Fulton Theatre's THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY Opens 4/24

Over fifty years ago, a bespectacled kid from Lubbock, Texas changed the face of popular music. Buddy Holly's meteoric rise to stardom was cut short when at the age of just 22 he died tragically in a plane crash. Fulton Theatre's production of Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story tells the tale of the three years in which he became the world's top recording artist.

The show promises to have audiences "dancing in the aisles" and is filled with such timeless hits as "Peggy Sue", "That'll Be the Day", "Rave On", "Everyday", "Oh Boy", "La Bamba", "Chantilly Lace", and many more.

Fulton Artistic Director Marc Robin, says "Buddy is the most successful rock & roll musical in the world. Fulton audiences are going to love this show... by the end of it, you feel like you were in the room when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper played their final concert!"

The production is helmed by actor turned director Donna Drake. Ms. Drake appeared on Broadway in the original production of A Chorus Line and later in Sophisticated Ladies, Woman of the Year and Wind in the Willows. More recently, she choreographed Catherine Zeta Jones for the American Film Institute Awards, 2009 and The AFI 2011 honoring Morgan Freeman and starring Betty White.

Buddy is one of the very few musicals produced at the Fulton without a pit orchestra because the show requires the actors to perform all the musical instruments in the show. In fact, Musical Director Aaron McAllister will be joining the other performers on stage as part of the ensemble. The Music Supervisor for the production is Michael Croiter, who is the percussionist and mixing engineer on Sesame Street and has performed on the original cast recordings of Matilda, Big Fish, and First Date, among others.

Andy Christopher leads the cast as Buddy Holly. His band, The Crickets, includes Joe Cosmo Cogen as Jerry Allison, and Sam Weber as Joe B. Maudlin. They are joined in the cast by Ryan Jagru as Ritchie Valens, Jayson Elliott as the 'Big Bopper' J.P. Richardson, Luke Darnell as Norman Petty, Lori Eure as Vi Petty, Steve Gagliastro as Hipockets Duncan, and Esther Stilwell as Buddy's wife Mary Elena.

The cast also features Chris Baron, Margaret Dudasik, Chris McBurney, Matthew J. Riordan, Troy Valjean Rucker, and Jayne Trinette.

The design team includes Scenic Designer Robert Andrew Kovach, Lighting Designer Jeffery S. Koger, Costume Designer Colleen Grady, Hair and Makeup Designer Anthony Lascoskie, Jr., Sound Designer Jacob Mishler, Props Designer Katelin Walsko, Stage Manager Mark Johnson and Assistant Stage Manager Rebekah Lashof.

Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story is Co-Produced by Burnham Holdings, Inc. and UGI. The Fulton's 2013/2014 Season is Co-Sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Buddy will run at the Fulton Theatre from April 22nd through May 11th. Official press opening is Thursday, April 24. Ticket prices range from $25 to $90 and are available through the Fulton Box Office at 717-397-7425 or online at www.thefulton.org.

Special Dates:
Pay What You Will Night
April 22, 7:30 pm
Pay-What-You-Will prices available at the box office window only starting at 5:30 the night of the performance.

Fig Preview Night
April 23, 7:30 pm
Before the show, starting at 6:30, mix, mingle and sample wares from local shops and eateries. Hosted by Fig Magazine.

Opening Night
April 24, 7:30 pm
Meet the Cast and Crew during a post-show reception to be held at Aussie and The Fox.

Teen Lounge
May 1, 5:00 pm, performance at 7:30 pm
Teens come before the show and meet with a member of the Fulton's Creative Team to discuss the current production and the unique challenges faced in mounting it. For Buddy: Musical Director Aaron McAllister. Reservations are required and cost $20, which includes admission to that evening's performance.

Thirsty for History Night
May 1, 6:30 pm, performance at 7:30 pm
Join LancasterHistory.org for an hour-long, pre-show reception to discuss the historical perspective of the performance. No additional charge with the price of general admission.

Wine and Theatre Night
May 2, 6:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm
Sample several varietals of wine from Napa Valley's Thorn Hill Vineyards before the show. Additional $10 per person. Tickets to the performance are sold separately.

Asides Lecture Series
May 7, 7:00 pm
Join us before the show to gain special insight about the performance. No charge with the price of general admission.