Theatre Review: "Forever Plaid" Is A Quirky Show That Takes You Back To The Innocence Of The 50s

[yasr_overall_rating]

Once upon a time there were 4 guys: Sparky (Andrew Gentry), Jink (Oscar Seung), Smudge (Jonathan Shafer) and Frankie (Kyle Holt) who discovered they shared a love for music. They got together to become their idols – The Four Freshmen, The Hi-Lo’s and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge’s parent’s plumbing supply company, they became “Forever Plaid.” On the way to their first big gig, the Plaids are slammed broadside by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at that moment that their lives end and “Forever Plaid” begins. For one night they are allowed back on earth to perform the show they were cheated of.

Directed by Jo Sturgeon, “Forever Plaid” opens the new year and new theatrical season at Artisan Center Theater with exceedingly tight harmonies, nostalgic choreography and clever, well-delivered comedy.

As The Plaids segue through their play list, the audience gets to see who the boys behind the music are. It was easy to forget the world outside the theater as the Plaids’ awkward and innocent personalities fill the stage.

Some of the play list includes 50s and 60s classic hits “Three Coins In The Fountain,” “Moments To Remember,” “Perfidia,” “Sixteen Tons/Chain Gang,” “Heart and Soul,” “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing,” and a magnificent tribute to The Ed Sulivan Show as they sing “Lady Of Spain.”

If you’ve never heard of The Plaids, don’t worry. They weren’t a real boy group. But rather an imagined one that writer Stuart Ross puts as the centerpiece of his Tony Award-winning music review style musical. But don’t doubt for a minute that the quartet on stage tonight weren’t every ounce as good as any famous “real” boy group of the 50s or 60s. Artisan sported a near full house for opening night. The audience was so swept up in the music and encouragement from the actors for audience participation, that nearly everyone was singing along when prompted to…and many times when they weren’t! It was very obvious how the music reminded many patrons of a magical and memorable time in their lives.

I had a chance to speak to the actors after tonight’s performance. The one question that brought unanimous smiles to their faces was when I asked why they chose Artisan to perform at. “It’s a family here. No matter what you do or who you are, the audience is open and supportive of your performance. The cast, crew and management all come together to form a real family” said Andrew Gentry (Sparky). “After moving into the area and working at different theaters, ACT is always a creative energized place to learn and grow,” Jonathan Shafer (Smudge) shared with me.

Artisan Center Theater has expanded their venue this year. There are now three list of shows to enjoy on two distinct stages. Main Stage will have 7 musicals. Second Stage will host 4 straight plays and 4 musical reviews. Children’s Theater will produce 7 shows cast almost entirely with local child and teen talent. Last year ACT sold over 100,000 tickets with only two show line ups. This only happens when a theater consistently produces a high quality of show. “Forever Plaid” can very easily place itself in the winners circle with the rest of ACT’s shows of excellence.

“Forever Plaid” runs January 8 – February 20. The box office can be reached at (817) 284-1200 or online www.artisanct.com