Mixed buzz about this summer’s big production at the Confed Centre has us wondering
Mixed reviews
The heavily promoted Buddy Holly Story just opened at the Confederation Centre.
Last week the talk was all positive but over the weekend we heard both glowing reviews and pans.
The Guardian review was positive, except the reviewer didn’t like rock and roll. “The Buddy Holly Story opened, bursting with enthusiasm, excitement and nostalgia for that perfectly wholesome time — the 1950s. Wholesome except for that blasted rock and roll music…As a musical theatre spectacle, it lacked just a touch. The choreography, while fun, was a bit casual and plain. There were a few brief lulls in energy, some hamming that wasn’t quite to my taste, and some of the more serious moments didn’t quite stir the heart.”
Seems like their reviewer is not a fan of 50’s rock music. He seems to be torn between not liking the music, the plain choreography, thin theatre spectacle, lulls in the energy, hammy acting and on the glowing first line.
A couple in their 20s called the show flat, the story line weak and a shortfall on the music. They said there weren’t enough of the familiar songs to keep them interested and from being disappointed. They both had seen the movie and liked it.
A women in her 60s said she “heard” it was great. Another person suggested it was a generational thing – boomers love it and young people might not. Did you see it? What do you think?
Christopher
I saw the show in London’s West End years ago and am going to see this production Friday. I’ll let you know how it compares.
What struck me about the London show was that when they needed a barn burner to finish on, they chose Johnny B Goode rather than a Holly tune. That was quite a judgment call.