The Day the Music Died

Feb. 3 marks the 47th anniversary of the ill-fated flight that claimed the lives of ‘50s legends Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.

But the three musical geniuses come alive again in the Jefferson Performing Arts Theater’s production of “BuddynThe Buddy Holly Story.”

Scheduled to play on the North Shore in Mandeville Feb. 2-4 and 10-11, the all-star show is an encore presentation of last season’s mega-hit, JPAS Executive/Artistic Director Dennis Assaf explained.

The play stars Billy McGuigan as Buddy Holly and WWL Radio’s John “Spud” McConnell as the Big Bopper.

McGuigan, a native of Omaha, Neb., who has made a stellar career nationally playing the 1950s icon of rock ‘n’ roll, and the Crickets cast bring down the house with over 20 Holly hits, including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Rave On,” “Oh Boy” and “It’s So Easy.”

“BuddynThe Buddy Holly Story” chart’s the Lubbock, Texas, natives meteoric rise beginning with his country roots. It tracks the band’s debut at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre, and ends with the fateful Clear Lake, Iowa, concert with Richie Valens, of “LaBamba” fame, and the Big Bopper, who made “Chantilly Lace” a hit.

Fifties fans will enjoy the raw energy and infectious beat the rollicking tribute offers.

Tickets are $15-30 and are available online at www.jpas.org, or at (504) 885-2000. The curtain goes up at Mandeville High Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.