Seen by more than 22 million music fans since it opened in London’s West End in 1989, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, the show that inspired a generation of multi-million selling juke-box musicals including Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Million Dollar Quartet, and We Will Rock You — is back by popular demand! See Buddy at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on October 22, 2022. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m. Buddy speaks an international language and continues to have audiences from 8 to 80 rockin’ in the aisles across the globe. Loved by critics and audiences alike, Buddy tells the enduring tale of the musical icon’s meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of 22. In 18 short months, the Texas-born boy revolutionized the face of contemporary music influencing everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen. Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena Holly, says “When we opened the show we never imagined Buddy’s music and story would still be rocking stages and entertaining audiences around the world, week-in, week-out over 25 years later. I believe this is testament to a great show – the first of its kind – and to the enduring appeal of Buddy Holly and what he represents; a youthful energy, huge talent and creativity, combined with a determination to make a lasting impression in this world.” Writer Alan Janes says, “Audiences dance in the aisles every night to our enactment of the story of a young man whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period but whose music will be remembered forever.” Tickets are $37 - $77 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of ten or more should contact 941-263-6726.