Happy Days (musical)
| Happy Days | |
|---|---|
| A New Musical | |
Logo
|
|
| Music | Paul Williams |
| Lyrics | Paul Williams |
| Book | Garry Marshall |
| Basis | Sitcom Happy Days |
| Productions | 2007-2008: Goodspeed Opera House 2007: Paper Mill Playhouse 2009-2010: 1st National U.S. Tour 2011-2012: Italian Tour |
Happy Days is a musical with a book by Garry Marshall and music and lyrics by Paul Williams, based on the ABC TV series of the same name. The story is set in approximately during Season 4 of the original sitcom. The story concerns the kids' plans to save Arnold’s from demolition by hosting a dance contest and wrestling match.
It is 1959 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Richie Cunningham is about to graduate high school and go off to college. His friends and family meet at Arnold's malt shop, and, together, bid the audience welcome ("Welcome to Wisconsin"). Arnold breaks the bad news that a construction company has plans to turn his restaurant into a mall. Arthur Fonzerelli (Fonzie) vows to save the day.
The next morning, Lori Beth tells how all the other girls are getting engaged before going to college, and she wants to know why she is not. This is interrupted when Ralph, Potsie, and Chachi drop by. Chachi then informs everyone that Fonzie's former flame, Pinky Tuscadero, is coming to Milwaukee to host the dance contest. After Fonzie leaves, the boys start their "Dial Tones" rehearsal. They talk about how much they do not know about girls ("The Thing About Girls"), but rehearse anyway ("Romeo Midnight").
Across town at the Leopard Lodge meeting ("Leopards Are We"), Howard suggests a wrestling match between the tough Malachi brothers, Fonzie's nemesis, and Fonzie. The Leopards promise Howard a plaque if he is able to talk Fonzie into the scheme, expecting it to bring a great deal of media coverage ("The Plaque").
Back at Arnold's, the Dial Tones welcome Pinky Tuscadero and she makes her grand entrance ("The Pink's in Town"). As Arnold takes Pinky and her Pinkettes into the kitchen to go over their schedule, the Malachis make their entrance ("Malachis"), only to have their bike crashed into by Fonzie. Arnold closes up before trouble ensues. At this moment, Fonzie and Pinky see each other for the first time in years, rekindling some old feelings. As Chachi and Fonzie talk about girls, we hear about Fonzie's and Pinky's history, and Chachi asked Fonzie how to know when something is over and how to get to know a girl. Fonzie says "you've just gotta learn to listen with your heart" ("Heartbeat").
At the Cunningham home, Marion, after being rebuffed by Howard, ponders the plight of the 1950s housewife. She is joined by Joanie who laments the curse of being a lovelorn 1950s teen, for Joanie is in love with Chachi ("What I Dreamed Last Night").
...
Wikipedia