By Staff Reports
Coming to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts:
* “Happy Days — A New Musical”
This show, based on the hit television series, is coming in March and the musical reintroduces the Cunningham family and Milwaukee circa 1959. This time capsule is complete with familiar friends Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie and Chachi, Pinky Tuscadero and, the king of cool: Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli.
Arnold’s, the famed drive-in malt shop, is in danger of demolition so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match. Complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops and jukebox sock-hoppin’, “Happy Days — A New Musical” brings back the nostalgia of the 1950s.
The musical was created by Garry Marshall, who created, wrote and produced some of television’s most beloved situation comedies, including “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley,” “Mork & Mindy” and “The Odd Couple.” He has also directed 16 movies, among them “Pretty Woman,” “Beaches,” “Overboard,” “The Princess Diaries 1 & 2” and “Runaway Bride.”
As an actor, Marshall has played Mr. Harvey in his sister Penny Marshall’s “A League of Their Own” and Irwin in his son Scott Marshall’s debut feature, “Keeping Up with the Steins.” In 1995, Marshall wrote his autobiography with his daughter Lori, called “Wake Me When It’s Funny.” And in 1997, he built a theater in Burbank, Calif., with his daughter Kathleen, called the Falcon Theatre.
Music and lyrics are by composer Paul Williams. His diverse style of songwriting has produced pop hits recorded by The Carpenters (“We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” among others) and Barbara Streisand (“Evergreen” — the love theme from “A Star is Born”). He also composed the song “The Rainbow Connection” for “The Muppet Movie.”
Performances will be March 3 through March 8 at 8 p.m. There will be 2 p.m. matinees on March 7 and March 8.
Source: Naplesnews.com