`HAPPY DAYS' ARE HERE AGAIN HIT TV SHOW RETURNS IN MUSICAL VERSION AT THE FALCON THEATRE.Byline: RICK COCA Valley News Writer For the cast of ``Happy Days: A Family Musical!'' performing in a play based on a television show so ingrained in the American psyche presents a unique challenge. ``In a way it's a bit of a two-edge sword,'' said veteran stage actor Fred Applegate Frederick Romaine Applegate (May 9, 1879 - April 21, 1968) was a Major League Baseball pitcher in 1904 for the Philadelphia Athletics. From September 30 to October 10 he started and completed three games, winning 1 and losing 2 with an ERA of 6.43. , who plays Howard Cunningham in the production currently running at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank. ``Although this show is just a lot of fun, people come in with expectations, and they don't want to be disappointed. They'll go with you so far, but Fonzie better be like Fonzie, and Mr. Cunningham better be like Mr. Cunningham.'' Applegate, a Burbank resident for 19 years, said performing in the play -- written and directed by the original show creator, Garry Marshall, with music and lyrics by Paul Williams Paul Williams is the name of several musicians:
Early life Lane was born Joseph Lane in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of Irish American Catholic parents. in the Broadway production of ``The Producers.'' Applegate uses Tom Bosley's interpretation of Howard Cunningham to inform his own performance. ``It would be foolish for me to ignore what he did,'' Applegate said. But the actors are not engaged in mimicry mimicry, in biology, the advantageous resemblance of one species to another, often unrelated, species or to a feature of its own environment. (When the latter results from pigmentation it is classed as protective coloration. . They enjoy working with Marshall and taking some of the established ideas, beats and character quirks of the original 1970s incarnation, then mixing them with their own to create a current version of the piece set in Madison, Wis., circa 1959. Christine Lakin Christine Helen Lakin (born January 25, 1979) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Alicia "Al" Lambert on the 1990s ABC situation comedy Step by Step. of Sherman Oaks plays Joanie Cunningham Joanie Louise Cunningham Arcola was a character on Happy Days. She was the daughter of Howard and Marion Cunningham, and the younger sister of Chuck Cunningham and Richie Cunningham. in this her fifth production at the Falcon. She said she loves glancing out at audience members during the opening musical num- ber. Their expressions say a lot. ``What's this? This looks like fun,'' Lakin said about the message she gets from them. ``That locks them into the idea that this is going to be a fun rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. musical, so get ready.'' Lakin said that, in the stage version, Joanie and Chachi can't keep their hands off each other. Chachi is played by Lakin's friend Joseph Leo Leo, in astronomy Leo [Lat.,=the lion], northern constellation lying S of Ursa Major and on the ecliptic (apparent path of the sun through the heavens) between Cancer and Virgo; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Bwarie, a Studio City resident. ``To be able to find these characters together has been a joy,'' Lakin said. ``It's a little more risque ris·qué adj. Suggestive of or bordering on indelicacy or impropriety. [French, from past participle of risquer, to risk, from risque, risk; see risk.] Adj. , if you can call it that -- (1950s) risque, which isn't risque anymore.'' Lakin laughed. For his part, Bwarie watched the original series when it ran in syndication -- and only because it was deemed approved viewing by his attentive mother. Bwarie enjoys playing some of the ``Chachi-isms'' made popular by Scott Baio Scott Vincent James Baio (born September 22, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actor, who is perhaps best known for his work on the sitcoms Happy Days and Charles in Charge. , including the trademark ``wah-wah- wah'' every time Chachi kisses Joanie. He appreciates Williams' smart and heartfelt songwriting. He likes the way Marshall's book depicts different levels of romance. ``I think Garry has created something kind of neat, a love-throughout-the-ages kind of thing,'' he said. Cynthia Ferrer, who plays the beloved Marion Cunningham Marion Cunningham can refer to:
salve n. An analgesic or medicinal ointment. salve v. salve ointment. for a personal loss. She was asked to audition for the play just three weeks after the death of her husband, actor Darryl Ferrera. She knew very little about the production or who was involved. ``I almost didn't come in (for the audition),'' said Ferrer, a North Hollywood resident. But a good friend reminded her that she is happiest when working. ``It ended up being the absolutely right thing to do at the time,'' said Ferrer, ``(It's) the most loving and warm and exciting group of people. (Garry Marshall) still loves what he does. He has great joy, and he still loves actors, which we love!'' Happy days, indeed. ``Happy Days: a Family Musical!'' will play through Aug. 13; 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 3 and 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets: $30 to $35, purchase at (818) 955-8101. Recommended for ages 8 and older. The Falcon Theatre is located at 4252 Riverside Drive in Burbank. For more information, go to www.falcontheatre.com. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Joanie Cunningham (Christine Lakin) dances with boyfriend Chachi Arcola (Joseph Leo Bwarie) as Ralph Malph (Ryan Matthew) and Richie Cunningham (Rory O'Malley) look on. Lisa Gilbar/Special to the Valley News (2) Howard Cunningham (Fred Applegate) shares a tender moment with wife Marion Cunningham (Cynthia Ferrer) in ``Dancing on the Moon,'' a musical number in ``Happy Days: A Family Musical!'' Wesley Horton/Special to the Valley News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion