FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE, Sarasota, Florida

Despite all the pandemic could throw at it, nothing could stop Florida Studio Theatre and its triumphant production of Buddy in winter 2021/22. Audiences in Sarasota were thrilled by the show, proving nothing quite beats the feeling of live theatre!

Testimonial:

“Directing FST’s 2021 production of Buddy was a joy, albeit an exhausting one! Never has “the show must go on” been more apt: our courageous and unflappable cast performed different iterations of the show over the course of its two-and-a-half month run, braving a pandemic and ever-shifting safety protocols, and understudy put-ins galore. Our audience couldn’t get enough. Every show ended with dancing in the aisles. Patrons returned to see the show four and five and six times. The timeless music and the glorious community that only theatre can create brought relief, release and happiness to our grateful audience. We’re so glad we got to produce this terrific show. It brought joy to a lot of people around here”
— Jason Cannon, Associate Artist, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota, Florida

Photos by John Jones (courtesy of Florida Studio Theatre)

Cast: Michael Perrie Jr. (Buddy Holly), Seth Eliser (Jerry Allison), Spiff Wiegand (Joe B. Mauldin), Ryan Halsaver (Hipockets Duncan and others), Danielle Erin Rhodes (Vi Petty and others), Monica Rodrigues (Maria Elena and others), Armando Gutierrez (Ritchie Valens and others), Jimmy Lewis (The Big Bopper and others), Jannie Jones (Marlena and others), and Troy Valjean Rucker (Tyrone and others).

Reviews:

BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at Florida Studio Theatre Brings Smiles Start to Finish
“Amazing… Timeless… Engaging… The audience [wants] the show to never end… Immense talent… First-rate… Perfect”
Broadway World

Remember When Rock Was Young? The music lives in ‘Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story’ at Florida Studio Theatre
“Sizzling… All about the music… Great musicians… Vastly entertaining… Inventive… Excellent”
The Sarasota Observer

Florida Studio Theatre turns Buddy Holly musical into a party
“Rousing… A party… Makes the music sound alive… Fun to watch… Wonderful… Exuberant… Explosive… Dynamic… The hits just keep coming… Gets audience members dancing in their seats and singing to old favorites”
Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Florida Studio Theatre Rocks Out with Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story
Show captures the excitement of Holly’s songwriting career.
“Music-packed… Talented… Inspired… Performed with great energy and skill”
Sarasota Magazine

Buddy is a big hit for Florida Studio Theatre
“Terrific… A lot of fun… First-rate”
Talkin’ Broadway

“Impressive… Powerful… Sparkling… Vivid… Exuberant… Spirited”
Total Theater

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