Cast Annouced for 'Happy Days' at Papermill, Begins 9/26

Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn, NJ) announces its mainstage production of Happy Days: A New Musical, based on the hit Paramount Pictures television series created by Garry Marshall who also wrote the book, with music and lyrics by Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams.  Directed by Paper Mill favorite Gordon Greenberg, this musical comedy promises to be a treat for young and old alike. Happy Days: A New Musical will run at the Millburn theatre from September 26, 2007 through October 28; officially opening Sunday, September 30 at 7:30PM.

"Goodbye gray skies, hello blue! Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable king of cool Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures' television series, Happy Days: A New Musical reintroduces one of America's best loved families, the Cunninghams, and the days of 1959 Milwaukee complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops, and jukebox sock-hoppin'. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hang-out, Arnold's, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match against former Phister prison members Count Jacques and Jimbo, aka the infamous Malachi Brothers. Even the daredevil diva Pinky Tuscadero returns to help and reunite with her 'legend in leather,'" state press notes.

Joey Sorge (The Drowsy Chaperone, Thoroughly Modern Millie) stars as The Fonz.  Richie Cunningham will be portrayed by Rory O'Malley (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee).  Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer) plays the spirited Pinky Tuscadero.  Patrick Garner (Gypsy) plays Howard Cunningham.

The cast also stars Cynthia Ferrer (Marion), Natalie Bradshaw (Joanie), Todd Buonopane (Ralph Malph), Christopher Ruth (Potsie), Eric Schneider (Chachi), Michael J. Farina (Arnold). 

The members of the ensemble include: Scott Barnhardt (Scooter),  Julia Burrows (Lori Beth), Andrea Dora (Paula), Lisa Gajda (Pinkette Sally), Stephanie Gibson (Pinkette Lola), Lauren Parsons (Louise), Tom Plotkin (Jumpy Malachi), and Andrew Varela (Count Malachi), who was last seen at Paper Mill as the "Pirate King" in Pirates!.

Happy Days will be directed by Gordon Greenberg, who directed Pirates! for Paper Mill last summer.  Emmy and Grammy award-winner John McDaniel is Music Supervisor.

The book for Happy Days: A New Musical is by Garry Marshall, who is a veteran producer, director and writer of film, television and theatre.  Mr. Marshall has created, written and produced some of television's most beloved situation comedies, including "Happy Days," "Laverne & Shirley," "Mork & Mindy," and "The Odd Couple."

Happy Days: A New Musical will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30PM, Thursdays at 2PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM & 8PM and Sundays at 2PM & 7:30PM. 

Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92.  Student rush tickets are $16.25 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org.