Cabrillo Mounts Happy Days

Happy Days A New Musical
book by Garry Marshall; music & lyrics by Paul Williams
directed by Susan Morgenstern
Cabrillo Music Theatre
Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
through October 31

When Happy Days premiered in 2006 at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank it had the subtitle A Family Musical; now it's changed to A New Musical. For obvious reasons, I liked the original version better. We grew to love the Cunninghams on TV as a family and the Falcon depicted their home; in this new production at Cabrillo, the only part of the home on display is the kitchen. This is not to say that the production is not worth seeing, though, for it has a great cast - and the music and dancing and corny comic setups are terribly enjoyable backed by Susan Morgenstern's consistently even pacing as director.

Heading the cast are two Dereks, Derek Klena as Richie and Derek Keeling as Arthur "Fonz" Fonzarelli.
Both actors are terrific. With his boyish good looks and charming personality, Klena was born to play Richie. Keeling is equally appealing in a streetwise, leather jacket, more macho way, and both boys sing and dance up a storm. Misty Cotten brings out the sophistication of Pinky, but somehow the wild side is missing. Cotten, always a great singer and performer, is a tad too old for this role. Otherwise, her performance is genuine and affecting. Tracy Lore is just great as mom Marion, as are Tessa Grady as Joanie and John Richard Petersen as father Howard. The Malachis - Will Harris and Nicholas Leinbach - do fine with the outrageous comedy. Equally excellent are Benjamin Goldsmith as Potsie, Estevan Valdes as Chachi and Dane Biren as Ralph.

Choreographer John Charron keeps the dance numbers big and bright, and all production values are tip top, including sets, costumes, lights and hair and makeup.

Leave your troubles behind, and take a walk down memory lane with Happy Days. Like Grease and Saturday Night Fever before it, its nostalgia is irresistible.