Marion Ross will visit Albert Lea for the opening of ACT’s new musical ‘Happy Days’

Albert Leans will have plenty of chances to see former resident Marion Ross during her visit this week.

A highlight of her visit will be to see the Albert Lea Community Theatre’s new show “Happy Days, a New Musical.” Marion was the original Mrs. Cunningham on the long-running TV show that the musical is based on.

The public is invited to see Marion before and after each presentation. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, then there are shows at the same time on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; these shows are all sold out. Marion will be at the theater at 7 p.m. to meet people, as well as after the show around 10:15 or 10:30 p.m. On Wednesday, organizers are hoping to have Marion drive up in a classic car in front of the theater, and people are welcomed to stand outside and watch her drive up. Theater volunteer Rosalie Truax said Marion is excited to see the show.

“The whole first week is sold out but there are some good seats for the second week left,” Truax said.

Marion will also be at the theater at 1:30 p.m. July 14 before the matinee of the musical. After the show she will attend the ribbon cutting of the new Marion Ross exhibit at the Freeborn County Historical Museum. The museum’s Executive Director Pat Mulso said the public is welcome to attend an open house from 5 to 7 p.m., and the ribbon cutting will be at 5:30 p.m.

Mulso said the exhibit is much larger with the space added during the museum’s expansion. The open house will also have hors d’oeuvres and is free to members. Nonmembers of the museum are asked to pay a $3 donation to attend the reception. Mulso said the museum expansion’s official open house for the whole building will be scheduled the week before the fair.

There are still more opportunities to see Marion during her week in Albert Lea. She will attend a fundraiser for the Albert Lea Art Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. The reception will be at Prairie Wind Coffee and will benefit the art center’s general efforts.

Tickets to the art center fundraiser are $15 and are available at the art center or by calling 373-5665. Marion will attend the reception, which will also have wine tasting, coffee tasting, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment by Jennifer Ordalen. It’s optional for guests to wear vintage clothing. Art center volunteer Carole Bower said many businesses helped with the event.

“It was done almost all through donations,” Bower said.

Marion will also have a private cruise on the Pelican Breeze II on Friday afternoon. Truax said she and other organizers wanted Marion to have events all over town and with different organizations.

“It’s a nice opportunity for all the art and culture in town,” Bower said.

See Wednesday’s Albert Lea Tribune for a story and photos on “Happy Days, a New Musical.”