THE CAPE PLAYHOUSE
UNDER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ERIC ROSEN
ANNOUNCES
COMPLETE CASTING FOR
BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY
WRITTEN BY ALAN JANES
DIRECTED BY MEREDITH McDONOUGH
JUNE 4-21
SPECIAL CONCERT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
WITH BROADWAY & “GILDED AGE” STAR
CLAYBOURNE ELDER
IF THE STARS WERE MINE
MAY 24 & MAY 25
(April 23, 2025 – New York, NY) The Cape Playhouse will launch its summer season on June 4 with the transformative power of music through the enduring legacy of rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Buddy Holly in BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story. Written by Alan Janes and directed by Meredith McDonough, BUDDY, called “remarkable! A bona fide crowd pleaser” by Variety, will run June 4 to June 21 at the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA “where Broadway goes to summer” (The New York Times) since 1927. Tickets on sale now at www.capeplayhouse.com.
BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story is the electrifying story of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when “That’ll Be the Day” hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “the day the music died.” The show, HuffPost called “hi-octane and powerful” by Huffington Post features over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits including “Peggy Sue” and “Oh Boy” plus Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.” Discover his historic performance at the Apollo Theater, his time with The Crickets, and meet the love of his life, Maria Elena. Buddy Holly left an enduring legacy as one of the pioneers of rock and roll.
“I’m thrilled to bring the story and the music of Buddy Holly to the Cape this summer! It’s jam-packed with not only your favorites from his time with his band, The Crickets, but also so many hits from the eratime,” said Director Meredith McDonough. “I love the audience interaction with Shout! and La Bamba, as we get to celebrate this music together. Buddy’s story has a tragic end, but this show is a true celebration of his life and all that he left behind in his music.”
The cast for BUDDY features Christopher Alvarado; David Bonanno (The Light in the Piazza); Legna Cedillo; Andy Christopher (Rock & Roll Man); Matt Cusack (One Man,Two Guvnors; Bandstand); Gian Raffaele Diconstanzo; Ta’Nika Gibson (Into the Woods; Ain’t Too Proud); Katie Horner; Jeffrey Thomas Kelly; and Isaiah Reynolds.
The show will features sets by Lex Liang; costumes by Kathleen Geldard; lights by Kat C. Zhou; sound by Jeff Sherwood; choreography by Felicity Stiverson; music direction by Matt Cusack; and casting by Stephanie Klapper, CSA. Arthur Atkinson will be the stage manager with Sergio Manriquez as the assistant stage manager.
Prior to the season opener in June, Broadway and TV star Claybourne Elder will return to The Cape Playhouse in IF THE STARS WERE MINE for three performances only, May 24 and 25. In a show that Broadway World touts as “A delight from start to finish!”, Elder, currently starring as John Adams in the HBO hit series “The Gilded Age,” brings his signature charm, humor and powerhouse vocals to this dazzling event that’s part cabaret, part stand-up and entirely unforgettable. Accompanied by music director, Rodney Busy, Elder has performed IF THE STARS WERE MINE to standing ovations from more than 30 sold out crowds across the country. Tickets on sale now at www.capeplayhouse.com.
SELECT BIOS:
IF THE STARS WERE MINE
CLAYBOURNE ELDER (If The Stars Were Mine) is a Grammy, Screen Actors Guild Award, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominee. He currently plays John Adams on HBO’s hit series “The Gilded Age” and was most recently seen on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company starring Patti Lupone. He is known for his performances on Broadway in Bonnie and Clyde, Sunday in the Park with George, Torch Song and Sondheim on Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl. He began his career originating the role of Hollis in Sondheim’s Road Show, he also originated the role of Ollie in Tennessee William’s One Arm. Other credits include: Do I Hear A Waltz at City Center, Allegro at Classic Stage, Two by Two (Starring Jason Alexander , Venice at the Public Theatre, Georgio in Passion, Tony in West Side Story, Joe in Angels in America, Curly in Oklahoma, Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods, and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. He also played Pete O’Malley in the CW’s “The Carrie Diaries” and can be seen in the Hallmark Original, Deck the Walls. His solo show has played to sold-out crowds across the country and in London. He has been a soloist at Carnegie Hall, LA Philharmonic, American Pops Orchestra and Utah Symphony. Recently he launched an initiative called City of Strangers to provide free tickets to Broadway shows for people who might not have the means. They have given away over 3,000 tickets and have gained unexpected attention nationally being featured on This American Life, “CBS This Morning” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY
MEREDITH McDONOUGH (Buddy Director) was the associate artistic director at Actors Theatre of Louisville for seven seasons where favorite directing includes both parts of Angels in America, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and The Last Five Years. In the Humana Festival she directed the premieres of Marginal Loss, Dot, brownsville song (b-side for trey) and Airness, amongst others. Before ATL, she was the Director of New Works at TheatreWorks in CA where she directed the world premieres of Triangle, Upright Grand and Auctioning the Ainsleys. Other San Francisco credits include the premieres of Miss Bennett – Christmas at Pemberly and Kitty and Georgianna at Marin Theatre Company, and The Lily’s Revenge with Taylor Mac at the Magic Theatre. Regionally, favorites include the premiere of Kate Hamill’s Emma and Noises Off (Guthrie), Fair Use (Steppenwolf), Eurydice (Williamstown), 39 Steps (Denver Center), Lifespan of a Fact and Private Lives (St. Louis REP), Falsettos (Theater LatteDa), Summer of ’42 and the US premiere of NSFW (Roundhouse). In New York City, McDonough has developed work with Playwrights Horizons, Red Bull, Keen Company, the Women’s Project and Ars Nova. She was the associate AD of The Orchard Project, the New Works Director for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, a Drama League Fellow, an alum of the WP Directors Lab and a Kesselring Award Panelist.
FELICITY STIVERSON (Buddy Choreographer) works as a choreographer includes productions of Waitress (The Engeman Theater), The Anonymous Lover (Opera Philadelphia), Pippin (Weston Playhouse), Jekyll and Hyde (WPPAC), Singin in the Rain (Weston Playhouse), West Side Story (Weston Playhouse), Susannah (Wolf Trap Opera), Music City Christmas (Nashville Symphony), Hair (Weston Playhouse), Buddy (Weston Playhouse), Turandot (New Orleans Opera), Sense and Sensibility (Everyman Theater), and Tenderly (Weston Playhouse). Performing credits include the musical Hot Feet on Broadway, national and international tours of West Side Story, Grease, Steel Pier, and Candide, and numerous regional theater and opera productions.
CHRISTOPHER ALVARADO (Richie Valens) is a Puerto Rican artist excited to be performing at The Cape Playhouse! Tours: Pretty Woman (Ensemble, U/s Giulio and Alfredo), 360 IHI Stage Around Tokyo West Side Story (Chino), International Tour of West Side Story (Chino, U/s Bernardo). Regional: On Your Feet (Paper Mill Playhouse), Evita (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), In The Heights (Broadway Palm Theater), Cinderella and Escape to Margaritaville (Cumberland Playhouse), The Little Mermaid (Arizona Broadway Theater). Workshop: A Crossing (Barrington Stage Company).
DAVID BONANNO (Hipockets Duncan) was in the original Broadway company of The Light In The Piazza, the Chicago companies of Ragtime and Lend Me A Tenor and the National Tour of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. He has been seen regionally at The Goodman, Indiana Rep, Milwaukee Rep, Delaware Theatre Company, Shaker Bridge and Northern Stage. For the past 38 years, he has been a member at The Weston Theater Company where he has performed in over 50 productions.
LEGNA CEDILLO (Maria Elena). Her recent theater credits include Adriana in Espejos: Clean at Studio Theatre, Ceci Lopez in the Off-Broadway premiere of ¡Americano! The Musical at New World Stages, Thw Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre, and Split with The Transport Group at New London Barn Playhouse. Television credits include CBS shows Elsbeth and The Equalizer. Legna is also a recording artist and voiceover actor. She is part of the pop-soul duo band Lumos, whose music can be found on all listening platforms.
ANDY CHRISTOPHER (Buddy Holly) is a native Texan who picked up the guitar in 2010 and learned it by playing Lubbock bars with Buddy Holly’s nephew. Off-Broadway: Rock & Roll Man and The Baker’s Wife. TV: “Law & Order” (NBC), “A Murder at the End of the World” (HULU), “That Damn Michael Che” (Max), and “Poker Face” (Upcoming!). Select regional: Jersey Boys (Ogunquit Playhouse, Music Theatre Wichita), Once (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera), Woody Sez (Ivoryton Playhouse), Hank Williams: Lost Highway (many places), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (many, many places including the Equity national tour).
MATT CUSACK (Joe B. Maudlin/Music Director) is an actor, musician, composer, arranger, music director/supervisor and music/audio producer. His Broadway credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (Associate Music Director) and Bandstand. Off-Broadway, he was a part of Roundabout Theatre’s revival of The Robber Bridegroom. Matt has also been a part of numerous national tours and regional theatre productions. His favorite credits include John Doyle’s Sweeney Todd, The Buddy Holly Story (Music Director), and loves playing CASH in Ring of Fire (Music Director) and Million Dollar Quartet (Music Director). On television, he can be seen on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and heard in The Reading League’s Reading Buddies where he serves as composer and sound designer.
GIAN RAFFAELE DiCONSTANZO (Tommy) is an actor and multi-hyphenate artist based in New York City. This marks his seventh production of The Buddy Holly Story (NSMT, Music Theatre CT), but Gian is best known for his time with Jersey Boys as Joe Pesci and Frankie Valli (NCL, La Mirada, Maltz Jupiter, Beef & Boards). Select credits: PAW Patrol Live! (Nat’l Tour), Smokey Joe’s Café, A Bronx Tale. Gian’s voice can be heard on several commercials, international film dubs, YouTube videos, and as the title character on the podcast “Safety Sheriff Labrador.”
TA’NIKA GIBSON (Marlena) is a staunch advocate for arts education and foster care/ adoption in this country! Broadway: Into The Woods (Lucinda), Ain’t Too Proud (Diana Ross). Off-Broadway/Regional: NYC Center – Ragtime (Sarah u/s), Oklahoma! (Laurey), Aida (Aida). TV: HBO’s Winning Time! (Debbie Allen), Marvel’s Iron Fist, and Bull.
KATIE HORNER (Vi Petty) is a Philadelphia-grown, NYC-based actor, singer, composer, music director, and multi-instrumentalist. NYC Area: The Sound of Music, Paper Mill Playhouse; Guys and Dolls, Plaza Theatricals; The Golden Cage, Theatre Row. REGIONAL: Beautiful, Fireside Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Wolfbane Productions, Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story, National Tour, Florida Studio Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre; The Sound of Music, ZACH Theatre. A proud second year composer in the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop
JEFFREY THOMAS KELLY (Jerry Allison) is born and raised on the Cape. His major credits include: Rooster Hannigan (Annie Natl Tour), Johnny Simpson (Bandstand– The Rev) and Tommy DeVito (Jersey Boys– PotS).
ISAIAH REYNOLDS (Tyrone) is a Wisconsin native. He has had the privilege to travel all over the country performing. Some favorite credits include: Beautiful the Carole King Musical (Paper Mill Playhouse), Sweeney Todd (Portland Center Stage), Choir Boy (Speak Easy Stage), Five Guys Named Moe (The Fulton), and Hairspray (Theater Aspen).
UPCOMING 2025 SEASON:
RENT
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner
Original Concept/Additional Lyrics by Billy Aronson
Music Supervision/Additional Lyrics by Tim Weil
Direction and Choreography by Chip Miller
June 25-July 12
Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Pitting financial survival against creative freedom, a found family of artists fights the impending uncertainty of rent due, while living through the tragedy and hope of the bohemian New York underworld of the 1990s. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
“Extraordinary spirit of humanity” – The New York Times
ANASTASIA: THE MUSICAL
Book By Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrica by Lynn Ahrens
Directed by Eric Rosen
July 16-August 2
From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, creators of such Broadway classics as Ragtime and Once On This Island, this dazzling show will transport you from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, the couple embark on an epic adventure to help Anya find a home, love, and family.
“A lavish confection of elegance, mystery, and occasional great humor …with images of girls in white ball gowns, Swan Lake, vodka, French champagne, and caviar!” – Broadway World
COME FROM AWAY
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Orchestrations by August Eriksmoen
Arrangements by Ian Eisendrath
August 6-30
Come From Away is based on the true story of the time when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.
“A totally, soul-feedingly wonderful musical.” – Time Out
JOAN
New Play Written by Daniel Goldstein
Executive Producer Melissa Rivers
September 3-20
Comedian. Trailblazer. Force of nature. From Greenwich Village nightclubs to “The Tonight Show” to Hollywood’s red carpets, Joan Rivers made and remade her career through triumph and tragedy. This is the story of a pioneer and the story of a mom—who were one and the same. Get up close and personal with the famously edgy, fearless, and loving legend in this hilarious and heartbreaking account of an American icon.
“Keeps the audience laughing” – Theatermania
ABOUT THE CAPE PLAYHOUSE:
ERIC ROSEN (Artistic Director) was appointed Artistic Director of The Cape Playhouse in August 2023. Prior to joining The Cape Playhouse, Rosen was Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theater (KC Rep) from 2008 to 2018. He guided the organization through a period of significant change, transforming a 44-year-old company into a respected incubator and engine for the development of stories that reached Broadway and stages worldwide. His programming at Kansas City Rep included large-scale, pre-New York musicals, including the Tony-nominated A Christmas Story, The Public Theater’s Venice, and Lincoln Center Theater’s Clay. Before joining KC Rep, Rosen co-founded and led Chicago’s About Face Theater, a nationally recognized and community-focused LGBTQ arts organization that has provided innovative theater and educational programming for nearly three decades. While there, Rosen built and directed the creative strategy, designed programming slates that earned 24 Joseph Jefferson “Jeff” Awards, and developed and launched the pre-Broadway premiere of I Am My Own Wife, which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play. As an independent artist, Rosen has developed projects for PBS and directed at major regional theaters across the country, including the acclaimed production of tick, tick…Boom! at Bucks County Playhouse in 2023 and the much-lauded Arena Stage production of Indecent, for which he received the Helen Hayes Award for Best Director. He has been recognized with Joseph Jefferson and Barrymore Awards, and his work at About Face Theater earned him awards from Human Rights Campaign and Equality Illinois, and he was inducted into Chicago’s LGBTQ Hall of Fame. He divides his time between Dennis and NYC, with his husband, actor Claybourne Elder, and their son Bo, their proudest achievement.
THE CAPE PLAYHOUSE was founded in 1927 by visionary Raymond Moore and was created as a premier summer theatre, bringing the magic of Broadway and Hollywood to Cape Cod. Dubbed by the New York Times as “the place where Broadway goes to summer,” the Playhouse has hosted an extraordinary lineup of legendary performers, from Gertrude Lawrence and Bette Davis to Betty White, Humphrey Bogart, and Henry and Jane Fonda. Now, 98 years later, The Cape Playhouse continues to captivate audiences with world-class productions created exclusively for its stage. As a not-for-profit organization, it also nurtures the next generation of theatre lovers through educational programs for children and teens, as well as select concert experiences. Nestled off historic Old Kings Highway in Dennis Village, the Playhouse sits on a picturesque 22-acre campus shared with the iconic Cape Cinema and the Cape Cod Museum of Art. From the moment you arrive, you’re immersed in the charm of lush green lawns, a storybook box office and concession stand, and a postcard-perfect gazebo. Inside, the historic wooden auditorium—complete with original pew seating and soaring gothic arches—transports you to the golden age of summer theatre.
Single ticket prices range from $50 to $135 with discount opportunities for ticket packages, groups of 10 or more, military, student and 30 Under 30. Box Office phone number: 508-385-3911. For tickets and more information available at www.capeplayhouse.com.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Cape Playhouse Press Contact:
Stephanie Stiles/508-385-3838
National Press Rep:
Candi Adams PR/917-776-1170
