Review: ‘Buddy Holly Story’ a nostalgic, pleasing tribute to legendary rocker

All the major elements are in place for a rockin’ good time at Theater League’s “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story” despite some distractions of cheesy, even amateurish, details of set decoration (large fake brick wall, a New York skyline that looks like recycled cardboard and a wavering white sheet that can’t convince us it’s a snow bank).

The music from the Lubbock, Texas, rocker who bridged the transition from country-western to rock ‘n’ roll and inspired countless later performers – notably The Beatles and the Rolling Stones – is key, of course. And with more than 30 tunes strung together into what creator Alan Janes has dubbed a “jukebox musical,” this rousing, raucous event is both exciting and nostalgic.

Holly’s meteoric story is tailor-made for drama. Indeed, if it weren’t true, most would probably think it improbable. Holly came to radio attention at age 19 in his hometown, impetuously walked out on a Nashville recording contract to do music “his way,” married his wife after a whirlwind – some say only five-hour – courtship, became the first white performer to bring down the house at New York’s Apollo Theater and, just as he was poised to hit big internationally, died in a plane crash over Iowa at the age of 22.

His career lasted a mere 18 months, but he left a legacy of songs like “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “It’s So Easy to Fall in Love,” “Not Fade Away” and “True Love Ways” that are still played today and recognized by new generations.

New York actor Todd Meredith whips up a likable, enthusiastic performance as Holly, giving him just the right degree of gawkiness and geekiness to fit his bespectacled image but also giving him an intensity that catches your eye and ear. Make no mistake, Holly was no sex symbol like Elvis. But he had a certain down-home charisma that made him approachable and comfortable, and Meredith captures that well.

Meredith, who has done this role 17 times as well as fronting a Holly tribute band, sounds the part as we remember Holly from classic records. It’s not exact. Meredith re-creates Holly’s aura but injects his own touch because he’s not impersonating him. He creates a living tribute that’s satisfying.

While the rock is good, the highlights for me come when Meredith goes intimate and acoustic for “True Love Ways” and “Raining in My Heart.” He is mesmerizing and haunting.

Other performances of note are Mike Brennan as the Big Bopper and Eddie Maldonado as Ritchie Valens, two performers who appeared with Holly in his final concert at Clear Lake, Iowa, and died with him in the crash. Brennan suits the jovial, bigger-than-life persona with a wickedly naughty laugh for “Chantilly Lace,” and Maldonado is a compact, sexy powerhouse as he combines hip swivels with strut for “La Bamba.”

Also catchy are Martin Murray, who has a wonderfully deep, mellifluous radio voice for Texas DJ Hi-Pockets Duncan, and David Reed, whose spotlessly clean tenor makes for mellow appeal as a snazzy, jazzy Apollo host and performer.

Directed by Steve Steiner with almost a filmmaker’s eye for quick-cut editing, the show has a surprisingly brisk pace. He dispenses with fadeouts in favor of sudden blackouts punctuated by spotlights popping up all over the stage for quick comments from characters providing key details to speed the story along. The two-hour show, which segues from charming and amusing bio into re-created highlights of Holly’s final performance, is over before you’re ready to let it go.

This story was originally published March 3, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Review: ‘Buddy Holly Story’ a nostalgic, pleasing tribute to legendary rocker."