So I've gotta say that I CANNOT BELIEVE its been one year since I started blogging. It seems like yesterday that friend Colleen persuaded me to start blogging, but boy am I glad she talked me into it! You see for the longest time I'd find cool old stuff and try and tell my friends about it most would say "Thats great!" and then wonder 'what the hell is it?' others just didn't care, and after a while it was like riding a one of those plastic horses you find in front of groceries stores (going through the motions, but never getting anywhere...) haha. Then everything changed, I started 'Everyone Goes to Mick's' and I was ecstatic to get my first follower! (Missouri Micheal) then there was five, then seven and it just took off from there! I'd like to thank all of you for coming along for the ride. I've tried to make the posts entertaining and informative, most of all I try to post to you as if we were talking face to face... language, spelling, & inside jokes included! I've enjoyed getting to know all of you, and reading your posts. Since starting up the blog I have been accused of "putting on airs" for the readers, but in all honesty the two new things we started this year were"As Time Goes By", and the video segments "Here at Mick's" ... the rest was just business as usual.
Now I think a giveaway is in order.... but Im due at the Theater to help in the set of "Its A wonderful Life" so you all will have to give me some time to throw the giveaway together!
Thanks again so much for reading and being apart of "Mick's" and the Casablanca!
Well our run of "Happy Days The Musical" ended yesterdayt. We had a 2:30 afternoon show and a 7:30 show left. All the set backs aside i'v had a WONDERFUL time doing the show. I mean for the last 3 weeks iv'e gotten to spend my weekend in 1959 how great is that! The theater didnt make up a video promo of the show, but i've found a few clips from the off broadway run...
The song in this promo is called "Heartbeat" and is infectiously catchy!
Then as a surprise to the cast, I made this 'Ending credits' video!
No time to sit and be sad abotu Happy Days ending...on to the next project! "Its a Wonderful Life" the Musical! (This video isnt our cast, but its the best promo of the show!)
It was a day filled with that "warm fuzzy" feeling one gets from satisfaction. Good friends with good food gathered at the Casablanca for the last event of the year.
The Official Thanksmass Cake of 2010
(Made possible by Patricia...well she ordered it from United!)
The Grand Dinning room of the Casablanca set to the nines...
After the bulk of guests had arrived, the Cranberry sauce was cut and we sat down to Thanksmass dinner.
After dinner, we all gathered in the den to partake in the cleanest game of Dirty Christmas on record, lasting about 3 minuets.
No sooner had we opened gifts friend Savannah from Oklahoma arrived! With all accounted for we broke out the brushes and painted dough ornaments, then it was tree decorating time!
With the tree decorated it was group picture time!
This is one of the group pictures Im persistent about taking! After this picture we all change into more comfortable clothes and the festivity's continue, This year we all gathered around the Television set and watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas", of course the viewing wouldnt have been complete without our own smart-ass cometary.
From there the evening was spent reminiscing about favorite parties of the year and memorable moments at the Casablanca. All in all it was a wonderful evening and a GREAT way to end the 2010 social season. and to end it on a festive and musical note, the memebers of the Casablanca are proud to bring you.....
This Sunday marks the last social event of the season for the Casablanca. (there might be one more surprise event left before it gets to cold). Last Sunday friend Brittani helped decorate the house for the event, truth be told I fixed the table and put the aluminum tree together and she did the rest haha!
We found a recipe for "dough ornaments" that you make, bake, paint and hang on the tree, so Brittani whipped up a batch and they will be painted after dinner this Sunday!
Thanksmass is hands down my favorite get together. I know i've explained its origins in recent posts, however I don't think most people catch how formal an event this is! A few people who are on the guest list cannot seem to grasp that this is an 'up to do and fancy' not just another party haha. Last year several members of the Casablanca asked me 'why so formal?' and my answer was...
"Because almost every party during the season I don't care if you act wild and crazy, or swing from the chandelier, but I'm gonna get one damn event of you people where we dress, look, and act like civil, model people."
(As you can see the table takes a more formal setting)
This year its set for 16 guests, and its a packed house! I had to buy five more Frankoma dishes bringing my collection to 16. (I some day hope to have a full set for 20 people)
( My grandmother made this angel, and he hangs over the kitchen sink we call him Clarance )
(Our cardboard fire place I fashioned out of an old Christmas Budweiser display)
(The Den shaping up in fine form)
This year one of our after dinner Thanksmass activities is trimming the tree. In a perfect world all 16 of us would make like the "Walton's" and lovingly trim the tree while telling stories and sipping cider. However... I have a feeling we'll just be a bunch of smart asses!
(On the Coffee table, 'Quick" magazine dating December 24 1950, Christmas Carols record 1946, Merry Christmas Bing record, & Christmas with Arthur Godffrey)
Tune in next week for our "Thanksmass Special" brought to you by the Casablanca Hotel & Resort!
More Specifically the "Place" is Arnold'sDrive -In...
(The Jukebox is about 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide.)
(The Cunningham's Kitchen)
Anything in this picture look familiar?
I literally brought everything BUT the Kitchen sink (it belonged to the theater) haha! The chairs, toaster, Kat clock, and Mix Master came to the set direct from the Casablanca. The telephone and the table it sits on came from my bedroom, and the kitchen table I had in storage.
On the center stage "Arnold's set" the table jukeboxes, napkin dispensers, ice cream glasses and retro magazines I had laying around. The neon clock and all the metal food signs on the walls of Arnold's are formerly from the Flamingo Drive-In! (I surprised myself and everyone else when I remembered they were just sitting in the trunk of my car)
(Fonz's garage)
Stage left Fonz's garage, I brought some 1950's oil cans, crates, hub caps, a wrench, the fender from a 57 Chevy Truck, the red Exxon gas pump (It used to be on the side of the Casablanca), and Old coke carrier, the dart board, Light fixture ( Hey Keith does it look familiar? Told ya i'd find a place for it!) Everyone worked hard on the sets and it REALLY shows!
It doesnt look like Happy Days is going to get a video Promo, but heres some footage of the "Dial Tones" ( Richie, Ralph, Chachi, and Potsie's singing group) warming up in the alley before the show.
We opened Friday night and everything was spot on, the energy was through the ROOF! Laughs all around, I really love playing Ralph Malph because I can get away with almost anything on stage and people laugh! Anything from looking at the center fold in a Marilyn Monroe Life magazine, putting Potsie in a 'cheek lock hold', slinging my Date fro the big dance comically around the floor, even turning tail and running from danger. Apparently I have a knack for being funny?! ( And I must admit I like making people laugh) However my two favorite parts of the show come at the end of act one, The Big show stopping dance contest and the start of act two where Ralph, Richie, Potsie, and Chachi do a number called "Run". (Where guys learn that 'sometimes a little bit scared can be a good thing.') The opening weekend was a success... unfortunalty the reviewer talked more about the 'cheesy material' of the shows plot line and script rather than its energetic ensemble cast.
“Happy Days: The Musical” is a dimple-cheeked, nostalgic crowd-pleaser, a tender place in our hearts for Garry Marshall’s 1970s television series. Beloved TV series equates to, beloved new musical.
The Marshall-penned musical version of the show, which debuted Friday night at the Wichita Theatre, It’s just as original as those beloved characters, which are recognizable in the stage version.
Paul Williams’ music is one surefire hit that really sounds, feels like the catchy music of the 50's.
The Wichita Theatre has Jeremy Lynn Motley's qualities, like some very funny comical turns by Ralph (Mickey Jordan), Potsie (Sheldon Clanton), Chachi (Landon Cantrell) and the hilarious, scene-stealing Maliachi brothers (Utah Robertson and Cameron Hall). The guys of the Leopard Lodge exude confidence, The Fonz (Chris Cunningham) sports a rather impressive singing voice, the sets are wow, and the dance contest scene will get you grooving.
This definitely is an ensemble show from a high-energy group that works well together.
In the musical it’s 1959 Milwaukee, and Richie (Bryson Petersen), Ralph, Potsie, Chachi, Joanie (Casey Bachman) and The Fonz are in the midst of trying to save their favorite hangout, Arnold’s Drive-In. Apparently, whoever owns the land wants to give the diner the boot and use the land to build a mall.
So the plan is this: The gang will put on a fundraiser to help Arnold (Johnny Bond) save the place. The now famous Pinky Tuscadero (Patricia Biera), Fonz’s old flame, will head into town to judge a dance contest, and then the Leopard Lodge will bring in the wrestling Maliachi brothers to challenge The Fonz to a televised wrestling match.
But alas, when The Fonz suddenly leaves town, what’s the gang to do? It looks as if Arnold’s may have to close after all.
It’s even got the pop culture references, to Denny’s restaurants and computers (one character is named Mac Gates).
It’s very cute leads Petersen as Richie and Olivia Sterling as Lori Beth — there bright spots really get this musical to the place it needed to be.
Also, the level of singing , and many of the actors were true enough to the characters they were playing
In the end, if you remember the TV series, like me, you may be happier with this rendition of the beloved “Happy Days.”
By Lana Sweeten-Shults.
Every word is hers.
I could go into detail about how lax she is in her reviewing, or how she puts her "reviews" are more her personal opinions, but iv never been one for mudslinging in the blog-o-sphere. What it boils down too is that she isn't subjective, but im not going to let her review get me down....
These Happy Days are yours and mine, and they are truly Happy Days!
Well dear readers, cross your fingers because here we go!
Two months of rehearsals and it all comes down to tonight. The set looks great, everyone's just getting the dance steps down, and spirits are high for Jefferson's High School Class' of 1959! No word on if the Theater will make a promo video yet, ( But I will have pictures of the 'Happy Days set' up later this week).
(Pinky, Ralph, & Lee)
(Mr. Cunningham &Tina)
"Ayyyyye!"
(Ralph, Pinky, & The Fonz)
(Mr Cunningham, Fonzie, & Pinky)
(Our fabulous choreographer Bethany & Lee)
(Ralph & Pinky)
(Fonzie & Pinkette Tina)
Ralph Malph is ready to 'role em in the isles' tonight!
Just a little sneak peek! Hopefully the theater will make a video Promo for their website and I can post it!
(Ralph & Leann)
(Ralph & Jenny)
(Joanie Cunningham & Ralph Malph)
(Ralph & Pinky <3)
( left to right: Sid Sicerole, Richie Cunningham (hands up), Potsie Webber(holding butter?), Lee, Ralph Malph)
("Listen to your heartbeat, pounding out a message")
(Joanie & Lori Beth (Richie's long time girlfriend)
(Lee knocks one out of Fister Park!)
(Richie Cunningham & Chachi Arcola )
(Jefferson High School Class of 1959)
These Happy Days are yours and mine!
If your interested in coming to see the show heres all the info on the Wichita Theaters Website http://www.wichitatheatre.com/
There a few more pictures for the show on there too, hope to see some of you readers there!
