Get Ready to Bop with Buddy!

Regional Premier of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story rocks Tuacahn's Hafen Theatre Sharing the life of a rock and roll legend whose flame burned brightly, but was snuffed out all too soon, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story features more than 20 of Buddy Holly's songs and a talented cast playing all their own instruments live on stage in a production that is part biopic, part rock concert and full professional musical theater at its finest. "I am thrilled!" Andrew Harvey said of the chance to perform as the lead role in the indoor Hafen Theatre at Tuacahn this summer. "I'm excited to bring some rock and roll to the people of Utah." And while Harvey's own rise through the ranks may not be as epic as Holly's infamous trajectory, Harvey said he certainly looks to Holly as an inspiration for his own aspirations in both music and theater. "I'm very much inspired by his drive," Harvey said. "He accomplished so much in such a short amount of time and so much of his music has persisted. I wish I could say it was my goal to match that, but I think I would burn out trying to keep up. He was so prolific." "It was a few years ago, but Buddy was the first show I ever did professionally," Harvey said. "I would hope I'm an even better performer, a better guitarist than I was back then. I can't wait to take another crack at it and really dig into the music." In preparation for his time at Tuacahn - and just because he enjoys it - Harvey has a Spotify playlist going on repeat that features many of Buddy Hollys' songs, as well as hits by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and more. "I'm definitely into the musical style of this show," Harvey said. When he's not gearing up to portray Buddy Holly, and finishing classes in time for college graduation, Harvey also plays drums in a local band, so he can relate to his fellow cast members, many of whom play multiple instruments throughout the show. That's where expertise from people like Musical Director Angela Howell comes in. 
"The show was originally written for a cast of 32, but often its produced with 14-18 people," Howell said. "The actors have to be capable of telling the story and comfortable playing cello in the first act and drums in act two, for example." Finding that kind of talent can be difficult, but Howell said she is thrilled they've done it for the Tuacahn production. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story runs June 24 to Aug. 13 inside the Hafen Theatre at Tuacahn. For tickets log onto www.tuacahn.org or call the box office at 435-652-3300.