'Buddy' star reprises role for Welk's production

By: PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY - For the North County Times | Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:57 AM PDT ∞

"Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story"
When: Opens July 12 and runs through Sept. 2; showtimes, 1:45 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Where: Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido
Tickets: $42-$45, show only; $56-$61, show and buffet lunch or dinner
Information: (760) 749-3448 or (888) 802-7469

Before he auditioned for the role of Buddy Holly in the musical adaptation of the legendary rocker's life, Brendan Robert Murphy knew very little about the man behind the classic music.

"He was a little before my parents' time," admitted Murphy, who is based in Los Angeles. "But I knew his songs from the commercials. The commercials are keeping Holly's music alive."

Murphy's audition went well and he landed the title role in the national tour of "Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story." He relied on books and movies to do his research, but didn't go for a direct imitation.

"There aren't a ton of interviews of him," he noted. "Mostly, I try to do his song styling, with the hiccups and such. He was a unique singer."

When Murphy reprises the role at the Welk Resort Theatre in a production opening tonight, it will be his fourth time in the part. He had originally thought the third time would be his last.

"The last time I did it, it was in my hometown two years ago," he explained. "I figured it would probably be the last time. Holly died at 22 and I'm now 28. But I kind of missed doing the part. So when the actors who played the Crickets (Holly's band) decided to do the show at the Welk, they called me and I didn't want to miss doing the part. But I think this will be the last time I do it."

"Buddy" tells the story of the Texas rocker through his music. It also features some of the big names of the time, such as Richie Valens and The Big Bopper, as well as Holly's wife, Maria. The focus is on the music, with songs such as "Peggy Sue," "Johnny B. Goode" and "That'll Be the Day." The show is the second-longest running musical in London.

While Holly's life was cut short by a February 1959 plane crash in Mason City, Iowa, Murphy sees why he remains an icon in music history ---- and it's not just for his music.

"He was a very genuine man," he said. "People loved working with him, although he was a stickler when it came to his music. So much happened to him so quickly. He had a year and half of fame and he kept a level head. Well, except for proposing to a girl five hours after he met her."

Murphy has met Holly's widow as well as Tommy Alsop, a guitar player who toured with Holly. He even played in Lubbock, Texas, where Holly was from.

"They're very protective of him there," he said. "But they liked the show and their reviews of me were very positive."

Murphy sees his job as an opportunity to expose people to Holly and his music ---- including people like him who were born long after Holly was gone.

"I try my best to do justice to him musically," he said. "I want people to have an appreciation for who he was and what he gave to our culture."

"Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story"

When: Opens July 12 and runs through Sept. 2; showtimes, 1:45 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Where: Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido

Tickets: $42-$45, show only; $56-$61, show and buffet lunch or dinner

Information: (760) 749-3448 or (888) 802-7469