Keller feels heat playing Holly in home town
Sean Keller grew up loving the music of Buddy Holly, but he never dreamed he’d be playing that same music, especially not while trying to be Buddy Holly.
Keller will star as the famous musician in the Cactus Theatre’s upcoming production of ”Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” opening Thursday as part of the Buddy Holly Center’s Grand Opening Gala. The production opens to the public on Friday at 8 p.m.
”This is the most fun show I’ve ever done,” Keller said. ”I get to sing and act and play guitar. To do a musical this good a is joy.”
He said he really does sing and play guitar but learning Holly’s songs has proved a little difficult.
”It’s always seemed that I have a facility for doing voices,” he said. ”I’m not trying to do a straight impersonation of him because that would reek of a bad Las Vegas act. But, learning to sing like Buddy is tricky. Getting his spirit and his phrasing is challenging but I like doing it.”
Keller’s previous acting experience includes the same production at a theater in Santa Barbara, Calif., and ”Rent” at a theater in Boston. He also has appeared in numerous student films.
”(Doing this production in California) was an amazing experience,” he said. ”When Don (Caldwell, co-director and producer of the Lubbock production) called me and asked me about doing it here, I jumped at the chance. It was a no-brainer.”
Keller said many of his friends thought he had lost his mind when he agreed to do the production in Lubbock where many people knew the real Holly. He admits it does add extra pressure.
”That’s what acting is Ð challenges,” he said. ”I don’t know if I’ve ever faced a greater one. I’m playing Buddy and I’m also coming in after Donny Allison who was a fabulous performer. It adds a little bit of pressure but everyone’s been very helpful.”
Although he hasn’t met any of Holly’s brothers or members of The Crickets, he has talked to Maria Elena Holly, Buddy’s widow.
”I talked to Mrs. Holly and she couldn’t have been sweeter,” he said. ”She apologized to me for not being able to be here for the production and the opening of the center. She even extended an invitation to me to visit her if I’m in Dallas.”
Keller has researched his role thoroughly by reading every biography he can find about Holly but has avoided watching the movie made about his life.
”I saw it when it first came out,” he said. ”It was the first time I realized all of those songs were by the same guy. I thought it was a fabulous movie but I’ve stayed away from it. I wouldn’t want to do an imitation of Gary Busey playing Buddy Holly. I’ve just tried to devour as much as I can and being here helps a great deal.”
Keller said everywhere he has gone while in town he has met someone who has shared a Holly story.
”I run into people every day,” he said. ”They’ve been an invaluable source of information. I’m just trying to take in Buddy’s Lubbock. There’s no way I can be Buddy, but I can try to be as true to his spirit as possible. It doesn’t hurt to be tall, skinny and a little geeky-looking.”
After the local production ends, Keller said he will go back to being an unemployed actor in Los Angeles, but he hopes his role will help him get roles in the future.
”There’s a national tour of this show beginning in November,” he said. ”Hopefully, this will give me a leg up.”
While he doesn’t think he looks like Holly, Keller said it will be the best part of his time in Lubbock if others do.
”That’s the most flattering thing,” he said. ”In all honesty, I don’t but if I can embody him, that’s the greatest compliment.”
By ANDREA BROYLES
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
