TURNER – The Leavitt Area High School Thespians will be staging “Happy Daze” or, the short, “Happy Madness of Julian Thatddeus Springer,” a two-act comedy by William Gleason, on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. in the Leavitt Area High School auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Children under 5 are free.

It’s wonderful escapist entertainment for a troubled young man, until it starts turning into an escape from real life. In this serious/funny play, a young Woody Allen type, JT Springer (Jimmy Buzzell) that others consider “the weirdo” takes the audience on a frank and humorous mini-tour of his world, a tour that takes the audience in unexpected directions. In the midst of humor, this comedy has something to say.

In Act II, JT escapes into the 1950s with rock ‘n’ roll music, ponytails and poodle skirts, white socks and leather jackets. The audience meets again the wonderful Fonzie (Michael Gauthier) of the TV show “Happy Days” fame. The kids once again gather at the Malt shop and hula hoops are the rage. The world of JT’s imagination is fun for him until reality comes knocking on the door with his concerned parents (Jaimee Thibideau and Jacob White) trying to get him to rejoin the family life.

Other members of the cast include Kayla Bean, Anthony Boynton, Danielle Cohen, Andrew Davies, Nina DeSoi, Melissa Dufault, Alex Jackman, Rodney Keisman, Meagan Roux, Tim Stephenson, Chelsea VIncent, Abigail White, Daniel Ranger. Members of the cast will be present at the schoolwide craft show on Nov. 12. Tickets may be purchased at the “Happy Daze” booth.

The play is being directed by Nancy Peterson, assisted by college student Nichole Daly and produced by Penny Appleby. For more information or to reserve tickets, call Appleby at Leavitt Area High School, 225-4371.