The Buddy Holly Story Cast | Drury Lane Theatre

The Buddy Holly Story

GRANT ALEXANDER BROWN

DARRYL D’ANGELO JONES

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BIOGRAPHY

JOEY CHELIUS (Buddy Holly (Guitar)) is humbled to be bringing one of rock music’s original icons to life in his Drury Lane debut. Chicago credits include Sunny Afternoon and Much Ado About Nothing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Million Dollar Quartet at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, and Heartbreak Hotel at the Marriott. Other regional credits include The Full Monty, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Disney’s A Jolly Holiday at Skylight Music Theatre and Titanic and Jersey Boys at the Fireside. Holding a BFA in Acting from UW Stevens Point, he is proudly repped by Big Mouth Talent. This one is for Max: Dream Big. IG: joey.chelius

BIOGRAPHY

MARTA BADY (Marlena Madison/Snowbird/Girl (Fan)/Decca Musician) Previous credits include The Color Purple (Goodman Theatre) Waitress, Frozen!, Beautiful the Carol King Musical, and Little Shop of Horrors (Paramount theatre) and most recently, Grease (Metropolis). When not on stage you can find Marta on long walks with her Dog, Bumi! She would like to thank her family for their love and support, and the Chicago theatre community for being the best to ever do it ¨̮ @themartabady

BIOGRAPHY

ALEK BOGGIO (Jerry Allison (Drummer)) is super excited to be making his Drury Lane debut! Chicago credits include: Loki: The End Of The World Tour (Lifeline Theatre), Sunny Afternoon (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Hedwig And The Angry Inch (Haven Chicago). He has also worked with Court Theatre and Rivendell theatre in the pit orchestra. All the love to Victoria!

Insta: _its_alek

BIOGRAPHY

GRANT ALEXANDER BROWN (Joe Maudlin (Upright & Electric Bass)) is so excited to be making his Drury Lane debut! Past Regional credits include: Jersey Boys (Joey Pesci, u/s Frankie Valli), The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hart), Mary Poppins (Bert), The Last 5 Years (Jamie), Rock of Ages (Drew), Sweeney Todd (Pirelli), Big River (Huck Finn), Hairspray (Corny Collins), and Sunny Afternoon: The Story of The Kinks (u/s Peter Quaife, Fred/Klein). When he’s not acting onstage, Grant gigs with bands around the city of Chicago and writes for his own solo project, Airport Casino. Special thanks to friends, family, and to YOU for supporting Live Theatre! Love you Mom! www.grantalexanderbrown.net

BIOGRAPHY

ELLIOT COE ESQUIVEL (Niki/Ritchie (Guitar)) is grateful to be making his Drury Lane debut! CHICAGO: Octet (Goodman and Raven Theatre), White Rooster (Lookingglass Theatre), As You Like It (Writers Theatre), Lobby Hero (Shattered Globe Theatre, Jeff Award Best Actor), Alice By Heart (Kokandy Productions). Hailing all the way from Austin, TX, with deep roots in Lubbock, Elliot is honored to bring this legendary story to life. All the love to my family, my homies, my dogs, my sweet Jory, and GTG. If you’re reading this, please god hire me. Wreck Em’!

BIOGRAPHY

ERIC ANDREW LEWIS (Engineer/Tyrone Jones/Jackdaw-Clear Lake MC/Decca Musician/WLLO DJ Voice Over) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut. Other credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (National Tour); Off-Broadway hit Spamilton; Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls at Porchlight Music Theatre (Jeff Award); Revolution(s) and The Color Purple at the Goodman Theatre; Gospel at Colonus and Five Guys Named Moe at Court Theatre. Eric would like to thank God, his amazing partner Garrett, and his family for their continued love and support for which he is immensely grateful. He is represented by BMG Talent.

BIOGRAPHY

RUSSELL MERNAGH (Hipockets Duncan/Decca Producer/Norman Petty/Apollo DJ/Murray Deutch/Big Bopper) is thrilled to return to the Drury stage. He was last seen as Drew in Rock of Ages. Favorite credits include The Play that Goes Wrong, Off-Broadway, Broadway in Chicago. Matchbox Magic Flute, Goodman Theater, Berkeley Rep. Comedy of Errors, Ride the Cyclone at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and his newest role, Dad! Russell is repped by Stewart Talent. Big Love to Reese.

BIOGRAPHY

SAMANTHA SAYAH (Vi Petty/Maria Elena/Snowbird/Decca Musician (Piano)) is an actor, singer, musician, and songwriter based in New York City. Regional credits include Chava Kanipshin in the World Premiere of A Hanukkah Carol, or Gelt Trip! The Musical (Round House Theatre), Girl in Once, Sister Act (Geva Theatre), and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Florida Repertory Theatre). Other credits include Disney Cruise Line and Tokyo Disney Resort. TV/Film: Law & Order (NBC), Christmas of Giving (Great American Family), My Sister’s Wedding and The Bigfoot Club (Prime Video, Tubi; In the Garage Productions). AEA, SAG-AFTRA. Stream her original music on all platforms. @samanthasayah, www.samsayah.com. Endless love to her parents and Dante.

BIOGRAPHY

MATTHEW CRUZ (u/s Niki/Ritchie (Guitar) Joe (Bass))is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut with The Buddy Holly Story. Recent Chicago credits include Sunny Afternoon (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), PIVOT (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble), and Scaramouche (City Lit Theatre). Regionally, Matthew has performed with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Studio Tenn Theatre Company, Nashville Repertory Theatre, American Players Theatre, and Exit 11 Productions among others. Matthew is a proud graduate of Oberlin College and native of Nashville, TN. Big thanks to the entire Buddy team and lots of love to his wonderful parents, and Natalie, the best partner there ever was

JORYHEBEL GINORIO (u/s Vi/Maria Elena/Snowbird/Decca Musician track & Snowbird/Girl (Fan)/Decca Musician) is pumped to be making her Drury Lane Debut! CHICAGO: Octet (Raven Theatre), The Secret Garden (Theo Ubique, Jeff Nomination), Arthur and Friends, The Snow Queen (The Marriott Theatre), 9 to 5 (Metropolis PAC), Brighter Futures (Paramount Theatre). Originally from Texas, Joryhebel has found herself lucky to have found an incredibly loving community in Chicago. She is a proud Boricua, passionate about representing her Latinae community. She’s blessed to be doing what she loves most with the support of God, her family, friends, GTG, her sweetest pup Matcha, and of COURSE Elliot :)

¡Voy a ti! @joryhebelginorio

BIOGRAPHY

DARRYL D’ANGELO JONES (u/s Engineer/Tyrone/Clear Lake MC/Decca Musician/WLLO DJ VO track & Marvin Isley & Apollo Performer) is a Chicago implant, & Memphis native! He is large and in charge! He is sweet, and exuberant! Darryl received his BFA in Acting(2018) from The Southeast Conservatory of Theater/Dance. This Gentle Giant is proud of his skin, & culture. Credits include: Sister Act (Drury Lane Theatre), Rock of Ages (The Mercury Theater), Little Shop (Marriott Theatre), Hot Wing King(Writers Theatre), Jake in Sideshow(The Black Hills Playhouse), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812(Writers Theatre) and Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet(The Shakespeare Project Touring Company) Darryl gives thanks to God, and late mother Angela K. Horton

BIOGRAPHY

JAKE MICKEL (u/s Buddy Holly (Guitar) & Hipockets/Decca Producer/Norman Petty/Apollo DJ/Murray Deutch) is an actor and musician from Elgin, IL and is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut! Recent Chicago Credits include: Heartbreak Hotel (Marriott Theatre), Grease (Metropolis PAC), Fiddler on the Roof (Music Theatre Works). New York and regional credits include Jersey Boys (The Rev Theatre Co.), The Office!: A Musical Parody (Jerry Orbach Theater, Off-Broadway), and Beauty and the Beast (Pickleville Playhouse). A graduate of Ball State University, Jake is always raising his glass to his voice teacher, the great Michael Elliott, to whom he owes much. He’d like to thank Shermy, Frieda, Betsy, his family, and Betsy again.

BIOGRAPHY

JACK MORSOVILLO (u/s Jerry (Drums), Big Bopper) is an actor-musician from Chicago. He is the Resident Music Director for Midsommer Flight, and he has provided music direction and original composition for As You Like It, Loves, Labours, Lost, Romeo and Juliet, and Cymbeline. He has worked around Chicagoland with Instrumental Theatre Company, Oil Lamp Theatre, Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Metropolis, and Strawdog Theatre. Musically, he can also be seen onstage around Chicagoland with his bands, The Real Time (@therealtime_band) and Modern Daybreak (@moderndaybreakband). He would like to thank the team at Drury Lane and his family for their support!

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