Fort Peck Summer Theatre celebrates Buddy Holly

On Stage
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The world’s no. 1 “jukebox musical” explodes onto the Fort Peck Summer Theatre stage for three weekends only, June 13-29. Following the record-breaking “All Shook Up” and “Ring of Fire,” audiences are sure (and encouraged) to dance in the aisles at “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” featuring over 30 of rock ’n roll’s biggest hits, including “Johnny B Goode,” “Chantilly Lace,” “La Bamba,” “That’ll Be the Day” and “Rave On.”

The family-friendly musical, bursting with energy, follows the career of Buddy Holly, who at just 19 years of age, was credited for inspiring the careers of The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, among many others.

Directed by FPST Artistic Director Andy Meyers, alongside musical director Luree Green-Chappell and choreographer Megan Wiltshire, “Buddy” features a cast of 25 who also double as the production’s onstage band. Leading the company is Patrick Cook as Buddy Holly, who directed “The 39 Steps: during the 2012 season. He is surrounded by actors portraying many iconic personalities of American music, including Evan Goldhahn, Colton Swibold and Morgan Phelps as The Crickets, John Knispel as Ritchie Valens, Stephen Brunson as The Big Bopper, Maria Miller as Buddy’s wife Maria Elena, and Nick Dirkes and Green-Chappell as music producers Norman and Vi Petty.

Also featured are Jamie Parnell, Quinn Vaira, Chanel Bragg, Megan Wiltshire, Jon Svingen, Sydney Hayward, Cheyenne Beckner, Lachlan Vaira, Arielle Siebold, Lauren Kolstad, Jade Jones, Hailey Stone, Debra Griebel, Lily Helland, Trevor Toavs and Amanda Kresal.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, June 13-29. The season continues with:

• “Cheaper by the Dozen,” July 4-20;

• “Shrek” (July 25-Aug. 10); and

• Rodger and Hammerstein’s “A Grand Night for Singing” (Aug. 15-31).

For tickets and more information call the Fort Peck Box Office at 406-526-9943.