Interview: Actor Kyle Jurassic Talks 'BUDDY' at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater

By: Rich Mehrenberg Sep. 19, 2017

Interview: Actor Kyle Jurassic Talks 'BUDDY' at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater Image

KYLE JURASSIC (Buddy Holly) is elated to be making his Dutch Apple debut. BroadwayWorld recently spoke with Kyle about the production.

He is a graduate of Cornerstone University and holds Bachelor's of Music Performance. Kyle has performed at The Palace Theatre in Wisconsin, The Union Country Performing Arts Center, Hershey Park, Farmers Alley Theatre, and various theaters throughout Michigan. Previous credits include Rock of Ages, Catch Me if You Can, Spamalot, Forever Plaid, The Wedding Singer, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson!, Little Shop of Horrors, Altar Boyz, Avenue Q, Grease, and Hit Her with the Skates. Kyle lives in NYC with his lovely wife, Virginia, and would like to thank his wife, Hudson Artists Agency, and his family for their support.

Visit kylejurassic.com for more about Kyle.

BWW: In your opinion, what makes Buddy Holly such an iconic figure in rock 'n' roll history?

I think Buddy Holly is so Iconic because he was both an anomaly and a pioneer in Rock and Roll. He was so prolific in his short career that really only spanned 18-months, but he was able to write and record seven top 40 hits and so many more great songs. He also seemed to be a genuine optimist. He just knew that things were going to turn out for him because he had a vision and drive that you don't see in a lot of people in their late teens and early 20s.

BWW: What is your favorite Buddy Holly song, and why?

For me it's a tie between "Heartbeat" and "That'll Be The Day". I think listening to both of them really demonstrates Buddy's range and ability to write songs that don't all sound similar. They're both great songs, but if you didn't know any better you might think they were recorded by two different artists.

BWW: Do you prepare differently for this role than you would if you were portraying a similar fictional musical theater character like Danny Zuko? What is the difference between "imitation" and "impersonation"?

When I'm portraying a fictional character, I don't like to watch other people's performances so I can really make it my own. When I'm portraying a real, historical figure, however, I watch anything and everything I can get my hands on. Interviews, Live Performances, and I'll even watch other people's take on Buddy to see if they are seeing any idiosyncrasies that I might have missed.

I think when you're doing an impression of a person, you are leaning heavily into the strong quirks of the person and overemphasizing them. When you do that, you really lose the truth of the person. When you aim for imitation, you're striving for the truth behind the person. There is a place for both practices, but for a story like this, I'm always going for imitation over impersonation.

BWW: What is the most surprising thing that you learned about Buddy Holly while doing research for the show?

I was most surprised by the fact that Buddy Holly and The Crickets actually inspired The Beatles. So much so, that they changed their name from The Quarrymen to The Beatles, because they wanted an insect name like The Crickets. And the first recording they ever did, in 1958, was a cover of Buddy's "That'll Be The Day."

BWW: A fatal plane crash is not usual fodder for dinner theater. How does the show strike a balance between a celebration and a memorial of Holly's life?

Without giving away any spoilers for those who don't know much about Buddy, I think the show does a good job balancing the tragedy of his death with the celebration of his life. The show is a heartwarming tribute to his legacy. I think audiences will be pleased that we end the show on a high note, that will have you rocking and rolling the whole way home.

Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story is playing at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in Lancaster, PA September 28-November 11, 2017. Tickets and more information can be found at the theater's website, dutchapple.com.

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