San Jose Stage Company with Pacific Repertory Theatre presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story for an open-ended run beginning with a gala opening Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. A rock 'n' roll story capped by tragedy when Buddy Holly's chartered plane crashed en route to a show, also killing singers Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Holly was only 22 years old. His place in music history, however, is unquestionable, as he is considered by many to have been at the forefront of the birth of rock 'n' roll.

Holly's classic songs, including "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day," tell the story of his life as the cast of Buddy presents a slice of the singer's short but rich life. The musical, which touches on major events marking Holly's life and death, including recording sessions, concerts and his famous two-week courtship and hasty marriage to Maria Elena Santiago, is really shaped by his music.

Considered by many rock historians to be one of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll, playing a style of music he called "Western Bop" in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, Holly honed his skills performing in local clubs starting at the age of 13. As the lead vocalist and guitarist for his own band, called The Crickets, Holly and his friends found fame and fortune, as well as critical acclaim, at a young age. A teenage heartthrob by the age of 19, he was already winning over diverse audiences in New York's famed Apollo Theater, where the booking agent hired his group sight unseen because he assumed Holly was black. Initially booed by the Apollo crowd, The Crickets were a hit by their third performance date.

Although Holly's life was cut short by tragedy, he is remembered for his enthusiastic and energetic performances that for three years made him one of the most successful performing artists of the time. Now his music lives on in recordings, which have sold more than 40 million copies, and in performance pieces like Buddy, which debuts in San Jose after a 12-year run in London's West End.

Travis Poelle plays the title role, accompanied by Michael Downing and Stewart Lyle, who play Joe B. Maulding and Jerry Allison, the core members of The Crickets. Scott Free plays J.P. Richardson, a.k.a. "The Big Bopper."

San Jose Stage Company presents an open-ended run of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story beginning Aug. 16. Regular performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $28­$38. Call 408.283.7142 or go to www.sanjosestage.com for more information. The Stage is located at 490 South First St. in downtown San Jose.