“Happy Days — A New Musical,” is currently on stage at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre in Nappanee. Young love is blooming as Chaci (Jake Du Vall-Early} and Joni (Violet Race) share a soda.
NAPPANEE — Step into the Round Barn Theater at Amish Acres in Nappanee and you will turn back the clock to the 1970s when “Happy Days” was “the program” to watch. “Happy Days – A New Musical” is currently on stage.
The audience is returned to the popular TV show and the 1950s as the Cunninghams, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzareli and all their friends join to help save Arnold’s from becoming part of a shopping mall.
The musical opens with “Welcome to Wisconsin,” featuring Richie, Fonzie and the company and continues with many outstanding musical numbers with everyone trying to save Arnold’s.
Derek Brookens is “Fonzie.” He is the perfect person for the part and displays his many talents as the musical progresses. He quickly captures the audience’s attention and keeps them wondering, “what’s he going to do next,” as the show progresses.
The Cunninghams, Richie (Jacob Clanton); his dad, Howard (Travis Bird); his mom; Marion (Sarah Philabaum); and younger sister, Joanie (Violet Race) each turn in a top performance: Clanton is super as the high school senior who considers Fonzie his idol. Bird and Philabaum are the perfect married couple of that era. He runs a hardware and is in charge of The Leopards. She is a stay-at-home mom with dreams of her own. Both are to be congratulated for their outstanding performances. Race does an outstanding job as the young, bashful teen who thinks she is falling in love.
Arnold’s is the typical teen hangout of the ‘50s. There are Big 10 pendants on the walls and Notre Dame pendants hang from the ceiling. Can the town save the restaurant?
Pinkie Tuscadero (Hannah Williams), Fonzie’s old flame who left town, has returned. Will she and Fonzie rekindle their relationship? Williams is dazzling in her pink clothing and is magnificent as the motorcycle queen.
Fonzie has an idea. They hold a dance contest with Pinkie and the Cunninghams serving as judges. The funds are good but not enough to save the restaurant. While they didn’t win, Richie dances with his steady, Lori Beth (Danae DeShazer) who really wants a ring on her finger before Richie leave for college in the fall. Joanie dances with Chachi (Jake Du Vall-Early) but is shy about a girl/boy relationship.
What can they do? Howard is the head of The Leopards organization. They decide to hold a wrestling match at the town’s picnic. The Malachi brothers have just been released from prison. They could wrestle Fonzie. But will Fonzie say “yes!” He wants to but has a bum knee and when Richie tries to talk him out of it, Fonzie leaves town. In the interest of saving Arnold’s, Richie and his friend, Ralph Malph (T.J. Lewis) will take on the Malachis. Ouch!
The cast is large and many wear several hats. All do a fantastic job. Dalton Tyler Isaac is Ralphie’s friend Potsie. Amelia Southerland, Akira Watanabe and Sarah Leigh Beason are Pinkettes and car hops. Matty Reda is a bully, Count Malachi and Leopard Larry. Andrew Oveton is Elvis, Jumpy Malachi and Leopard Manny Moon. Darl Horning is James Dean and Leopard Mac Gates. And, Dan Hasty is Arnold.
An extra tip of the hat to Philabaum. She is the choreographer for the show and did a magnificent job from the high schoolers showing their stuff in the dance contest to the ladies tap dancing.
Who wins the wrestling match? Does Lori Beth get her ring? What about Jonie and Chachi? And does Fonzie get his girl or is he never to return to the city? All of those questions and more are answered before the final curtain falls.
It’s fun. It’s entertaining. It brings back memories. For tickets call (800) 800-4942 or go online at amishacress.com.
