'Electrifying Tribute': Buddy Holly Musical Premieres In Long Beach Friday

LONG BEACH, CA — Friday, that'll be the day when audiences can experience what it was like to see rock and roll icon Buddy Holly take the stage.

"Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story" is running for a limited time from Friday through July 27 at the Carpenter Performance Arts Center in Long Beach.

“This is not your typical musical. It’s a celebration of one of the greatest pioneers in rock ‘n’ roll, and audiences will feel like they’re at a Buddy Holly concert,” Executive Producer of Musical Theatre West, Paul Garman, said in a press release in April. “With actors playing their own instruments live on stage, the energy is going to be unlike anything else. We’re thrilled to welcome fans of all ages to experience this electrifying tribute.”

The performance, which runs about two hours and twenty minutes, stars Will Riddle as Buddy Holly. Riddle, a Musical Theatre West alumnus, has delivered acclaimed performances before, including last year when he played Carl Perkins in "Million Dollar Quartet," according to the musical company.

The play was written by Alan Janes and follows Holly's rise through rock and roll fame and cultural icon through some of his most famous songs, including "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day."

Holly, along with Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson and a pilot, died in a plane crash in 1959. The day is widely regarded as "The Day the Music Died."

Tickets for the play are $20 and can be purchased here.

The Carpenter Performing Arts Center is located at 6200 E. Atherton St.