Pieter Toerien presents a brand-new, full-scale stage production of the hit rock ‘n roll jukebox musical, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, live onstage at the Artscape Opera House, from 28 March to 16 April 2023 and The Teatro at Montecasino from 21 April to 28 May 2023.
Directed by internationally renowned English director and choreographer, Nick Winston (Bonnie and Clyde, Fame, Cats, Chess, We Will Rock You! and Annie), this tribute musical follows the journey of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to the top of the record charts during the golden days of rock ‘n’ roll.
Leading an all-South African cast is singer-songwriter Jethro Tait in the title role. The ensemble includes top South African talent: Bethany Dickson (Matilda – The Musical, Grease, The Sound Of Music) and Keaton Ditchfield (Evita, Saturday Night Fever, West Side Story), with Michael Stray, Chad Baai, Simone Neethling, Gianluca Gironi, Thoko Jiyane, Che-Jean Jupp, Gerard Van Rooyen, Koketso Mere, Gabriela Dos Santos, Vituous Kandemiri, Sindiswa Ndlovu, and Morgan Marshall.
Original set and costume designs are by Fleur du Cap winner, Niall Griffin (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Hedwig And The Angry Inch, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), and musical direction is by Wessel Odendaal (The Phantom Of The Opera, Here’s To You – The Simon And Garfunkel Songbook, Avenue Q, The Sound Of Music).
Buddy Holly background
Buddy Holly started as a country and western singer in Texas, and with his two friends, formed The Crickets. With the support of local radio D.J. Hipockets Duncan, Buddy shot to stardom in 1957. In 1959 he died tragically in a plane crash, alongside Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper). It was a tragedy that shook the world, and as the legend says, “it was the day the music died”.
The show features classic songs such as That’ll Be The Day, True Love Ways, Oh Boy, Peggy Sue, Chantilly Lace, La Bamba, Johnny B. Goode and many, many more.
What: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Where and when:
Artscape, Cape Town from 28 March to 16 April 2023. Book through webtickets.co.za or the Theatre box office on 021 438 3300/1
The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg from 21 April to 28 May 2023. Book through webtickets.co.za or the Theatre box office on 011 511 1818.
WS
