6 AMERICAN BLUES THEATER INTERVIEW WITH MUSIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL MAHLER What excites you most about working on this production of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story? I can't wait to dive deeply back into this music. Buddy Holly's songbook is astonishing, especially considering how briefly he was with us. His songs were simple and true and cut to the heart and made you wanna jump for joy. He had a huge influence on me growing up and paved the way for many of my favorite bands. I'm not sure I'd even be a songwriter today if not for Buddy Holly - he forged the template (along with Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and others) of the rock singer who writes his own material, which was revolutionary at the time. I'm really excited to try, in this production, to make his songbook feel as fresh and dangerous and exciting to today's audience as it did in Buddy's time. What are the duties of a Music Director? The way a director is in charge of the show as a whole and the choreographer is in charge of the dance routines, I'm in charge of the music. I teach the songs and harmonies to the actors, coach them to make sure they're singing everything well, work with the band to make sure they're playing everything well, and work with the sound designer and rest of the production team to make sure it's sounding great to the audience. Especially for a show like this, in which music is so central, it's my responsibility, along with the director, to make sure the audience has a thrilling theatrical and musical experience. Assistant Producer Elyse Dolan discusses Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story with Music Director, “Tommy / Cricket”, and American Blues Theater Ensemble member Michael Mahler. Music Director Michael Mahler Buddy Holly during his U.K. tour in 1958