THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY-IVORYTON STYLE

I grew up with Buddy Holly's music, as well as Richie Valens, (La Bamba) and J.P. Richardson, The Big Bopper, (Chantilly Lace.)  A privilege is the only way I can describe getting to sit in a "live concert" with Buddy Holly and the others from the long gone past at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, Connecticut. "Whatta show!"  Gregg Hammer does a believable Holly and his backup musicians were amazing, especially the drummer. (It was unclear from the program who the drummer was. My only criticism.)
The Buddy Holly Story has been playing all around the country in various little theaters and my advice is get thee to one and see it. Well written and designed to showcase Holly's short lived musical career and personality. Pick a theater that can support good actors and musicians. That was the joy for  us last night in the historical, storied Ivoryton Playhouse.

The Playhouse will be celebrating its 100th year in 2011, an achievement of community support and pride for this summer theater.
We learned that Katharine Hepburn played here and many other notables were listed in Wikipedia, but not nearly the list we examined in the playhouse itself. Pictures and autographs of familiar and diverse talents such as Buddy Ebson, June Allyson, Farley Granger, Shelly Winters, James Whitmore, Betty Davis, Phyllis Diller, Allan Alda and early greats before my time.
 The theater holds 284 patrons, who file in from nearby towns and New York City. Its interior has been refurbished more than once, and boasts a great collection of elephants. (The ivory connection.) The spacious grounds with gazebo and plenty of ancient shade trees provides an outdoor arena for events. What a treasure this community has.

 The lobby:

 Stage and pictures around the walls.

  The music from this show hit the walls and a standing dancing ovation capped the final scene. Much I didn't know about Buddy Holly was revealed here and his potential was so great and unrealized that a mix of sadness follows you out the door despite an exciting evening.
On another note, I've never figured out how to answer a comment on Blogspot...thus, to the question on an earlier blog about Nottoway Plantation. The Dimrey's family, I do not know anything about them. I knew the Whipple family, one of the original or early owners of Nottoway.