Buddy | Oregon Cabaret Theatre

July 1st - September 5th

The Story

Buddy Holly’s brief life is immortalized in this dynamic and heart-rending stage show. Set between 1956 and 1959, Buddy traces Buddy’s early rise to fame with the Crickets to that fateful night when the music died.

Music

Featuring hit Buddy Holly songs like “That’ll be the Day”, “Peggy Sue”, "Everyday" Ritchie Valens' “La Bamba”, and The Big Bopper's “Chantilly Lace”, Buddy celebrates the lives lost on that fateful night and the lasting impact they had on Rock N’ Roll.

Content

Were it movie, Buddy would be rated PG, with mild coarse language and some adult themes.

Pricing

$43 A Level Seating / $39 B Level Seating / $29 C Level Seating

Show Times

All matinees start at 1 pm and all evening shows start at 8pm

Nuanced acting, fascinating backstories, incredible staging and, most of all, music that ranges from tender, sweet ballads to, best of all, butt-kicking, get-up-and-dance rock ‘n roll...

...Written by Alan James and directed by Rick Robinson and Jake Delaney, the Cabaret production is seamlessly produced, from staging, lighting, choreography to acting, especially by the multi-talented Dan Middleditch as Buddy and Alex Boyles in several roles, especially as the fast-talking Hi-Pockets and as the Big Bopper.

Lee Juillerat for the Klamath Falls Herald & News

Praise for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story from Facebook

“We’ve been season members for a few years and this is one of the best shows. If you get a chance, go see it. The tickets are reasonably priced and there is not a bad seat in the house.”

“The Buddy Holly story at Cabaret was great! So happy to see the premier and have theater back open!”

“It was incredible! Such talent!”

“Such a good show today! Thanks!”

“Dan [Middleditch] was perfect!”

“Great show!! Thank you!!! ”

“It was such a FANTASTIC show!”

"What a fun show! (The Buddy Holly Story) We just loved it! So so well done!! You guys rocked!"

“We went tonight and it was outstanding!!”

"We were at the 1pm show on the 4th. Fantastic show! Loved all the music and entertainment. Thanks for re-opening!"

“This show is SO good!”

“Such a great show!”

"We were at tonight’s show and let me say — it was AWESOME!! A heart wrenching story and some amazing rock ‘n roll!! A very satisfying balance of music and drama. So much talent on that stage + a delicious dinner!!"

"Fabulous simply fabulous BRAVO"

"This is fabulous! Don’t miss it! A Nightingales Inn recommendation!"

This is such a wonderful intimate dinner theatre!! We were a little skeptical about having dinner here since there are so many great restaurants in town but we couldn't be happier with the food. It was delicious, good sized portions, but not too heavy and very nice service. Definitely recommend arriving no later than 6:30 for an 8 o'clock show.

The theater was the perfect size to have a good view no matter where you are seated. It was such a nice addition to our stay in Ashland. Can't wait to visit again.

dartmanbull on Google Reviews - 7/1/21

It was my first visit to the Oregon Cabaret theater I took my sister and her friend from Illinois and Arizona there they came out to visit for my 60th birthday it was awesome The Buddy Holly Story was so great the actors are so talented and it was just an all great wonderful place to go the food was wonderful and the price is awesome. The staff was so kind and considerate. I would highly recommend if you get a chance to go go it's well worth it and more.

Rebecca on Google Reviews - 7/5/21

The production did so much justice to the Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Ritchie Vallens, and we loved the energy of the whole cast. We didn't get the best seats in the house, but the attention that we were given in our spot sure made up for it 🙂

ashleyann B on Yelp Reviews - 7/6/21

The Buddy Holly Story is fabulous! Don't miss it!

Margaret on Google Reviews - 7/6/21

Meet the Cast

DAN MIDDLEDITCH

Buddy Holly

Dan is making his debut appearance on the Oregon Cabaret Theatre stage. He comes to us from Los Angeles, CA, but is originally from Orlando, FL. Other regional performance credits include Elvis Presley in Million Dollar Quartet (Norwegian Cruise Line and Show Palace Dinner Theatre), Andrej in Once (Midtown Arts Center).

RIGO JIMENEZ

Ritchie Valens

Rigo is a native of Ashland, Oregon and is making his debut appearance on the Oregon Cabaret stage. Players Card in La Comedia of Errors, Players Card in Destiny of Desire (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Tommy Wheeler/Frank Understudy: Annie Get Your Gun, Bert in Mary Poppins, Galahad in Spamalot (Camelot Theatre); Fred Casely in Chicago (Randall Theatre Ghostlight Playhouse). Rigo has also been featured as Protagonist in the 2019 AIFF short film, COUNTRY MAN. “To my family, thank you so much for letting me go out there and make a name for myself. Thank you to my Partner in Crime, Devin. And thank you to OCT for this opportunity to debut as a fellow member of this company. Enjoy the show and stay safe!”

ALEX BOYLES

Hipockets/Big Bopper

Alex joins the Oregon Cabaret team once again. Prior OCT credits include Roy in The Odd Couple, Wallace Ainsley in Miracle on 34th Street, Dr Everett Scott/Eddie in Rocky Horror 2019, Dr Everett Scott in Rocky Horror 2018 and 2017, Harry in Mamma Mia!, Brian in Avenue Q. Other regional credits include Sheriff of Nottingham in Sherwood, Robert Kincaid in Bridges of Madison County, Angus Tuck in Tuck Everlasting (Collaborative Theatre Project); Fredrik in A Little Night Music, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Ransome Foster in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Camelot Theatre); Dr. Madden in Next to Normal (Next Stage Rep Company). Alex would like to “thank his wife because, frankly, he doesn't thank her enough.”

KRISTEN CALVIN*

VI PETTY

Kristen returns to join the Oregon Cabaret team. Prior OCT credits include Beggar Woman/Understudy Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Janis Joplin in Beehive, Magenta in Rocky Horror, Maggie/Ron in Bat Boy, Ensemble/Understudy Amalia in She Loves Me, The Music of Janis Joplin from the 2020 Cabaret Series. Other regional performance credits include Petra in A Little Night Music, Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, The Spotlight(s) on Liza Minnelli, Janis Joplin, & Mamas and the Papas (Camelot); Diana in Lend Me a Tenor (Collaborative Theatre Project); Janis Joplin in Beehive (Broadway Rose Theatre). Kristen is “beyond grateful to the Cabaret for keeping theatre alive during these unprecedented times.”

MATTHEW J. STALEY

Norman Petty

Matthew is returning to the Oregon Cabaret team after appearing as Joe in the 2021 production of The Spitfire Grill. He is originally from Trenton, NJ. Other regional credits include Eamon, Guy u/s in Once (National Tour), Rev. Oglethorpe in Smoke on the Mountain (La Comedia Dinner Theater), Singer/Guitarist (Bahamas Paradise Cruiseline), Anselmo in Man of La Mancha (Princeton Festival), Carl Perkins/Elvis u/s in Million Dollar Quartet (Dutch Apple Dinner Theater), Vocalist/Guitarist in Time Step (Broward County Stage Door Theater). Matthew holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Rider University.

SABRINA VALENZUELA

Maria Elena

Sabrina is a local resident of the Grants Pass and Ashland area. She is returning to the OCT team after serving as an understudy for the 2020 production of The Spitfire Grill. Other regional performance credits include Maria in West Side Story (Grants Pass Performing Arts Center), Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Spotlight on The Day The Music Died, Annie in Annie Get Your Gun (Camelot Theater), Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest (Collaborative Theater Company), Singer/Percussion for Taking Our Lives by Shoshana Alexander, Percussion Composition/Performance and Ensemble in The Secret Garden (Southern Oregon University).

MATT SWEENEY

JERRY "JI" ALLISON

Matt is originally from Stamford, CT and is appearing for the first time on the OCT stage. Other regional theater credits include Fluke Holland in Million Dollar Quartet (Forestburgh Playhouse); Cosmo Brown in Singing’ in the Rain (Pines Dinner Theatre); Snowboy in West Side Story: In Concert (New Paradigm Theatre). Matt attended Rider University and received a BFA in Musical Theatre. “Thanks to my parents and Em for their unending support.”

DARBY USPENSKY

JOE B. MAULDIN

Darby returns to the OCT stage after previously being seen as Brother Jay in Million Dollar Quartet, Bassist in Rocky Horror Show, Bassist in Million Dollar Duo, Bassist in Talkin’ To Brick Walls, Understudy Bassist for Beehive. Other regional credits include Brother Jay in Million Dollar Quartet (Show Palace Theatre of Hudson, FL). “My professional pursuit of education and music would not be possible without the guidance of my teachers, the support of family, and the love and encouragement from my partner in life and music, Essence Githens. To all I am forever indebted and grateful.”

The Team

Director - Rick Robinson & Jake Delaney
Choreographer - Jake Delaney
Musical Director - Karl Iversen
Set Designer - Deanne Kennedy
Lighting Designer - Michael Stanfill
Sound Designer - Graham Howatt
Props Design - Todd Nielsen
Costume Designer - Kristie Mattson
Wigs & Hair Designer - Virginia Carol Hudson
Technical Director - Drew Bangs
Production/Stage Manager - Julie Bangs*