Testimonial:
“A bona fide hit!! The Buddy Holly Story was one of the all-time highest selling productions in Riverside Center history. Our audiences were on their feet every night rockin’ and rollin’. We cannot wait to bring it back”
— Patrick A'Hearn, Producing Artistic Director, Riverside Center, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Review:
“Like most people my age, before I prepared for this review, I knew that Buddy Holly was a famous singer from the '50s who died young in a tragic plane crash, and that Weezer, a popular band with my generation, wrote a hit song about him. While I’m always excited to visit Riverside Center for the Performing Arts (their reputation for presenting the “Best Broadway in Virginia” is well deserved and consistent), I expected excellent performances and vocals, of course, but did not expect that this show would become one of my all-time favorite theater experiences!
“...Todd Meredith’s performance as Buddy Holly, a determined young singer who refused to submit in a repressive environment, was one of the most effervescent I’ve seen… Singer Kadejah Oné amps up the crowd with a high-energy performance of “Shout,” easily one of the best songs of the night, sung from one of the best voices… The Apollo performance is incredible, and made even better by Lighting Designer Michael Jarett, who uses creative spotlighting and a glittery disco ball to shake up the atmosphere.
“…alongside friends and fellow stars The Big Bopper (Ian Lane, who has the audience clapping along to the beat with his song “Chantilly Lace,”) and Ritchie Valens (Daniel Carabello, who steals the spotlight with his hit “La Bamba”)… (t)he (Clear Lake) concert is a whirlwind of energy, and the thrill is contagious – a dance floor at the base of the stage invites audience members to get up and dance along to numbers such as “Raining in My Heart” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Truly, the scene is so enjoyable that you almost forget the black cloud that is hanging over the concert – because as history tells us, these three get on a plane after the show only to have their brilliant flames blown out in a tragic and cruel twist of fate.
“Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ production of
The Buddy Holly Story is musical theatre at its very best. The expert technical crew and outstanding ensemble makes this a thrilling night of entertainment! I’m told tickets are going fast, so grab a seat while you can!”
— Julia L. Exline, DC Metro Theatre Arts
*****
Photos: Suzanne Carr Rossi/The Free Lance-Star
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