HAPPY DAYS, A New Musical Makes First Stop on Tour at La Mirada Theatre

Happy Days – A New Musical launches its national tour at La Mirada Theatre in October 2008. For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets please visit www.lamiradatheatre.com.

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.  This time capsule is complete with familiar friends: Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie and Chachi, Pinky Tuscadero and of course, the king of cool: Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli. Arnold's, the famed drive-in malt shop, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match.  Complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops and jukebox sock-hoppin', Happy Days – A New Musical brings back the nostalgia of the '50s in a perfect family entertainment.   

Bob Boyett, Nice Productions, Inc., McCoy Rigby Entertainment, CBS Corporation, Tom Miller and La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts are thrilled to present the second production of La Mirada Theatre's 2008-2009 season of shows, the launch of the national tour of Happy Days -A New Musical, book by Garry Marshall, music and lyrics by Paul Williams, directed by Gordon Greenberg, Music Arrangement and Music Supervision by John McDaniel and Choreographed by Michele Lynch.  Happy Days - A New Musical will begin performances on Friday, October 31 and will run through Sunday, November 16 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue. 

Garry Marshall (Book) has created, written and produced some of television's most beloved situation comedies, including Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Mork & Mindy and The Odd Couple.  He has directed 16 movies.  Among them are Pretty Woman, Beaches, Overboard, The Princess Diaries 1 & 2 and Runaway Bride.  As an actor he's played many memorable roles, including 'Mr. Harvey' in his sister Penny Marshall's "A League of Their Own" and 'Irwin' in his son Scott Marshall's debut feature, "Keeping Up with the Steins."  In 1995, Marshall wrote his autobiography with his daughter Lori, called "Wake Me When It's Funny."  And in 1997, he built a theater in Burbank, California with his daughter Kathleen, called the Falcon Theatre.

Academy Award-winning composer Paul Williams (Music and Lyrics) brings a new energy to the '50s genre.  His diverse style of songwriting has given the world pop hits recorded by The Carpenters ("We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays" among others) and Barbara Streisand ("Evergreen" – the love theme from "A Star is Born"), to the frothy confection, "The Theme to the Love Boat."  He also composed the song "The Rainbow Connection" for "The Muppet Movie."   
 
The cast of Happy Days - A New Musical includes Joey Sorge as Fonzie, Cynthia Ferrer as Mrs. Cunningham, John Massey as Mr. Cunningham, Steven Booth as Richie Cunningham, Chris Fore as Potsie, Felica Finley as Pinky, Barry Pearl as Arnold, Eddy Rioseco as Chachi, Whitney Bashor as Joanie, Molly Alverez as Lori Beth and James Michael Lambert as Ralph Malph.  Also featuring Justin Duval, Gabrielle Hatchett, Matt Merchant, Jaclyn Miller, Jill Morrison, Leah Sprecher Jeff Sumner and the Troubadour Theatre Company's Matt Walker.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, now in its fourth decade, has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California."  This beautiful state-of-the-Art Theatre has been producing quality productions for its Southern California audiences since 1977.  The theatre has produced several national tours and is the recipient of many accolades including Ovation and Emmy Awards and Tony Award nominations.  The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue. Parking is theatre-adjacent and free. For further information 562-944-9801or visit  www.lamiradatheatre.com

McCoy Rigby Entertainment combines the talents of musical theatre star Cathy Rigby with Tom McCoy's extensive production and theatrical experience and has become one of the nation's premier theatrical production companies. Credits include Tony-nominated Broadway shows, long-running national tours, multiple-award-winning Los Angeles stage productions, and hit TV specials.

 

Photo by ©Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging.

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