Gary ‘Buddy’ Busey Sings for Holly’s B-Day

By JOHN WIRTH Special to the Palisadian-Post Theatergoers at Saturday night’s sold-out performance of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” at the Pierson Playhouse were delighted when producer Gail Matthius took the stage moments after the rousing last number and introduced a surprise guest. The audience gasped as Gary Busey emerged from backstage and strapped on a guitar–not just any guitar, but Buddy Holly’s 1957 Fender Stratocaster that was given to Busey by Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena Holly. Busey, the charismatic actor who received an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Buddy Holly in the 1978 film “The Buddy Holly Story,” delighted the audience first by wishing Buddy happy birthday on what would have been the singer/songwriter’s 70th (on September 7), and then by donning the distinctive black-framed glasses he wore in the movie and singing Holly’s hit “Maybe Baby” in his soulful, Texas-accented voice. After complimenting the “Buddy” cast for “a great performance,” Busey briefly joined the audience for a wine and birthday-cake reception in the lobby and then carried his precious guitar to the safety of his car. Buddy Holly, whose real name was Charles Hardin Holley, was killed in a plane crash in Iowa on February 3, 1959 that also took the lives of J.P. Richardson (aka The Big Bopper) and Richie Valens. The three were later immortalized by Don McLean in his classic song “American Pie.” “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” a musical chronicling his all-too-brief career, has been selling out. The Theatre Palisades production represents a new direction for the theater, which Matthius describes as “a cherished community resource on the rise.” Very family-friendly, the show features many of Holly’s hit songs played live on stage by Joshua Brandenburg and a band cheerfully led by nimble guitarist Bray Ghiglia. Directed by Paula LaBrot, the show runs Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., through October 8. Tickets: 454-1970.