Pieter Toerien will present a brand-new stage production of the legendary rock musical, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, in South Africa in 2023. Promising to deliver all the thrills of a full-scale live rock ‘n’ roll experience, Buddy will run at the Artscape Opera House from 28 March to 16 April 2023, and at The Teatro at Montecasino from 21 April to 28 May 2023.

Buddy follows the incredible journey of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to the top of the charts during the golden age of rock music. Following a start as a country and western singer, he formed a band, The Crickets, and shifted his style to rock music, shooting to stardom in 1957. Just two years later, Holly died tragically in a plane crash alongside Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson, also known as The Big Bopper. It was a tragedy that shook the world – to wit, “the day the music died”.

The all-South African cast of Buddy will be led by singer-songwriter Jethro Tait as Buddy Holly. Joining him on stage will be Bethany Dickson and Keaton Ditchfield, as well as Michael Stray, Chad Baai, Simone Neethling, Gianluca Gironi, Thoko Jiyane, Che-Jean Jupp, Gerard Van Rooyen, Koketso Mere, Gabriela Dos Santos, Virtuous Kandemiri, Sindiswa Ndlovu and Morgan Marshall.

Nick Winston, the internationally renowned English director and choreographer, will stage a newly conceived production of Buddy, unlike any previous incarnation of the show seen on South African stages. Wessel Odendaal will handle the musical direction, while Niall Griffin will create original set and costume designs for the show.

Bookings for Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story are open at Webtickets for both the Artscape season and its transfer to The Teatro at Montecasino. Tickets range in price from R150 – R500, with performances taking place on Tuesdays through Sundays. Group bookings for the Cape Town run can be made with Dean Roberts (dean@theatreonthebay.co.za) and with Geraldine Swanepoel (geraldine@montetheatre.co.za) for the Johannesburg run.