As the saying goes, you can’t go home again. 

The truth is, you can, but you must be met by your mother (and half the town) at the airport and be serenaded by a musical theater spoof of a 90s pop anthem that will surely make Millennials and Gen Xers alike both laugh and cringe as it unfolds. 

Charlie (Harry McNaughton) gets the news that his Visa has been revoked.

Charlie (Harry McNaughton) gets the news that his Visa has been revoked.

Credit: Photo by Andi Crown

That’s what happens to Charlie Summers (Harry McNaughton). A Broadway vet whose Visa has expired, he’s forced to leave New York City behind for the place he never expected to return to: Tauranga, New Zealand, where he’s the hometown hero. A child prodigy, he was the star of local stage shows and beloved by his town until he got his big break overseas. His mother, Gaye (Rebecca Gibney), is his most ardent supporter and the president of the local amateur theater society, Pizazz, and she’s on a mission to both welcome Charlie home and get him involved with managing Pizazz’s latest musical, The Trojan Horse, directed by the temperamental Adrian Templeton (Peter Hambleton), who’s keen to remind anyone who will listen that he’s directed a total of 113 shows at Pizazz so far.

Adrian (Peter Hambleton) learns that Charlie is going to help with the show.

Adrian (Peter Hambleton) learns that Charlie is going to help with the show.

Credit: Photo by Andi Crown

This is the plot of Happiness, the new musical comedy coming to GPB from PBS this December. And it couldn’t be premiering at a better time: December is a month full of joy, music, and well, happiness, and Happiness fits right in with a cast of larger than life characters, secrets, scandal, and catchy musical numbers that unfold over the course of six half-hour episodes. It’s a show full of heart, as each character must contend with their own dilemmas in order to find their own definition of happiness, on or offstage. And of course there’s plenty of songs, each performed by Happiness’ talented cast. It’s a wonderful addition to your Sunday night TV lineup during the holiday season, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself tapping your foot or humming along with The Trojan Horse’s catchy numbers about the Trojan War.

But if you can’t get enough of Happiness’ soundtrack, don’t worry: it’s available to stream now on Spotify. 

Jacqui James (Jessie Lawrence) in her dressing room.

Jacqui James (Jessie Lawrence) in her dressing room.

Credit: Photo by Andi Crown

Happiness premieres on GPB-TV on Sunday, December 14 at 8 p.m. with two 30-minute episodes and will be available to stream on GPB Passport.