Backstage - The Fonz

	“Aaaaaaaayyyyyeeeee!”
	Two Thumbs Up for Happy Days!
	story Maureen Scott photographs Steve Uhraney Perhaps there’s nothing cooler than being The Fonz (aka Henry Winkler on the TV Show Happy Days), than playing The Fonz. It’s a dream come true for actor Jake Simons who plays Fonzie in the Stage West production of the musical Happy Days. “The Fonz can pretty much be summed up in one word: Aaaaaaayyyyyeeeee!” says Jake, mimicking The Fonz’ famous entrance line. Hearing that one word could cause girls to swoon, and guys to scatter. “I get to do all the familiar trademark gestures in this show. The Fonz is an iconic character –he’s the coolest TV character ever. Everybody wants to be The Fonz!” Jake has wanted to be The Fonz since he was about 10 years old, growing up in Mississauga. “I had a black bike with red flames on the side. It was meant to look like a cool bike The Fonz would ride,” laughs Jake. “The Fonz rode a motorcycle and he could get chicks with that bike, without even trying. In my early 20s I rode a Virago Cruiser and had long hair. Perhaps the appeal of The Fonz, in part, was that tough, bad boy image.” Jake is used to playing bad boys on stage. He played Johnny Castle in the North American premiere of Dirty Dancing at The Royal Alex in Toronto and Riff in West Side Story at Stratford. “There’s definitely a timeless appeal for the rebel. We are all fans of Marlon Brando and James Dean,” says Jake, talking about the young mavericks of the 1950s - who starred in The Wild One (Marlon Brando) and Rebel Without A Cause (James Dean). But in Happy Days, the rebel Fonzie has a cause– to help save Arnold’s Diner from the wrecking ball. The play is written by Garry Marshall, the creator of the TV series, with music and lyrics by Paul Williams. It takes us back to 1959 to the era of jukeboxes and sock hoppin’ and the local hangout was Arnold’s Dinner. When the diner is in danger of demolition, the gang reunites to help save it. All the familiar characters are here, portrayed by a stellar Canadian cast of 17 actors: The Cunninghams - Howard, Marion, Richie and Joanie, Ralph Malph, Potsie Webber, Chachi, Lori Beth. But Fonzie’s attention is on just one girl - Pinkie Tuscadero (played by Cleopatra Williams). Pinky is the girl who got away and became famous and now she and her Pinkettes are back in town to help fight the fight. Sparks fly, but does Fonzie get the girl? “I can’t say...” says Jake in a very sly, sexy Fonz-like way. “You’ll just have to come see the show to find out. AAAAAYYYYYEEEEEEE!” Ironically, Stage West is where Jake’s career began. “I’ve come full circle,” says Jake. “Fifteen years ago, I played Scrooge in A Kidsmas Carol, then the King in Sleeping Beauty, the children’s shows at the theatre.” Jake studied general Arts at The University of Western and graduated from the Randolph School of Performing Arts in Toronto. He recently starred in three Ross Petty Pantomimes at The Elgin Theatre and has over 25 stage productions and 40 TV and film credits to his name. His latest film Sacrifice is soon to be released, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Christian Slater. “I play Cuba Gooding Jr.’s cop partner.” Jake, his wife Zoe and their two daughters, aged 6 and 2, live in Guelph where they plan to open a school this summer called The Acting Centre. Jake has nailed the Fonzie look—the slicked-back hair, sideburns, cool accent, the swagger, the hands-in-the-pockets of the tight jeans and of course, the leather jacket. He studied some of the original TV shows to help prepare for the role and is thankful for the expert advice of director/choreographer David Connolly. Jake also sought the advice of Mississauga music director Anthony Bastianon because, unlike the TV show, this Fonz can sing and dance! “The songs make sense since he (Fonz) looked up to Elvis,” explains Jake. “It’s about the acting – I am an actor first. In Dirty Dancing, I was an actor who danced, and now I am an actor who sings.” When asked about his favourite line in the show that epitomizes his role, Jake jumps into character: “The Fonz is a warrior, not a worrier!” Perhaps the diner is safe after all. Happy Days, The Musical plays at Stage West Theatre Restaurant until April 24. GL	ABOVE Jake Simons plays Fonzie in the Stage West production of the musical Happy Days. TOP Fonzie with Pinkie Tuscadero (played by Cleopatra Williams).