by NEENA STRICHART
Publisher
I don’t know what I’d do without my friend Kathy King. She continually drags me out of my Long Beach/Signal Hill comfort zone and encourages me to broaden my entertainment horizons. Last Saturday she treated me to a home-cooked meal and a night at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts that did more than live up to the title of the featured play— Happy Days.
This new musical, launched its national tour at this venue last month, delivers more than expected— after all we all loved the fun of the Fonz and the innocence of the Cunningham family— but can we really expect to relive those television memories on a single stage? You bet! The only way to describe the experience of Happy Days is to imagine a blending of the musicals Grease and Bye Bye Birdie with a twist of déjà vu thrown in as the familiar characters play-out bigger than life.
With the teamwork of Academy Award-winning composer Paul Williams and the creative genius of writer/producer Garry Marshall, one would expect nothing less than a hit — and a hit it will be.
No reason to recast for Broadway — Joey Sorge as Fonzie and Felicia Finley as his love interest Pinky Tuscadero dazzle the audience with their incredible talent and over the top chemistry — not unlike Elvis and Ann-Margaret in Viva Las Vegas. Holy smokes, those two are hot, hot, hot!
Featuring familiar friends like Richie, Potsie, Joanie, Chachi, Ralph Malph, Mr. and Mrs. C and Arnold, the entire cast sings and dances its way through a bit of a campy story about trying to raise money to save Arnold’s drive-in from being demolished. Scenes of the doomed malt shoppe, the Cunningham’s kitchen as well as the Leopard Lodge and Bronko’s Garage help the audience follow the storyline with great set designs as does the accurate but not overstated costuming.
Unfortunately, Happy Days— the Musical will end its three week run at the La Mirada Theatre this Sunday, November 16. Performances will be 7:30 p.m., Thursday; 8 p.m., Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday. The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue. Parking is free. For more information call (562) 944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com
