Florida Studio Theatre Extends BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

Due to audience demand, Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces the extension of its opening Winter Mainstage production, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story by Alan Janes.

One of the most popular Rock & Roll musicals of all time, Buddy tells the inspiring story of the artist's remarkable journey to stardom and his lasting impact on popular music. Featuring over a dozen of Holly's greatest hits, such as "Peggy Sue" and "Oh Boy," brought to life by a cast of ten actor-musicians, Buddy is a high-energy celebration of a bespectacled kid from Texas who changed the face of Rock & Roll forever. Buddy­: The Buddy Holly Story is now held over through January 8 in FST's Gompertz Theatre. Tickets are on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.

"We are thrilled to extend Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," said Rebecca Hopkins, FST's Managing Director. "We're overwhelmed by the community's response to this show. They're hooked from the very first scene, and by the end, everyone is up on their feet, clapping, and dancing. It's exactly what we need after over a year without live theatre."

Called "Explosive" by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and "Vastly entertaining" by The Observer, Buddy is an inspiring musical that taps into Holly's determination and courage. At the start of his career, Buddy rejected expectations that he would become a country star and instead stayed committed to creating the music he loved: Rock & Roll. He also broke barriers when he was the first white act to play the Apollo Theatre, and when he married Maria Elena Santiago, a Puerto Rican-born woman he met at the New York offices of Peer-Southern music publishing company.

"In music and love, Holly refused to allow obstacles to stand in his way," said Jason Cannon, the show's director. "There's a level of cathartic encouragement in that message, and the entire cast delivers it with skill and joy every night!"

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story will now play through January 8 in FST's Gompertz Theatre. Tickets are on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000. FST's production is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The production is also supported by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Thank you to our media sponsors, ABC7 and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

The health and safety of FST's patrons, staff, volunteers, and artists are of the greatest importance to FST. Therefore, FST will be following all CDC guidelines. The most up-to-date list of measures the theatre is taking can be found at FloridaStudioTheatre.org.