2/9/09 10:47 AMSit On It?! Happy Days The Musical On The Road: Broadway Features & Reviews

Page 1 of 2http://www.broadway.tv/broadway-features-reviews/sit-on-it-happy-days-the-musical-on-the-road

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Broadway Features and Reviews

Sit On It?! Happy Days The Musical On The RoadBy Tara Puckey, Broadway Magazine

Remember what it was like when gas was 12 cents a gallon? Theperformers in the touring musical production of Happy Days do, or so theyremarked at a recent performance in Indianapolis. Broadway AcrossAmerica took the new hit musical to Clowes Memorial Hall, and the show'sopening was a jubilant dance number set in the famed Arnold's Diner. Theiconic 70s television series has found new life as a touring musicalproduction, good-bye grey skies...hello blue!

Happy Days: The Musical has been dancing and singing its way across thecountry. Although there were several song performances by all members of thecast, the voice of the show belonged to Felicia Finley in the role of Pinky. TheDial-Tones performed "The Thing About Girls", a fantastic number revealing thepointing, whispering, and sometimes occasional laughter from women thatdrives most men insane. Bike at his side, The Fonz (one of the most belovedcharacters ever created on television) joined Pinky in "Dancing on The Moon",the song genuinely reminded the audience how true love feels. With a creativeteam that includes Gary Marshall (who created the TV series) and PaulWilliams (who has written some of the most popular songs of the past 40 yearsincluding Rainbow Connection and Evergreen) , this musical has been craftedwith both affection and attention to detail.

That said, I expected more out of the choreography, at least in the way that itwas performed. There were, however, some fantastic highlights. The tapperformance by Marion, played by Cynthia Ferrer, and several other dancersamused the audience and prompted clapping and laughter. A rousing finalnumber by the entire company showed off some of the dance partnering skillsof the era and left everyone feeling they had just relived the happy days.

Matt Walker, playing Jumpy Malachi, James Dean, and Leopard Gates, caused loads oflaughter throughout the night. Whether he was barking like a dog, growling like a leopard,or throwing around his James Dean hair, he truly brought the show to life. Another favorite,Joanie Cunningham, played by Whitney Bashor, touched the audience with her beautifulvoice and budding love story.

Boasting comedy, song, and dance, this production sparked memories of days past formany, whether those days were on television or actually in the 1950s. Happy Days thetelevision show remains the classic nostalgic American myth. Happy Days: The Musicalwas a solid production with lots to offer, though not always quite Broadway's best. With that,I'll leave you with some advice from The Fonz:"Live fast, have fun, and never let anybody use your comb."Whoa!

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Tags:Happy Days The Musical, The Fonz, James Dean, Matt Walker, Cynthia Ferrer, Paul Williams, Gary Marshall, Sit on it, Broadway AcrossAmerica, Broadway Magazine, Indianapolis, Felicia Finley, Arnold's Diner, Whitney Bashor

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2/9/09 10:47 AMSit On It?! Happy Days The Musical On The Road: Broadway Features & Reviews

Page 2 of 2http://www.broadway.tv/broadway-features-reviews/sit-on-it-happy-days-the-musical-on-the-road

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