By Carol Davis
SAN DIEGO — For the “Forever Plaids” their return to San Diego is a welcome sight. Just as a short trip down memory lane the musical Forever Plaid started at the Old Globe way back in 1991. The off- Broadway musical comedy, written by Stuart Ross hit New York in 1990 and became an instant success with follow up shows like Plaid Tidings and The Sound of Plaid; Forever Plaid School Vision (a version for high schools) and Forever Plaid: The Movie.
For San Diego historians, Forever Plaid was the longest running production (1996-2001) at the Theatre in Old Town then managed by Miracle Productions run by Jill K. Mesaros and Paula Kalustian. Since 2008 Cygnet Theatre Company is housed in the space. Artistic director Sean Murray is now producing and operating the theatre with more diversity, producing shows on a regular basis. Back in 1996 a trip to Old Town without seeing ‘The Plaids’ would be like having a picnic without ants.
Speaking of taking trips back, that’s the premise of Stuart’s “Plaids” musicals. Corny as it may seem, four high school friends Jinx, Smudge, Sparky and Frankie formed a little harmonizing group and practiced every day after school and work. They practiced in the basement of one of the guy’s dad’s businesses until they landed their first gig. (I’ll let them tell you about that)
While on their way to the gig they collided with a bus filled with a group of gals from a Catholic School who are on their way to see the Beatles make their debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.
None of the boys survived and all went to heaven or wherever it is that singing groups go in the hereafter. As fate would have it, they get one more chance come back to do the show ‘they never got to do in life’.
On this one foggy night the Plaids return to earth to get one more chance to fulfill their dream. This time however, (as opposed to the very first time) their return is around the holiday season and that’s how “Plaid Tidings” was born.
Enter Jinx (Leo Daignault), Smudge (Jason Heil), Sparky (David Brannen) and Frankie (Michael Winther) carrying a suitcase and lighting their way to the stage with a candle. They are still surprised to be back on earth and can’t get over their luck in being back on earth. WOW!
Keep in mind the accident happened in the 50’s when singing groups were all about, well singing groups like The Four Lads, The Four Aces, The Four Freshmen, The Drifters, The Lettermen and the list goes on. Television was all about The Ed Sullivan Show (They do a very clever fast track roundup of Sullivan favorite guests) and favorite crooner Perry Como’s ‘Dream along with me…’ was a password to great entertainment.
More than the corn of the story and how it all came to be (which is narrated and poked at throughout), the music is the heart of this show. If you are anything like yours truly, the music of the 50’s and 60’s is at the heart of my being. I love the music, the harmonizing, the schmaltz, and the fun of it, the everything. In fact, I could hum (very quietly) every one of the songs.
I don’t think over the years, since the original Old Town days that I’ve ever seen a bad “Plaids”. This production is no exception. The lads or Plaids currently performing at the Old Globe are in perfect harmony and they are just plain fun to watch as well.
Heil’s Smudge is as clumsy and nearsighted as ever especially without his specs. He’s also quite charming and his voice stretches wide ranges making him somewhat unique to the group. David Brennan, one of my favorite dancer friends is great as Sparky the trickster. Both are local actors who contribute much to our theatre community. Love, love, love both Daignault and Winther’s voices. All four harmonize beautifully. I could have listened all night.
It’s difficult picking out favorites but what comes to the top are “Stranger in Paradise”, “Mambo Italiano”. “Matilda” (be prepared for audience participation), “Moments to Remember”, “Hey There”, “Mixmaster Christmas” and “Twaz Tha Nite Be4 Xams” (a hoot). All four have tons of showmanship under their belts and opening night was no exception.
The show sailed along at a nice pace. It looks exactly like every other Plaid show with direction and musical staging by Stuart Ross with one exception, this show is done in the round. At first I thought it might become a liability since some audience members would sometimes be looking at the performers backs but it turned out to be a non-issue. The seasoned group played well to north, east, south and west.
Chris Rhynne’s lighting is perfect as is Paul Peterson’s sound design. Chris Luessmann’s projections enhance the storybook fable and the plaid costumes, originally designed by Deb Stein got a big boost from Charlotte Devaux, resident costume designer at the Globe. Don LeMaster’s musical direction with Steven Withers on piano and Tim Christensen on bass all comes together for a night of musical entertainment is hard to pass up.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: November 26th– December 26th
Organization: Old Globe Theatre
Phone: 619-234-5623
Production Type: Musical
Where: Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way
Ticket Prices: $35.00-$67.00
Web: theoldglobe.org
Venue: Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre