Seattle World Premiere of Cry-Baby Delayed.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Added to Season
Buddy Performances: February 13 - March 4, 2007
Buddy Opening/Press Night: February 15, 2007 8:00 p.m.
Buddy Pre-Production Photos
SEATTLE - CRY-BABY, like THE WEDDING SINGER and HAIRSPRAY before it, has plans to move directly to Broadway from its world premiere in Seattle. However, due to a shortage of suitable Broadway theaters this spring, the New York producing team and The 5th Avenue Theatre have agreed to postpone the Seattle CRY-BABY debut until a Broadway venue becomes available. The delay will allow the creative team to further develop the production and prepare for its 5th Avenue premiere at a later date. The 5th Avenue Theatre will replace CRY-BABY with its own production of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY in the exact same February 2007 time slot.
David Armstrong, producing artistic director for The 5th Avenue Theatre, elaborates, “Whenever we make the decision to integrate a pre-Broadway world premiere into our season line-up, we know we must be flexible. Delays are always a possibility and premieres are often postponed for a variety of reasons. The trick to remaining successful in the theater business is to be creative and resourceful. We are committed to presenting the highest quality musical theater and will be working diligently with the New York producers in the coming months to secure new dates for CRY-BABY at our theatre.”
BUDDY is one of the most requested musicals among subscribers, and The 5th Avenue Theatre is thrilled to have the opportunity to produce this smash hit musical about one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll icons of all time. BUDDY charts the meteoric rise of the legendary Buddy Holly, from his country roots in Lubbock, Texas, to his groundbreaking debut at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre and, finally, to the fateful concert with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper in Clear Lake, Iowa. Packed with raw energy and an infectious beat, this rollicking tribute to one of the giants of popular music is sheer unadulterated fun.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is in the process of notifying subscription ticket holders of the change. Subscribers are instructed to use their original CRY-BABY tickets to attend BUDDY on the same performance date and time. Tickets will not be reissued. Individual tickets to BUDDY go on sale to the general public November 17, 2006 and will range in price from $20 - $73.
Information about BUDDY’s cast and creative team will be announced in January.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle’s premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of 23,000 and an annual attendance of more than 200,000. It ranks among the nation’s largest and most respected musical theater companies. The theater is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy.
Please contact Jennifer Rice, Public Relations Manager, at (206) 625-1418 with questions or to schedule individual interviews.