July 01, 2025
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TLP kicks off fall programming with The Buddy Holly Story Sept. 9

Matt McClujre (Buddy) and Joe Mauldin (Roy Brown) rehearse a song from Timber Lake Playhouse's production of the Buddy Holly Story while Crickets drummer, Jerry Allison (Kenan Smith) joins in on drums. The Buddy Holly Story opens Sept. 9-19 at the playhouse.

MOUNT CARROLL – Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) continues its 60th Anniversary Season with the incredible life and legacy of one of rock and roll’s early pioneers whose musical career only lasted two years, but made a timeless impact.

The Buddy Holly Story opens Sept. 9 and runs through Sept. 19.

The Buddy Holly Story tells the true story of Buddy’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 features over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits including That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, Everyday, Oh Boy, Not FadeAway, Rave On and Raining In My Heart. The role of Buddy is recreated by Matt McClure. The final concert features Buddy, Ritchie Valens’ (Luis Garcia-Godoy) singing LaBamba and The Big Bopper (Darren Mangler) with Chantilly Lace.

TLP’s production features local DJ’s Brian Reusch of WCCI radio and the Mysterious Blind Hugo of Vintage Radio WQUD in cameo roles. The production is directed by Dan Danielowski and choreographed byFelicia Finley. Music direction is by Chris Wren with costumes designed by Aaron Kubacak and sets by Matt McClure.

The incredible legacy of the young man with glasses, whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period during the golden days of rock & roll, continues to live on in the TLP production of Buddy.

Don’t miss TLP’s Fall Fest featuring pumpkin carving and games for the kids and craft beer from area breweries and all the exciting events at Timber Lake this fall. For more information, visit the TLP website at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or call the Box Office at (815) 244-2035. The box office is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and until intermission on show days.