‘Happy Days’ with Potsie and me

Last January, I met for the first time a person I had grown up watching on TV.  I imagine you are like me and also watched TV’s “Happy Days”.  It ran from 1974 through 1984 on ABC and was one of the highest rated shows for many of those 11 years.  You remember the gang of Richie Cunningham, Potsie, Ralph Malph, and The Fonz, among others.  They depicted the typical American family growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s.

“Happy Days” was so popular that it launched a number of spin-offs you might recall, such as “Laverne & Shirley”, and “Mork and Mindy” as well as others. The setting was Milwaukee, Wisconsin: not your typical TV setting of today. The theme song “Happy Days” actually replaced the original opening song of Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock.”

For 11 years, “Happy Days” ruled the airwaves and made us laugh. Many of those laughs came from the “three amigos” of Richie, Potsie, and Ralph. Richie was obviously played by Ron Howard, Opie to most of us when he started on TV. Ralph was played by Donnie Most and was often quoted for saying boastfully, “I’ve still got it!” Potsie was played by Anson Williams and could often be heard singing on several episodes.

Back to last January: I was in New York City going from booth to booth looking for talent to bring to the Niswonger and I just happened to come to a booth of one of my agent friends, Tom Fowler of Capital Productions International. Tom said, “Hey, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Anson Williams.” Well, it didn’t take me long to see that I was shaking hands with Potsie himself! We shared a few pleasantries and I told him thanks for all the happy days on TV.  My, how he made my dad laugh! I would love to hear my dad laugh again. Many of you know what I mean. Well, I had the wits to ask Potsie for a picture. The results are what you see above.

Anson was a nice, down-to-earth man and was very approachable. He told me about the stage show he was starting to take on the road with his old friend, Donnie Most (Ralph Malph). He said they have a great time sharing stories and watching film cuts of “Happy Days”, as well as performing music from that era. Ironically, although it was Potsie who sang on the TV show most often, it’s Donnie who has gone on to perform the most (no pun intended) since the TV show went off the air.

Donnie, or Don Most as I think he now prefers to be called, is a very good big band singer and will be accompanied on their stage show with a big band as he and Anson sing music from the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Anson convinced me we should bring this fun show to the Niswonger and now you have the opportunity to see these guys and relive those happy days on our stage come October 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Wouldn’t you know as I was walking out of the Hilton in Manhattan after meeting Anson, who should I see but Don Most standing alone in the lobby? Well, I just had to take the opportunity to meet him, too. So I walked up to him and said I hope to see you in Van Wert, Ohio, next year. He was a bit more timid than Anson, but said, “Thanks, I’ll look forward to it!” We’ll see if he remembers our chance meeting come October 1.

Many tickets have been bought up already through Grand Series and Select Series purchases, but now you can purchase individual tickets for “Happy Days Live!” beginning today (July 20). We still have some great seats available, with tickets starting at just $20, and they can be purchased by calling the box office, stopping by, or online at NPACVW.ORG.  Come October 1, I’m sure you’ll want to say, “Goodbye gray skies, hello blue” and get some laughs at the Niswonger with “Happy Days Live!” Potsie and Ralph will be expecting you!

This Friday night in Fountain Park will be an exciting and fun one. Country fiddler Chris Higbee (formerly of Poverty Neck Hillbillies) and his band will entertain. He has been referred to as a young Charlie Daniels. One thing for sure, he will fiddle up a storm; and there could be some real surprises come Friday night!  I’m just sayin’.  Come and find out.  Music begins at 7 p.m. and Portal 2L20, a new non-profit teen center, will be serving the food.

FINÉ.