Experience the Unforgettable FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: In-Fin Tuan, 651.292.4323 x106 October 28, 2014 [email protected] "Hell… it’s only rock & roll. It’s the music everybody wants to hear, man!" – Buddy Holly, 1956 History Theatre and McNally Smith College of Music are proud to bring back the wildly popular Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story A toe-tapping, hand-clapping musical celebration of Buddy Holly SAINT PAUL, MN – History Theatre will partner with McNally Smith College of Music to produce Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story that is part biography, part rock ‘n’ roll concert celebration of the talented, passionate, and impulsive musician. The show, follows the bespectacled musician’s all-too-brief career from a rebellious country singer to a rock ‘n’ roll icon and pioneer in the 1950s, ending with the unforgettable concert with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper in Clear Lake, Iowa – the day the music died. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story will open November 22 with Nicholas Freeman as Buddy. Buddy crossed racial barriers with his music and left an indelible legacy in just four short years. The performance features 24 hit songs, including “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy!,” “Rave On,” and “That’ll Be the Day.” The incredible cast of musicians features Nicholas Freeman as Buddy Holly; Ryan Janssen (bass), Zach Spicer (drums), and Blake Foster (lead guitar) as The Crickets; Andrea San Miguel as Maria Elena Holly; Charles Fraser as Norman Petty; and Allen Malicsi as Ritchie Valens. The role of The Big Bopper will be played by Brant Miller this time around. Ivey Award-winning Musical Director (Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story) and Twin Cities legend Gary Rue directs our band of rockers. Choreographer Jan Puffer recreates the excitement and feel of the late 1950s with our young dance company from the St. Paul Conservatory of Performing Artists. It’s an all-out rock ‘n roll party in our intimate 579-seat house. You’ll rock with the incredible music of one of the legends from the golden era of rock ‘n roll. “We are thrilled to bring back the all-time History Theatre box-office smash Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” shares director Ron Peluso. “It’s a partnership that continues with McNally Smith College of Music where our cast consists of four students and now 3 alumni from the 2010-11 production.” According to original Cricket member Sonny Curtis of the History Theatre’s production of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, “This is the best of all the Buddy performance I’ve seen!” Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story Opens: Saturday, November 22, 2014 Through: Sunday, December 21, 2014 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays @ 8:00 p.m. (No performance 11/27/14) Thursday 10:00am matinees: 11/25/14, 12/4/14, 12/11/14, 12/18/14 Sundays @ 2:00 p.m. ASL/AD performance:11/ 12/7/14 at 2:00 p.m. (continued) TICKETS: Adults: $25-$45; Seniors (60+ years): $20-$43. Students (with valid college ID): $15.00; Children (up to 18 years old): $10.00 Discount rates are available for groups of 12 or more. Call 651-292-4320. History Theatre Box Office at 651.292.4323 or www.historytheatre.com/tickets/ Location: History Theatre, 30 East 10th Street, St. Paul, MN For directions and parking information visit: http://www.historytheatre.com/directions_and_parking/ Photos are available. Please email [email protected] for photos. About the Play Buddy Holly (a.k.a. Charles Hardin Holley) was not only extremely talented, but relentless in his pursuit of his music. In a time when rock 'n’ roll was demonized by many Buddy stood his ground and hung on to his principles. In doing so, he rose to the top of the charts in less than two years! Buddy Holly’s brief life has become the stuff of legend. With Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, writers Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson have created a celebration of that legend which catches the unique mixture of innocence, determination, humor, and charm that epitomized the emergence of rock ‘n’ roll into the American mainstream during the 1950s. History Theatre is thrilled to once again partner with McNally Smith College of Music and the St. Paul Conservatory of Performing Artists (SPCPA). This rock ‘n’ roll musical provides the perfect opportunity for artists and students from all three organizations to explore the origins of the music and dance that we know and love today while celebrating the contributions of a remarkably talented artist who started to change the way America listened to music when he was only 20 years old. By pooling the strengths of these three dynamic St. Paul arts organizations History Theatre will tell a story about an iconic American figure, McNally Smith students will channel their study of contemporary music and the recording industry into a unique performance experience, and students in the dance and musical theater programs at SPCPA will bring the energy and youth of Buddy’s fans onto the stage and into the aisle while getting to work alongside professional artists in both the theatre and music industries. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is produced by arrangement with writer Alan Janes. The show has enjoyed enormous success in London (where it ran for 18 years on the West End) and around the world. Buddy will once again be directed by Ron Peluso with music direction from Gary Rue (assisted by Andrew Fleser), choreographed by Jan Puffer, with scenic design by Justin Hooper, costume design by Lynn Farrington, lighting design by Chris Johnson, properties design by Kirby Moore, and stage managed by Janet L. Hall (assisted by Diane Foss). Starring Nicholas Freeman as Buddy Holly; Ryan Janssen, Zach Spicer, and Blake Foster as The Crickets; Charles Fraser and Laurie Flanigan as Norman and Vi Petty; Andrea San Miguel as Maria Elena Holly; Lynnea Monique Doublette and Munyaradzi Tirivepi as Apollo headliners, and featuring Brant Miller as The Big Bopper and Allen Malicsi as Ritchie Valens. The cast also includes Nathaniel Brelsford, Samuel Castillo, Nic Delcambre, Johannah Easley, Lexis Galba, Alicia Trice, Fiona Steen, Lailah Reynolds, Noah Ratgen, Bryan Porter, Mackinnley Moren, Miriah Trim, and Ian Udulutch. (continued) Special Events ‘50s Winter Dance Party Saturday, December 13, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Celebrate with live entertainment and hit songs of the ‘50s. Drink specials and snacks included. Group dance lessons from 5-5:30 p.m. $15 (does not include a show ticket) Afterthoughts Discussion Series Sundays: 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 at 4:00 p.m. Patrons are invited to join a discussion series that will immediately follow Sunday matinees. Afterthoughts will feature guest speakers and the artists who brought Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story to life on the stage. Check www.HistoryTheatre.com for a schedule and details about special guests and topics. Free About History Theatre Since 1978, the History Theatre Experience has created: • Inspiration. The History Theater Experience brings real stories about real people to the stage in an immediate experience that touches our lives. • 116 world premiere performances, more than any other theater in the Twin Cities. The History Theatre is one of the country’s most impressive new play development homes – bringing to full production new work by Jeffrey Hatcher, Melanie Marnich, Craig Wright, Kim Hines, Dorie Baizley, John Olive, Kira Obolensky, and more. • Brave, entertaining explorations of all the histories that make up our diverse community. From Farm Boys to Snapshots: Life in the City, from the celebratory Wellstone! to the dark, complex Piece of the Rope about Minnesota’s first public execution, HT has moved Minnesotans to rediscover, relive, and respect every piece of their history. More than 200,000 students have connected with history through performances at HT. ACCESSIBLITY History Theatre is equipped with an FM hearing enhancement system. We offer ASL interpreted and Audio Described performances. We have complimentary wheelchairs for those patrons who need extra assistance into the building. The handicap-accessible entrance is on Cedar St. Just inside the entrance is an elevator that will take patrons to the theatre level. Patrons are asked to indicate any special needs that when ordering tickets. Complete Performance Schedule Attached (continued) History Theatre Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story Performance Schedule, 2014 Thursday November 20 Preview 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 21 Preview 8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22 Dinner 5:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22 Opening 8:00 p.m. Sunday, November 23 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 28 8:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 29 8:00 p.m. Sunday, November 30 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 4 10:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 5 8:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 7 ASL/AD 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 11 10:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 12 8:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 18 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 19 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20 2:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21 Closing 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. AD/ASL = Audio Description & American Sign Language interpreted performance ### .