Rock-n-rollers from across the Hawkeye State will make a pilgrimage to Des Moines next week for the opening of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” The Broadway musical will focus on the singing guitarist who died in a northern Iowa plane crash more than four decades ago.Jeff Chelesvig is general manager of the Des Moines Civic Center, which is hosting the show March 28 through April 2nd. Chelesvig says his marketing staff attended last month’s Winter Dance Party in Clear Lake to promote the upcoming stage event to the Buddy Holly fans.Chelesvig says another production of this show has been playing in London, England, for more than a dozen years. He says Buddy Holly has had a lasting influence not only on the British and musicians around the globe but on Iowans too.This is the show’s only Iowa appearance. While most people know how the tale will end, Chelesvig says that’s not a concern, pointing to the huge popularity of the blockbuster movie “Titanic,” among others.
