Spectrum High School to put on ‘Happy Days’ musical

Elk River Star News

Spectrum High School theater students will be throwing it back to the late 1950s with an upcoming production of the “Happy Days” musical at 7 p.m. on both Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, at the high school. There also will be a 2:30 p.m. showing on Sunday, April 22.

“Happy Days” was a television sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1984 that followed teenager Richie Cunningham, his family and his friends, including audience-favorite character Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli. It was adapted into a musical, with the first production being in 2007 at the Goodspeed Opera House.

“It looked like a good show that fit the talent I had,” director Kathy Stelten said. “We’re a little boy-heavy here for theater kids, so it was a good opportunity to take advantage of a show that was boy-heavy.”

The musical is set in roughly season 4 of the television show, following Cunningham’s, Fonzarelli’s and their friend’s attempts to save Arnold’s malt shop from demolition with a dance contest and wrestling match.

“We wanted to make sure that everything was as it should be, so to speak,” said Conner Sharp, a Spectrum High School senior who will be playing Fonzarelli. “I’ve been trying to sound like ‘The Fonz’ from the show, and a lot of people have watched the show and gathered information to see how everybody can better play their role as a 1959 character. That’s very important, especially in this performance, because we want to take people back in time to 1959.”

One of the challenges putting on the show is that with the strange spring weather, sports and activities were sharing the gym for practices.

“My cast and I spent a lot of time in the music room, and we also hold rehearsals late one night each week, so we get the stage every week,” Stelten said.

Spectrum High School freshman Jacob Aune, who will play Cunningham, said it will be fun to show parents and grandparents a show they are familiar with, but with a new twist.

“They know the story and we get to perform it for them,” Aune said. “The audience is going to know most of the characters and expect something, but they should know we put a different spin on some of the characters; … each actor has their own individual way of acting and playing their character.”

The rehearsals have helped every member of the production bond, Stelten said.

“One of the things I really pride myself on with my group of kids is we really are a theater family,” Stelten said. “We have cast dinners once a week during the show run, so we have some fellowship time and time to get to know each other. The first couple weeks after the show, the kids are constantly coming to my room after school because that’s what they’ve been doing.”

Sharp said he agreed the best part was the people.

“We have a lot of fun,” Sharp said. “Every Saturday, we have a long rehearsal and we always get fed and then we get to talk with each other. It’s really fun to be a part of such a great team. I’m going to be really sad when I’m not a part of it next year.”

Since grades 7-12 are in the show, older kids have taken the younger ones under their wings, Stelten said.

“We have a really wide range of ages, and that’s one of the things I have loved with the theater kids is watching the older kids take leadership roles,” Stelten said. “It’s really awesome to see them step into that role.”

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and free for those 5 years old or younger.

“We have some super talented kids that I think will surprise people,” Stelten said.