Feature: MIDDLETOWN at Myron's Cabaret Jazz At The Smith Center For The Performing Arts

The years pass by and then, decades later, the memories come flooding back during a special night with long-time friends. Middletown, an exhilarating and universal depiction of love, life, and friendship, will premiere at Myron's Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts March 31-April 2.

The cast includes well-known and loved actors who have been a part of so many lives over the generations. Cindy Williams ("Laverne & Shirley"), Didi Conn, ("Grease,"), Donny Most ("Happy Days"), and Adrian Zmed (Bachelor Party, "T.J. Hooker") bring the play to life both on and off stage.

For Conn and Most, the play became a degree of separation for the two performers. Conn's first professional acting job was appearing on "Happy Days" as Ralph Malph's (Most) girlfriend, which included her first onscreen kiss. The two had not seen each other over the decades until being reunited in Middletown. Conn played Frenchy, the beauty school dropout, in Grease and reprised her role in Grease 2 with cast member Zmed although they had no scenes together.

Grease recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, and Conn joined in the fun including hosting the Hollywood Bowl sing-along with 18,000 people.

As for her character Peg in Middletown, Conn "started to fall in love with her. Peg is unlike any other character I have played before. Yet, her character touches me very deeply in my heart. Peg is a quiet, loving friend, beautiful mother, and a really good person."

Most entered show business planning on singing but then became an actor on "Happy Days" which debuted on ABC on Jan. 15, 1974. Along with acting and voice work, he also tours in his nightclub act of Great American Standards singing and playing jazz and swing.

"It has been a long time since I saw Didi. Adrian [Zmed] and I worked together when we did a Broadway tour of Grease in 1998. I look forward to performing with everyone." Most worked with Williams when the characters of Laverne and Shirley [Williams] were introduced on "Happy Days" as a two-part episode leading to its spinoff.

"Anybody can relate to this story, whether you are friends since elementary school or two couples who have been friends for over 30 years. It is about what you share together. My character doesn't drink a martini; he drinks beer and is rough around the edges. He uses his common sense and is a no-nonsense person contrasting to Adrian's character. The two characters still connect, and it becomes a great relationship. The play captures the authenticity of those relationships and how to navigate life with friends."

Tony Award-winning GFOUR Productions is launching the play. The company also produces Menopause the Musical and Tony Award-nominated Fiddler On The Roof in partnership with Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and Delaware Theatre Company of Wilmington, Delaware.

The new play Middletown will premiere at The Smith Center's Myron's Cabaret Jazz March 31-April 2. Showtimes are 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on March 31, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on April 1 and 7:30 p.m. on April 2. Tickets are on sale beginning at $25 and can be purchased at The Smith Center Box Office, by phone 702-749-2000, or online at www.thesmithcenter.com.

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