Chicago Sun Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Director-choreographer Tammy Mader keeps things moving but never quite gets her actors to go beyond the generic. One of her best moments is in the New Mexico studios of record producer Norman Petty (Michael Gerhart), when "the boys" (Cody Siragusa and Jim Barclay), joined by Petty's wife, Vi (Jennifer Loftus), pull an all-nighter to lay down some truly inspired tracks."
Daily Herald
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The main problem with the 1989 jukebox show, a standard bio-musical tracing Holly's rapid rise and brief reign as one of the country's earliest and most influential figures in rock 'n' roll, rests with Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson's clumsy book that fails to go beyond the superficial in telling the story of this seminal musician responsible for standards like "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day." The banal narrative serves mainly to link Holly's songs, appealing rockabilly-cum-rock tunes which, thanks to their irresistible hooks and smattering of twang, make the weak narrative tolerable."
SouthtownStar
- Highly Recommended
"...One can't get more finger-snapping, hand-clapping, foot-stomping exhilarated than at "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. The rousing jukebox musical, perfectly directed and choreographed by Tammy Madder, is the most spirited, joyful revival of the nostalgic rock 'n' roll show I've seen in a long time."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...Yeah, it's got all the requisite rock cliches: the bad record deal, the band breakup, the tragic accident at the height of great fame. But Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson's starry tribute to the bespectacled rock genius from Lubbock has the advantage of the great Holly songbook, shown off in two blistering concert re-creations (including Holly's history-making turn as the first white performer to play Harlem's Apollo Theater)."
Windy City Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...So if Buddy's script is bland, at least the talented Drury Lane acting ensemble under Tammy Mader's direction wring everything they can out it. But even more remarkable is that the actors also rock out playing their own instruments."
Chicago Free Press
- Highly Recommended
"...Director and choreographer Tammy Mader amazes with her contagious creativeness. She guides her cast, many playing their own instruments, with charm and guile. Justin Berkobien’s Buddy Holly is a forceful performer. His infectious musicality and full heart truly establish the tragedy of Holly’s premature passing. Jim Barclay, a professional drummer in his acting debut as Holly’s cohort Jerry, is a natural, winning wonder."
Gay Chicago Magazine
- Somewhat Recommended
"...It is possible and even a bit understandable that director Tammy Mader is moved more by Holly’s untimely death than by his life. This would explain her need to overdramatize the work. Long pauses and overwrought scenes abound and only serve to get in the way of what could have been an engaging, fun look at the artist’s life. As it is, impending doom hangs over every moment. Further, her ho-hum choreography is more Lawrence Welk than Big Bopper and, along with some very slow scene changes, doesn’t help her low-energy, high emotional tone."
EpochTimes
- Highly Recommended
"...This is a solid cast with every performer playing musical instruments as well as singing and dancing and each member of the ensemble makes this show as slick as it is. Justin Berkobien is a knockout as Buddy, with a great voice and solid acting."
ChicagoCritic
- Highly Recommended
"...The music lives on in this slick, polished and tune-full show. It has played worldwide to more than 20 million people on tour and it ran for 12 years since it opened in London in 1989. Tammy Mader’s high energy and tight staging gives these early rockers space to thrill us with their music. This is a fun night of nostalgia for many and an introduction to classic rock for teens."
