These days are ours!

Published 10:24 am Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Leopards discuss ways to raise money and save Arnold’s malt shop. From left are Sergio Salgado, Brian Mattson, Keith George, Dustin Smith and Tony Segura. –Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune

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Happy days are here again — literally. The rockin’ and rollin’ tunes of the 1950s are featured in “Happy Days, a New Musical,” which opens tonight.

The musical, directed by Steve Kinney, has a whole host of songs that weren’t written in the ’50s, but they follow the same style. All the songs were written for the musical other than the title track.

“It hits on many of the different ’50s styles: rock ’n’ roll, ballad and four-guy harmony,” Kinney said. “They’re really good.”

During the first week of shows, Albert Lea’s sweetheart Marion Ross will be present at each showing. She will speak right before the curtain is up, and she will be around after each show to mingle with the audience and actors. Ross played Mrs. Cunningham on the original TV show “Happy Days.” Kinney said he’s a bit nervous for Ross to see the show, but that all the actors have done a great job of making each part their own.

“It has to go through your head — her name’s on the theater,” Kinney said. “But with every show we’re trying for the best quality we can.”

The cast comprises many teens and has just a handful of adults. One of those adults is Diane Heaney, who plays Mrs. Cunningham in the musical. Heaney, who directs the choirs at Albert Lea High School, said many of the other actors are her students and that they’re all doing a good job.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Heaney said.

She said she’s not nervous about playing the iconic Mrs. C role in front of Ross, but she’s also not sure how she’ll feel when Ross is actually in front of her in the audience. Heaney remembers watching the show each week with her family when it played in the 1970s and early 1980s.

All the classic characters can be found, including Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham and their children Richie and Joanie. Then there’s The Fonz, and his love interest Pinky Tuscadero. Richie’s cronies Ralph Malph, Potsie and Chachi are also present. The musical’s story is that classic Arnold’s malt shop is in danger of demolition and the gang tries to find ways to save it.

“It’s got all those silly, fun teenage antics,” Kinney said. “It’s an upbeat, happy, fun time.”

The show opens at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Shows continue at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A 2 p.m. matinee will be on Sunday. There will be five shows during the musical’s second week, at 7:30 p.m. July 16-20. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students. Find tickets online at www.actonbroadway.com or call the box office at 377-4371.