Starring Will Riddle in the titular role, the cast of Musical Theatre West’s production of Buddy served up an absolute treat for Long Beach audiences at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in summer 2025!
Reviews:
MUSICAL THEATRE WEST’S ‘BUDDY — THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY’ ROCKS THE STAGE
“…supercharged talent. It’s a play, rock concert and party in one… Definitely go!
“Key to the show’s success is actor-musician Will Riddle’s embodiment of Buddy Holly… each cast member brings their all to each role, as directed and choreographed by Keith Andrews, with music direction by Ryan O’Connell. Janaya Mahealani Jones threatens to steal the show as Marlena Madison singing — or rather, soulfully belting — ‘Shout’ with Tyrone Jones (Justin Marriel Boyd).
“…the show becomes a celebratory party for all, with Holly and his musical compadres not just honored but brought to life, their infectious energy and sound lingering long after the show ends.”
—Anita W. Harris, Long Beach Post
“…the 1950s rock and roll legend lives on in Long Beach in the person of dazzling quadruple-threat phenom Will Riddle in Musical Theatre West’s rousing revival…
“Flairfully directed and choreographed for MTW by Keith Andrews, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story wins over its audience from the country-and-western tunes that start off the show, to The Crickets’ first hit, ‘That’ll Be The Day’ and those that followed, to the grand finale that has audience members up on their feet dancing along to ‘Johnny B. Goode’.
“Instantly likable and utterly convincing as the still-a-teen-when-we-meet-him Buddy, Riddle holds the audience in the palm of his hand from the get-go, scarcely if ever leaving the stage, and like the rock and roll icon himself, displays infectious charm, down-home good nature, and a combination of zest and zeal that proves irresistible, not to mention Riddle plays a mean guitar…
“Holly’s backup band, The Crickets, are brought to vibrant life by Omar D. Brancato as Joe B. Mauldin, who plays the double bass like nobody’s business even while riding it in one Kamasutra position after another, Laura Leo Kelly, who shows off both drum pizzazz and aw-shucks comedic chops as Jerry Allison, and an engaging Chase Ramsay, who strums expertly as occasional Cricket Tommy Allsup.
“Mexican-Afghan-American charmer Ali Márquez-Qadiri is on fire as Ritchie Valens, his own youthful exuberance reminding us that the Chicano groundbreaker was a heartbreakingly young seventeen-year-old when he got on that plane, and Trent Mills is equally impressive as the music giant who called himself The Big Bopper, bringing the house down with a powerhouse ‘Chantilly Lace’. (Like pretty much everyone in the show’s featured cast, the power pair appear in multiple memorable cameos each)…
“Justin Marriel Boyd reveals R&B power pipes alongside Jones as Apollo Theater DJ Tyrone Jones, David Kirk Grant is a folksy delight as radio DJ Hi-Pockets Duncan, and Ryan DeNardo and Elizabeth Curtin are topnotch too as record producer Norman Petty and piano-playing wife Vi…
“Kevin Clowes’s expansive set design transforms into multiple U.S. locales; Greer Gardner’s costumes, Miranda Vazquez’ props, and Garrett Ruiz’s wigs recreate fifties fashions, doodads and dos to nostalgic effect; Paul Black’s lighting varies impressively from realistic indoor lighting for recording studio sessions to a pizzazzier look for concert performances; and Danny Fiandaca’s sound design provides a crystal-clear mix of live vocals and instrumentals…
“There is literally no one too old to enjoy Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, and no one too young to be enraptured with the timeless music of this much-lamented legend. If there ever was a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, Musical Theatre West’s Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is it.”
—Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA
‘BUDDY HOLLY STORY’ A SMASH HIT FOR MUSICAL THEATRE WEST (abridged)
“MTW is the only theatre in the Los Angeles area completely devoted to musical theatre. It is firmly rooted in the community. This is the best musical I have seen all year.
“Keith Andrews directs and choreographs the actors who perform the music live with the energy and movement of a rock and roll concert… Nothing can compare to the intimacy of a live onstage band and the musicianship of the central trio: Buddy Holly and The Crickets, with Will Riddle as Buddy Holly; Omar D. Brancato as Joe B. Maudlin; and Laura Leo Kelly as Jerry Allison. They are stunning as the heartbeat of this production… They are supported by an equally impressive ensemble cast of actor musicians doubling up on roles. Kudos to everyone.
“Run – don’t walk – to the final performances of The Buddy Holly Story.”
—Alistair Hunter, The Downey Patriot
FEATURING A STAR PERFORMANCE BY THE CHARISMATIC WILL RIDDLE, THIS LIVE MUSIC-FOCUSED JUKEBOX MUSICAL TRACES THE RISE OF ONE OF ROCK-AND-ROLL’S EARLY PIONEERS (abridged)
“…exceedingly spectacular… rousing… explosively-rendered live on-stage performances of more than 20 classic songs which highlights Holly’s spirit of youthful ambition and innovation that defined his lasting legacy.
“non-stop parade of high-energy performances marked by an undeniable authentic rock sound, which is further propelled by having every single actor on stage playing their own instruments live. It’s an awesome thing, for sure…
“…the charming and undeniably ferocious (Will) Riddle channels Holly’s tenacious bravura and audacious swagger and, of course, his natural talents with a head-to-toe embodiment of a genuine rock-and-roll superstar that makes it quite irresistible to look away from him. His voice and his overall vibe is just so incredible that you have to wonder if the ghost of the real Holly has leapt onto his body… Proving that a show is at its best when an entire cast gels to the material, Riddle is surrounded by equally-talented fellow actor-musicians…”
“Unlike other traditional musical productions that employ heard-but-not-seen pit orchestras to accompany the actors, Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story casts actor-musicians to perform all the music live on stage—at times even switching instruments depending on what role they’re playing.
“…this ‘live performance’ element injects a fun, visceral, concert-like energy throughout the entire show… converting the Carpenter Center into a communal rock-and-roll space with some of the most talented musicians you’ll ever see on a stage.
“…Surprisingly enough, it’s a show that bridges generations through Holly’s infectious music…
“…incredibly entertaining… a joyous, crowd-pleasing celebration of a music legend… If you’re looking for a feel-good musical with fierce live performances, this show should definitely fit the bill.”
—Michael Quintos, BroadwayWorld (Los Angeles)
“The whole cast is simply brilliant. And could there be a better Buddy Holly than Will Riddle? I don’t think so. The passion of a bespectacled young man in his teens and early twenties, whose youth refuses to believe in boundaries, is perfectly exemplified by the beautifully authentic performance of Mr. Riddle. His all-in performance will definitely stick with you – you’ll be talking about this one for many days ahead.
“But what’s astounding, and what many people in the audience did not expect, is the technical skill of this cast. All are excellent musicians and singers, and all more than capable of carrying out this fantastic hit parade of a show… They are truly rocking. And they are having fun. It is raw. It is exciting. And it is great theater.”
—Chris Daniels, The Show Report
Photos by TAKE Creative
Opening night audiences Rave On about the production!
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