San Jose, CA -- June 12, 2012– San Jose Stage Company presents a Buddy Holly Tribute Concert at the legendary California theatre in downtown San Jose.
For three performances only as a special benefit performance for the Stage, the stories and music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valenz, and the Big Bopper will be performed. Not everyone knows that Waylon Jennings had a role in ‘the day the music died.’
The Buddy Holly Tribute Concert is the story of February 2, 1959, told through music as well as the narrative of Waylon Jennings, who gave up his seat on the airplane that crashed. Waylon will tell the story of the musicians, the music and the legend as it really happened.
Randall King, director of the Buddy Holly concert says of this show, “Buddy Holly, like Elvis, broke the rules of popular music and laid the foundation of rock and roll in a musical rebellion that continues to this day”
“Without Buddy and the Crickets, there would have been no Beatles.” Buddy is the guy who changed made music what it is today. The history of the evening that he died is legendary and this concert will tell the true story,” added King.
The lead role of Buddy Holly will be played by Travis Poelle. San Jose Stage Company originally co-produced "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," which ran for eleven weeks at The Stage* before transferring to San Francisco. Poelle received critical praise for his work as Buddy.
Also from San Jose is actor/singer Manuel Romero, who plays Ritchie Valenz. Also getting raves for this role, Romero has recently released a CD and has won a Latin Grammy.
Buddy Holly’s celebrated quote says it all, “If anyone asks you what kind of music you play, tell him ‘pop.’ Don’t tell him ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ or they won’t even let you in the hotel.”
Performances are Thursday, June 28 at 8 PM; Friday, June 29 with opening remarks and concert at 8 PM; and Sunday, July 1 at 3 PM.
Sponsorships are still available by calling The Stage and will include an exclusive VIP pre-show reception at the California Theatre for Friday’s performance.
Tickets are $75 and $100 and are available online at www.thestage.org or through the Box Office by calling 408.283.7142. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, and discounts are available for groups, students and seniors.
The California Theatre is located at 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose, CA and is handicapped accessible. The elaborate California Theatre opened in 1927 and is today one of the best preserved examples of historic movie houses of the ‘20s.
*Reviews for “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story”:
“Travis Poelle slings his Stratocaster like a Tommy gun while playing Holly as a defiant charmer” - San Jose Mercury News
“More than anyone else, Poelle carries the show...performing with a verve that delivers Holly’s passionate musicianship. He looks like Holly, and he rocks out irresistibly.” - San Francisco Chronicle
"Manuel Romero as Ritchie Valens had the audience roaring" - Metro
"Manuel Romero is a pitch-perfect Valens leading the ensemble on a rousing La Bamba" - San Francisco Chronicle
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SAN JOSE STAGE COMPANY
Founded in 1983, San Jose Stage Company is recognized as The Bay Area's Premiere Off-Broadway Theatre, and known for its devotion to new and cutting-edge work and for its commitment to showcasing high-quality local talent. In 1986, San Jose Stage Company set precedence as the first arts organization to negotiate and receive support from the Redevelopment Agency and the City of San Jose when over $500,000 was appropriated in support of the development of a new 200-seat theatre featuring a 3/4-thrust stage, which opened in 1990. Now in its 29th Season, SJSC continues to center its operations in this facility and has successfully produced over 138 productions and premiered 44 new works, including 11 world premieres and is acclaimed for maintaining high artistic standards, investing in local talent and supporting the region’s community of working artists while taking artistic risks. In addition to its core programming, San Jose Stage Company offers five core education and outreach programs and has housed over 200 independent performance groups. San Jose Stage Company is a vital force in the community and has earned a reputation for artistic excellence by providing high-quality, edgy theatrical experiences that engage, educate and provoke audiences. San Jose Stage Company serves an audience base of 30,000 and is recognized as a leader in the arts for a theatre of its size. For more information www.thestage.org
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