SCT reprises hit show 'Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story'

(File Photo) "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" tells the story of the three years in which Buddy Holly became the world's top recording artist with a show that features over 20 of Buddy Holly's greatest hits

Spencer Community Theatre has been invited to reprise the hit musical "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," as part of the Winter Dance Party festivities celebrating the life and music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper.

"Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" premiered at SCT in February 2008 to sold-out houses and an extended run. Word about the show spread to Clear Lake, where a Winter Dance Party is held every year to commemorate the lives of the great musicians who played their last concert at the Surf Ballroom before the tragic accident.

This February marks the 50th anniversary of that final concert, and a week of plays, symposiums, and concerts make up this year's 50th Anniversary Winter Dance Party. SCT has been invited to be a part of the exciting Festival and will be re-mounting and performing "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," as part of the festival at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1 with a special Preview Fundraiser Performance in Spencer at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.

"Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" tells the story of the three years in which Buddy Holly became the world's top recording artist with a show that features over 20 of Buddy Holly's greatest hits including "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be The Day," "Oh Boy," "Rave On," "Heartbeat," "Maybe Baby," "Raining In My Heart," as well as Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba" and the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace" all performed live on stage.

This feel-good musical has garnered worldwide praise and numerous prestigious awards and nominations, including (but not only): two Laurence Olivier Awards (one for Best Musical), a Tony Award, and two Outer Circle Awards.

"Buddy" follows the tragically short life of Buddy Holly from his first recording contract, his marriage to a young Puerto Rican girl named Maria Elena, through to his move to New York and concluding with the fatal tour of the Midwest. This show is not to be missed as Buddy sings his way through two hours of some of the best rock 'n' roll songs ever written.

"Buddy" is directed by veteran SCT directors Jan Edmondson and Kathy Krebsbach with Musical Direction by Amy Knoup.

The large cast features Chad Elliott (Beauty and the Beast, Music Man, and Pump Boys & Dinettes) as Buddy Holly, Scott Meier (It's A Wonderful Life, My Way) as the Big Bopper, and Karli Frerichs (Beauty and the Beast, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress) as Maria Elena.

(File Photo) Buddy Holly (Chad Elliott) and the Crickets perform one of many featured songs in "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story." The show will return to the stage with a special performance at the Winter Dance Party in Clear Lake as well as a fundraising performance in Spencer.

"Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" has been dubbed the ultimate feel-good musical by critics throughout the world. Over 17 million people have come to see "Buddy" all across the globe- many more people than the real Buddy Holly ever had the chance to perform to! The young man with the glasses whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period has enjoyed, via this show, a longevity that was denied him in 1959.

The Winter Dance Party performance of "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" debuts in the state-of-the-art theatre of Northern Iowa Area Community College campus in Mason City.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Jan. 12, and can be reserved through the Surf Ballroom at (641) 357-6151. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.surfballroom.com. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door if seats are still available. Surf Ballroom box office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information, please visit the Spencer Community Theatre website for more information at www.spencercommunitytheatre.com.

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Special Preview Fundraiser scheduled in Spencer

SCT will be holding a one-night-only Preview Fundraising performance at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 at the Old Middle School Auditorium in Spencer. This will be the chance for the talented cast to share this exciting show with an audience before performing at the Winter Dance Party. While the technical elements will be modified from the original production, audiences will still enjoy the same great music and compelling story. All funds raised will go toward performance venues while the SCT Playhouse undergoes renovations next season.

Tickets for the Spencer preview performance of "Buddy" are $20 and go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 13 for contributing members; Jan. 16 for season ticket holders, and Jan. 20 for the general public. Tickets may be reserved through the SCT Box Office at 262-7336. Box office hours for this production are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.