BUDDY HOLLY REFRESHED
Globe puts new spin on popular jukebox musical
BUDDY — THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY What: Globe Theatre production When: Jan. 30 — Feb. 10
Where: Casino Regina Show Lounge Danny Balkwill is under a little bit of pressure, even if he’s not willing to admit it.
Balkwill is directing Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story, a Globe Theatre production that opens Jan. 30 at the Casino Regina Show Lounge.
The pressure for Balkwill comes from the production following a highly successful version of the musical on the Globe Theatre’s main stage in 2012. That particular production played to 94.5 per cent capacity of the venue for its run of 57 performances.
Given the standard set by the 2015 production, it would only be natural to assume there are major expectations facing Balkwill and his team. Yet Balkwill, who was a cast member in the 2012 production, doesn’t feel that’s the case.
“The thing is this will be such a different experience,” Balkwill explained. “First of all, we’re in the casino, it’s the proscenium style theatre (as opposed to Globe’s theatre in the round), it’s a much different size — it seats a lot more people than at the Globe. It’s a different time of year, there’s a new cast, there are so many circumstances that have changed. They ’ve actually written some new scenes with different songs so it’ll be a different show. I’m treating it as its own show. With all the new elements I’m not comparing it to the other.
“There’s so many differences that you couldn’t really compare them.”
The musical first appeared on London’s West End in 1989. In the ensuing years, the writing staff has continually updated the production. When new information comes to light, the script gets tweaked, whether it be adding to a scene or including a new song.
“I’ve done the production before but there’s different scenes in this version than what was in my previous production,” said Balkwill. “So people that saw it before will come check this out because it’ll be a touch different than they remember.”
Written by Alan Jones, the production is a jukebox musical that follows the meteoric rise of Holly from a struggling musician in Lubbock, Texas, to rock and roll trailblazer. The two-act musical features over 20 songs, including hits like That’ll Be The Day, Not Fade Away, True Love Ways and Peggy Sue Got Married.
Holly’s discography serves as the foundation for the musical that requires intense commitment from the cast.
“It’s one of those things where you have to take care of it properly because everyone knows the music. You have to make sure you’re doing your due diligence,” said Balkwill. “The interesting part about this cast is that they’re all so multi-talented. We have them doing a bunch of things. You’ll see people switching back and forth between instruments, playing a bunch of different characters. We’re really using the cast to its full extent in the fact that we’re showing all the different things they can do. The music is exciting, it’s making sure that it’s got the heart of everything but we’re breathing some new energy and new life into it with all the different ways we’re approaching it. It makes for an exciting night.”
Al Braatz will be handling the role of Holly and Balkwill is confident he has what it takes to carry the production.
“Here’s a guy that I hope people come out and check out because they’re just going to fall in love with him,” said Balkwill. “He’s so charming, he plays the character so well. He has the absolute heart of Buddy. He’s got the right heart, he’s got the innocence, the right Southern gentleman air about him. He has the right fire as well. He’s perfect for the part. Al understands the magnitude of the role so he came into rehearsals knowing the information, knowing the songs backwards and forwards. He’s done his homework. He wants to do a great job and I’m confident he will.
“You need someone that the audience will find trust in right away and they want to follow and get on side with him. I feel he’s got those qualities in an abundance.”
Joining Braatz in the cast are Kevin Aichele, Darren Burkett, Paul Cournoyer, Jocelyn Gauthier, Galen Johnson, W. Joseph Matheson, Stewart Adam Mckensy, Alex Panneton, Jess Amy Shead and Lindsay Warnock.
The creative team is comprised of Balkwill, Julie Tomaino (choreographer), Craig Salkeld (music director), Drew Facey (set designer), Roger Schultz (costume designer), Wendy (Greenwood) Lundgren (lighting designer), Darren Burkett (assistant choreographer), Liz Campbell (stage manager) and Leigh McClymont (assistant stage manager).
With the show appearing at Casino Regina, patrons must be 19 years of age or older.
You’ll see people switching back and forth between instruments, playing a bunch of different characters.