NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE
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​​* Graphic image of Zachary Stevenson as Buddy based on a photo by David Cooper
RETURN TO MAIN SHOW PAGE
Act I

The action takes place in Lubbock, Texas; Clovis, New Mexico; New York City and Clear Lake, Iowa; between January 1956 and February 1959.

With the support of local Lubbock Texas radio DJ, Hipockets Duncan, Buddy and his two friends form a Country & Western band – Buddy Holly & the Crickets – and begin to carve out a career in music. After a difficult start at Decca Records in Nashville, they sign a contract with up-and-coming, innovative record producer Norman Petty who is based in Clovis, New Mexico. Within hours, Buddy Holly & the Crickets start to churn out hits from the recording studio built in Norman's backyard, among them "That'll Be The Day", which will rocket up the charts to number one in a matter of weeks. Buddy Holly & the Crickets are suddenly the hottest act in the country and out on national tour.

Buddy and his band go to New York where they perform at the Apollo Theater making history as the first white band to perform there.

Act II

While recording in New York, Buddy proposes to Maria Elena Santiago, the Puerto Rican receptionist of his music publisher after a courtship of all of five hours. Newly married and ambitious, he shifts focus to New York and a rift develops between him and the Crickets. After a declaration of home truths during a recording session, the band split and Buddy unexpectedly finds himself having to pursue a solo career.

Buddy joins The Winter Dance Party of 1959, a bus tour through the Midwest quenching the teenage thirst for the "new music called Rock 'n' Roll" The tour is hard work, the weather conditions appalling and the performers are alternating between sleeping in the luggage racks and dropping into hospital to be treated for frostbite.

The story ends on February 3, 1959, after a rocking concert with the "Big Bopper" J.P. Richardson and Ritchie Valens at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Buddy makes the fateful decision to break his promise to his pregnant wife not to fly, as he and the other two headliners board a small plane and take off into the night destined for their next show. During a snow storm, in the dead of night, the plane crashes and spares no survivors.

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MASK POLICY: North Shore Music Theatre has lifted the indoor mask mandate for all of the upcoming scheduled shows - however masks are still strongly encouraged for the safety of our casts, staff, and audiences. North Shore Music Theatre reserves the right to change this policy at anytime should COVID protocols need to be put back into place or by artists request. Any changes in entry requirements will be provided on individual event pages as well as outlined in pre-show communications.
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​VISIT ALL THREE OF BILL HANNEY'S ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATIONS!

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© 2023 NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE  |  54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915
   PHONE: 978.232.7200   |  FAX: 978.232.9999  |   EMAIL:  northshoremusictheatre@nsmt.org  | Privacy Policy
All photos © Paul Lyden except where otherwise noted.

  • Home
  • SHOWS
    • SUBSCRIBE 2023
    • BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical
    • THE SOUND OF MUSIC
    • ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE
    • THE FULL MONTY
    • ELVIS: A Musical Revolution
    • A CHRISTMAS CAROL 2023
    • CONCERTS & EVENTS
    • KIDS SHOWS
    • ROMEO AND JULIET
    • SCHOOL SHOWS
    • Out at the North Shore
  • BUY ONLINE
  • AUDITIONS
  • BOX OFFICE
    • HOURS & INFO
    • TICKET & PACKAGE INFO >
      • SINGLE TICKET PRICES
      • 5-SHOW SUBSCRIPTIONS
      • 3-SHOW TRIO PACKAGE
      • VIP UPGRADES
    • GROUP TICKETS (10+)
    • ACCESSIBILITY
    • TICKET DONATION REQUEST
    • DIRECTIONS
    • SEATING
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
    • PROMOTIONS
    • EMAIL CLUB
    • 2023 BROCHURES
  • EDUCATION
    • OVERVIEW
    • ADULTS
    • AUDITION WORKSHOP
    • KIDS & TEENS
    • SUMMER INTENSIVES
    • FAQ
  • FOOD
    • CONCESSIONS & BAR
    • GARDEN BISTRO GRILL
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT NSMT >
      • Land Acknowledgement
    • WHO'S WHO
    • PRESS
    • CORPORATE PARTNERS
    • EMPLOYMENT
    • AUDITIONS 2023 >
      • NYC AUDITIONS
      • LOCAL AUDITIONS
    • HISTORY OF NSMT
    • PAST MUSICALS >
      • 2016 SEASON >
        • FUNNY GIRL
        • MARY POPPINS
        • SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
        • SPAMALOT
        • WEST SIDE STORY
        • A CHRISTMAS CAROL '16
      • 2017 SEASON >
        • THE MUSIC MAN
        • Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
        • YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
        • EVITA
        • 42ND STREET
        • A CHRISTMAS CAROL '17
      • 2018 SEASON >
        • MAME
        • PETER PAN
        • MAMMA MIA!
        • JEKYLL & HYDE
        • HAIRSPRAY
        • A CHRISTMAS CAROL '18
      • 2019 SEASON >
        • OKLAHOMA!
        • Disney's FREAKY FRIDAY
        • JERSEY BOYS
        • SUNSET BOULEVARD
        • THE BODYGUARD
        • A CHRISTMAS CAROL '19
      • 2021 SEASON >
        • MAMMA MIA! - 2021 ENCORE
        • A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 30th ANNUAL PRODUCTION
      • 2022 SEASON >
        • SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE
        • Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA
        • BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY
        • LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
        • KINKY BOOTS
        • A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 31st Annual Production
    • PAST CONCERTS
  • CONTACT
    • CONTACT NSMT
    • CONTACT BILL HANNEY DIRECTLY