Buddy had audiences dancing in the aisles in 2008, becoming the biggest hit in the theatre's history. The show was such a success, SCT remounted the production the following year in Mason City, IA, as part of the 50th Anniversary commemoration of 'the Day the Music Died'. And a very special person joined the cast on stage for the encore! 

Testimonial:

“What a week it was! Such a neat experience for us! The space we performed in was beautiful - a far cry from our little theatre - and the audience was so into it, clapping and dancing for the entire Surf Ballroom scene! The topping on the cake was that Maria Elena was there in the third row, and during the encore between ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and ‘Oh Boy’ she came up on stage and gave a speech.

“She talked about how much Buddy would’ve been so happy that his music is remembered and celebrated the way it is, and how much she enjoyed our production. She said that our ‘Buddy Holly’ was her new ‘Buddy Holly’! She sang and danced the last number (‘Oh Boy’) up onstage with the cast, and stayed afterwards to sign programmes and take pictures with them. It was absolutely incredible and our cast is still floating.”
Cara Gerlock, Artistic Director, Spencer Community Theatre, Spencer, Iowa

Chad Elliott is joined onstage by Maria Elena Holly at the NIACC Auditorium in Mason City

Karli Frerichs (L) with Maria Elena Holly

Chad Elliott (Buddy) and Karli Frerichs (Maria Elena)

Photos: Cherie Elliott Christ

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