Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story comes to Theatre North West starting Nov. 21.
That'll Be The Day that Prince George audiences see the passion and enthusiasm Buddy Holly had for original rock 'n' roll.
This story by Alan Janes is the most successful rock 'n' roll musical in the world.
Theatre North West's show features Fraser Elsdon from Toronto as Buddy, Curtis Abriel as Joe B. Mauldin and Nigel McInnis as Jerry JI Allison, both from Prince George, as members of The Crickets, Holly's band.
Elsdon played the role at The Globe in Regina about a year and a half ago, so he said he's comfortable slipping into character again.
"This is a really great show and playing Buddy is a lot of fun," said Elsdon. "It's a big role with a lot of singing and the first time I did it I was concerned about being able to sing it all and do it and I was pleasantly surprised that it went perfectly well. The audiences' reactions were bigger than I thought and I think Prince George audiences will really love this one."
Elsdon said he finds Holly quite fascinating.
"His career was so short," he said. "He'd played music a long time but his recording career was only 18 months long and he accomplished a ton in that time."
By all accounts, Holly was very generous, polite and kind, said Elsdon.
"And he's also a bit of a bad ass and he wore glasses, which was nerdy," he added. "Rockers did not wear glasses at all at that time and he decided to own that as his signature instead of shying away from it. I think taking what you've got and using it is inspiring."
McInnis heard about the audition for Theatre North West while he was living in Vancouver in May and then when he returned to Prince George he was able to audition in June. He got word he got the part in July, keeping it in mind as he performed in Les Miserables and Evil Dead for Judy Russell.
McInnis's character, Jerry the drummer, is just a happy-go-lucky guy and a little naive.
"He's very young and interested in the ladies," laughed McInnis, who said it's a bit of a challenge to drum and sing at the same time.
Artistic director for Theatre North West, Samantha MacDonald, is director of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, and recruited Abriel for his role as band member Joe B. Mauldin.
Being back up vocals and playing bass has always been Abriel's comfort zone, he said.
"This role is definitely a bit of a stretch doing the acting," said Abriel.
To prepare for the role Abriel said he studied the music and got a real feel for the era.
"This has definitely given me a new perspective on how people approach musical theatre," said Abriel. "It's been enlightening. I am used to playing in bands where the music is the central focus and in the play there's a lot more going on."
"I want the audience have a sense that Buddy was a real person who lived a real life and made mistakes and did wonderful things," said Elsdon. "I want people to know it was a tragedy that he died. But I want them to feel like 'oh, I feel like I know him a little bit now'"
The show runs Nov. 21 to Dec. 11 at Theatre North West. Tickets at Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave. or call 250-614-0039.
