'The Most Happy Fella': A Musical About Acceptance, Forgiveness and Love

Composer and lyricist Frank Loesser described his musical The Most Happy Fella as a musical comedy - “With a lotta music!”

This is accurate. And, what symphonic music it is.

On opening night, melodious ballads tailored to fit classically trained voices reverberated throughout the Goodspeed Opera House as the curtain rose for Rob Ruggiero's production of The Most Happy Fella. Moving the time period from 1927 to the early 1950's, combining acts two and three, and adding a pivotal song that better defines a character, Ruggiero offers a fresh take on this timeless tale about love, forgiveness and acceptance. A superb cast is led by Bill Nolte as Tony, a 'notta so handsome and notta so smart' Napa Valley vineyard owner who is infatuated with a waitress,whom he affectionately calls 'Rosabella.' Instead of a monetary tip—he believes it would be insulting—Tony leaves her an amathyst tie clip, letter and his address. Tony has a huge heart that he longs to share. Under his humor and bravado lies a tenderness that Mamie Parris, as Rosabella, also feels in “Warm All Over.”

I'm getting way ahead of myself, though.

First, Tony and Rosabella, a street-smart waitress still holding out for true love, begin to exchange lengthy letters. In a rousing, well-executed production number, we meet all of Tony's vineyard workers—and friends –as he announces Rosabella's pending arrival. Because they are going to marry, Tony is 'The Most Happy Fella'. When she arrives, though, Rosabella mistakenly believes she is betrothed to Joe, the foreman, because this was the image sent by Tony. A handsome James Dean-type, Doug Carpenter portrays Joe's angst and restlessness in the haunting ballad, “Joey, Joey, Joey.” Like the stereotypical roaming cowboy, Joe is more interested in finding another place to hang his hat than finding someone to love.

When Tony is gravely injured in a car accident and is first introduced to Rosabella while lying on a stretcher covered in bloody bandages, she feels disgusted and betrayed. She is angry that he conned her into marrying him, an old man. Pressured by the doctor, Joe and all of Tony's loved ones to immediately marry him at his bedside, Rosabella reluctantly agrees. After all, Parris poignantly sings, she has “No Home, No Job.” Lashing out at Joe, Rosabella pummels him with words and fists as he soothingly sings, “Don't Cry.” They come together passionately as the Act One curtain comes down.

In the beginning of Act Two, Tony is grumpy and impatient as he is wheeled around in a wheelchair, healing slowly. Their relationship grows slowly, too, as Rosabella suggests they start anew and introduce themselves to each other properly in “Happy to Make Your Acquaintance.” When Cleo, Rosabella's best friend, arrives in Napa Valley, Rosabella realizes the depth of Tony's kindness.

The Most Happy Fella provides hope that a man and woman from varying socio-economic backgrounds and different generations could find an authentic and lasting love by accepting each others foibles. In the Goodspeed production, Nolte and Parris bring these loveable but imperfect people to life in the most perfect way.

As Tony's sister, Marie, Broadway veteran Ann Arvia beautifully conveys the role of caretaker and guardian unofficially granted to females in traditional Italian families. Lending spectacular harmonies and energetic high kicks, Ruggiero's talented ensemble of dancers and singers contributed greatly to each number in the show. They are part of Tony's family and, by the finale, we, too, want a place at the table. This is a good time to praise the actors playing Tony's three chefs, Daniel Berryman, Martin Sola and Greg Roderick. The range of their operatic voices, elocution, harmonies and comedic prowess were all molto bene! They absolutely shined in “Abbondanza!” and “Sposalizio.”

Also, last but not least by any measure, what would musical theater be like without some comic relief? And, Natalie Hill, as Cleo, and Kevin Vortmann, as Herman, deliver the goods with their Texan twang, stellar vocals and hoofing it up in “Big D.”

Along with The Most Happy Fella, Frank Loesser's Broadway hits include “Where's Charley?” “Guys and Dolls,” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” He began his career writing lyrics in Hollywood for films. Ironically, Mr. Loesser never had any formal music training. Yet he composed his first song in 1939 for the film 'Seventeen.' According to www.frankloesser.com, he worked on 'The Most Happy Fella' for four years.

His official website also announced plans for a 2014 Encores! Production of The Most Happy Fella starring Shuler Hensley as Tony.

The Goodspeed Opera House produced The Most Happy Fella in 1991. Directed by Gerald Gutierrez, the production moved to Broadway and won a Tony Award and two Drama Desk Awards.