Synopsis
More than 50 years after “the music died”, the story of this true rock and roll icon comes to life in this musical journey through Buddy’s impressive rise to fame. Buddy’s original sound and dazzling talent are highlighted with live renditions of his greatest hits. You’ll be dancing in the aisles and cheering for more when you hear over 20 Buddy Holly hits including Maybe Baby, Every Day, Peggy Sue, That’ll be the Day, Oh Boy, Rave On plus Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba and The Big Boppers’ Chantilly Lace.
Buy Tickets!Cast
Robert Brandon
(Jerry Allison)
is ecstatic to make his Broadway Palm debut! This is Brandon's third production of Buddy, his second as Jerry. Based in CA, he started playing drums at the age of 8 and has been involved with music ever since. Favorite credits include: Million Dollar Quartet, Kinky Boots, Come From Away, We Will Rock You, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Legally Blonde. Brandon is incredibly thankful for his family and friends that have supported his journey. @rb_percussion
Mike Brennan
(Big Bopper/Norman Petty/Ensemble)
is thrilled to return to Broadway Palm! He is no stranger to Buddy, having portrayed The Big Bopper in over a dozen productions including performances at The Wick Theatre, REV Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Palace Theatre, and two U.S. national tours. Favorite credits include Million Dollar Quartet (Sam Phillips), The Full Monty (Dave), The Addams Family (Fester), and Kinky Boots (Don). Mike would like to thank the cast & crew and his family & friends for their endless love and support. Always for Dad, my biggest fan.
@MikeBrennanJr
Natalie Carrera
(Maria Elena/Ensemble/Dancer)
is a proud KC native! She is represented by Firestarter Entertainment. Select credits; Diana in A Chorus Line (Music Theater Heritage), Shelby in The Prom (The Phoenix Theatre Company), Oz in We Will Rock You (Circa ‘21), and Maria in Saturday Night Fever (Dutch Apple). Love to family, friends, and Cam!
Yul Carrion
(Swing/Ritchie Valens Understudy/Dancer)
is super excited to be making his Broadway Palm Debut! He absolutely loves the beautiful Fort Myers area and is so happy to have the opportunity to return to it again! More recent roles: Bernardo in West Side Story, Ensemble in Mamma Mia, Doctor/Escapologist in Matilda, Ensemble/Swing in Holiday Inn, and Pepe in West Side Story.
Kiana Raine Cintron
(Swing/Maria Elena Understudy)
is excited to start the New Year with this rockin' show. You’ve seen her in other Prather productions such as , A Christmas Carol, Swing! The Addams Family, Footloose, and Sister Act. All her love to family and friends. A special shout out to her incredibly loving husband, Chance!
Zachary Dyer
(Ensemble/Dancer)
is a NYC-based performer originally from Illinois, Zachary is thrilled to be dancing in The Buddy Holly Story this winter! Regional favorites: The Sound of Music, Grease, Sophisticated Ladies, On the Town. Endless thanks to family and friends for their love and support! All the glory to God! IG: @_zacharydyer
Ruthgena Faraco
(Ensemble/Apollo Singer)
is a local performer with performances spanning on Carnival cruise line and regional theaters in Florida. Ruth is elated to be making her debut with Broadway Palm. And as always she thanks her wonderful husband for all his love and support.
Hunter Henrickson
(Buddy Holly)
is beyond excited to be making his debut as Buddy Holly in Buddy! Since first being cast in the show 3 years ago, Hunter has been traveling the US performing as a multi-instrumentalist Actor Musician. He's so thankful to his friends, family, and Emma who've shown him relentless love and support along the way. He wouldn't be here without them. Previous credits include Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps.
Natalie Hershman
(Ensemble/Dancer)
is thrilled to be making her debut at Broadway Palm. Previous credits: Million Dollar Quartet, Legally Blonde (Theatre West) Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Beauty And The Beast, Holiday Inn, Grease, A Christmas Story, Mary Poppins, Scrooge and Footloose (Fireside Dinner Theatre). Many thanks to my partner Matt, my family and friends for their love and support. Let’s rock-n-roll!!
Gregory Holmes
(Ensemble/Apollo Singer/Dancer)
is happy to be returning to Broadway Palm! Recent credits: Hairspray, ELVIS, Escape to Margaritaville, Sister Act, The Brother Size, Young Frederick Douglas, Hustle ‘til it Hurts, Godspell, The Thanksgiving Day Parade. Training: Howard University, Philadelphia Dance Company, Freedom Theatre, NYU’s Musical Theatre Summer Intensive. He thanks his family, friends, and God - from whom his talents and gifts come. Romans 8:28. @GregoryHolmesJr
Josh Karam
(Ensemble/Joe B. Mauldin Understudy/Fourth Cricket Understudy)
is delighted to return to The Buddy Holly Story. Josh has a BFA in Music Theatre from The Hartt School. Theatre credits: Million Dollar Quartet (Jay), The Taming of the Shrew (Lucentio), Sweat (Jason), The Play that Goes Wrong (Dennis), Into the Woods (Rapunzel's Prince), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Nick). @karamjosh
Kyle Wells Lahr
(Joe B. Mauldin)
is excited for his debut at the Broadway Palm! As an actor and multi-instrumentalist, Kyle has over a decade of experience performing on and off stage for musicals, live bands of all genres, and even video game soundtracks. He is incredibly grateful to be joining such a wonderful cast of friends, old and new, for this production of Buddy! Special shout-out to his wonderful life partner Miranda Simonne, who will be sharing the stage as Vi Petty. (Don’t tell Norm, but Joe has a crush on Vi!)
Miranda Simonne Lipes
(Vi Petty/Ensemble) is ready to rock another McClure-directed Buddy production! Favorite credits: Buddy at The Wick (Hayrider/Trumpet, Vi U/S) and Wohlfahrt Haus (Vi/Shirley/Snowbird), Spongebob (Mrs. Puff) and Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit), Rochester Opera House. Shoutout to the best stage and life partner, Kyle Wells. Plot twist... Vi loves Joe!!
Giovanna Marchese
(Ensemble/ Vi Petty Understudy)
is beyond excited to be making her Broadway Palm debut! She was recently seen in Kinky Boots (ensemble) at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. You may have seen her behind the piano and singing at various Howl at the Moon locations. She wants to thank her family for all their love.
Cameron Nies
(Ensemble/Jerry Allison Understudy)
is a graduate from Pace University in NYC. Some of his recent work includes Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Broadway Palm), Jersey Boys (Pioneer Theatre Company), and Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (PTC). He would like to thank his family, friends, and Natalie for supporting him. cameronnies.com
Ronan O’Toole
(Ensemble/Dancer)
is pumped to be back at Broadway Palm for his fourth show! Previous credits here include The Addams Family, Footloose, and Joseph and…Dreamcoat! He wants to thank his family for their unconditional love and support. None of this would have been possible without them. @rjo.726
Santos Sanchez
(Ritchie Valens/Ensemble)
is pumped for his Broadway Palm debut! A recent graduate of the Florida State University School of Theatre (Go Noles), his credits include In The Heights (Usnavi), Hair (Claude), and 9 to 5: The Musical (Joe). Para mi familia con amor. @santitosanchez
Maya Senecharles
(Ensemble/Apollo Singer/Dancer)
is a recent graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Theatre BA and a music minor! She is a SWFL native and is very excited to be back at Broadway Palm. Maya will be back for Crazy for You and then you can catch her in Ghost: The Musical at TheatreZone! She wants to thank her friends and family for all their love and support. Instagram - @maya.senecharles
Matt Smolko
(Hipockets/Ensemble)
is psyched to be making his Broadway Palm debut! His latest single Lets Go Floatin is streaming everywhere now! Notable theatre credits include: Nat’l Tours - Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story , Damn Yankees! Regional - Ring of Fire, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Les Miserables, Escape to Margartaville, Kinky Boots. Thanks to the cast/crew and the whole Prather Team for this experience!
Jack Supan
(Fourth Cricket/Ensemble/Buddy Holly Understudy)
is thrilled to be back at Broadway Palm! West End/Nat. Tour: Olivier nominated, Blippi the Musical (Blippi). Off-Broadway: Brighter Than The Sun (Guitarist/Mailman) Original Works: Hootenanny! (Graham Walker). Regional: Multiple appearances in Million Dollar Quartet (Carl Perkins), Titanic (Barrett- Broadway World Nomination) Beautiful (Low Righteous Brother u/s Donny Kirschner). Huge thanks to Adina, his family and vocal teachers Jessie Hinkle and Catherine McDaniel. www.jacksupan.com @Jack_supan_
Nathan Wright
(Ensemble/Big Bopper Understudy/Norman Petty Understudy)
is so excited to be returning to the Broadway Palm! Previous Broadway Palm credits include Grease (Roger) and A Bronx Tale (Jojo). Other recent credits include the National Tours of A Bronx Tale and Buddy Holly, the world premiere of Mr. Holland’s Opus, The Wizard of Oz, and Sister Act. Nathan also serves as a tenor section leader/soloist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral of NYC. Thank you to HKA and Brian.