Do you have Snapchat? Our production of Happy Days has a special Snapchat filter that will only be available to the public just prior to, during, and shortly after each of our performances of Happy Days. Save some of those snaps and send them to us via our Facebook page or via email to tom@hardroad.org and we might feature them on our Facebook page, our twitter feed, or even here on our website!
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It’s time to say goodbye to gray skies and hello to blue as Hard Road Theatre in association with the Highland Arts Council and sponsored by Woodforest National Bank and Staunton Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram rock around the clock and present the new musical Happy Days! Based upon the hit tv series of the same name and written by tv series creator Garry Marshall with music by Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer Paul Williams, the musical follows the characters (Ritchie, Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie, The Fonz, etc.) of the beloved hit tv series during the spring of 1959. Arnold’s, the famed drive-in malt shop and number one hangout, is in danger of being demolished. In attempt to raise money to save Arnold’s from being destroyed, the Happy Days gang holds a dance competition and a televised wrestling match. Even Pinky Tuscadero, Fonzie’s childhood sweetheart, returns to help and she and Fonzie rekindle their old flame.
Director Lori Wahl knows audiences will love the production and hopes that it “evokes fond memories from their childhood, high school years, or just of the tv show.” She said she was drawn to the script because of her own memories of the tv show and listening to the golden oldies music of the 1950s and 1960s. A New York Times reviewer said of the musical, “If you’re going to make a stage musical out of a television show, Happy Days is not a bad choice. All that cheerful white-bread 1950s innocence. All those instant audience associations with beloved characters and the actors who played them.” For fans of the tv series, there are several allusions and jokes that will reward those who listen carefully.
HAPPY DAYS has a cast of around 25 individuals including Mitch England as The Fonz, Amanda Juenger as Pinky Tuscadero, Weston Holzinger as Richie Cunningham, Kenzie Holzinger as Joanie Cunningham, Joshua Miller as Ralph Malph, Devonn DeLong as Potsie Webber, Tim Albaugh as Howard Cunningham, Carrie Henrichs as Marion Cunningham, Jonathon Beavers as Chachi Arcola, Linda Collman as Count Malachi, Mary Knebel as Jumpy Malachi, and Tom Varner as Arnold Delvecchio. The show is directed by Lori Wahl and assistant directed by Breanna Noe with musical direction by David Wilton and choreography by Dylan Stanley with assistance from Ashley Crane.
Performances for HAPPY DAYS are July 29, 30, Aug. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and July 31 and Aug. 7 at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be held at the Highland Elementary Auditorium located at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. Tickets are $12 each (children 3 years old and younger are free). Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Online ticket purchases stop 30 minutes before the scheduled show time. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
Hard Road Theatre Productions is a non-profit theatre organization committed to providing the greater Highland area with high-quality, affordable, live theatre productions. For additional information about HAPPY DAYS visit the Hard Road Facebook page, send an email to tom@hardroad.org, or call 618-409-6286.
Tickets for our upcoming production of DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. are now available. You only have four opportunities to see the magical production. This classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast (who is really a young prince trapped in the spell of an enchantress). If Beast can learn to love and be loved in return, the curse will be broken and he will be transformed to his human form. But time is running out and if Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and all his household will be doomed for all eternity. You can purchase tickets here.
Thank everyone for your patience. Listed below is the cast for HAPPY DAYS. Congratulations to everyone who auditioned. The read-through will be on Thursday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School. Scripts will be handed out at that time. If you choose not to accept a role, please inform the director, Lori Wahl, immediately of your decision. Again, congratulations.
HAPPY DAYS Cast
Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli – Mitchel England
Richie Cunningham – Weston Holzinger
Ralph Malph – Joshua Miller
Warren “Potsie” Weber – Nathan Harris
Charles “Chachi” Arcola – Jonathan Beavers
Pinky Tuscadero – Amanda Juenger
Lori Beth Allen – Alli Hahs
Joanie Cunningham – Kenzie Holzinger
Howard Cunningham – Tim Albaugh
Marion Cunningham – Carrie Henrichs
Leopard Mac Gates/Ensemble – C. J. Knebel
Arnold Delvacchio – Tom Varner
Pinkette Lola – Pacey Perez
Pinkette Tina – Brigid Range
“Count” Malachi Sister 1 – Linda Collman
Jumpy Malachi Sister 2 – Mary Knebel
Bully/Ensemble – Danny Osborn
Nerd Girl/Ensemble – Emma Peper
Car Hop Girls/Calendar Girls/Ensemble – Karlee Holzinger, Whitley Foehner, Danielle Boulanger
Ensemble/Women with Marian – Candy Kirsch, Angela Nuxoll
With the closure of FIRST DATE this weekend, our 15th Season has now officially come to a close. It’s been a great season that included our biggest production ever (SHREK), a state and regional premiere (DRINKING HABITS 2), and our first ever spring production (FIRST DATE). It’s been an amazing 15 seasons and we are grateful to everyone who has been a part of Hard Road over the years: patrons, casts, crews, and board members. With that said, our 16th season is already underway (auditions for DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. were this weekend) and we look forward to bringing the same high quality theatrical productions to the greater Highland area for another 15 seasons and beyond. We look forward to seeing you in the audience or, perhaps, even onstage or beyond the scenes at one of our productions in the future. THANK YOU for your support!
Hard Road’s Annual Trivia Night is next week Saturday! Outside of our actual productions, our trivia night is Hard Road’s largest fundraiser of the year. You don’t have to be a quiz master to have fun at our event. There’s a 50/50 drawing, a silent auction (with some really great items), heads or tails, and free snacks. Beverages will be available for purchase, but you are welcome to bring your own refreshments, too. Alcohol is permitted. There’s also a table decorating contest around the theme of “A Night on Broadway.” Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishing teams. Space is limited (over half of our tables have already been reserved), so ensure that you have a place by reserving your table today!