Forever Plaid

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

It does not matter whether you have seen Stuart Ross’ Forever Plaid a dozen times or not at all. To miss the current Town Hall production would be a crime.

From Left to Right: Keegan Flaugh, Chris Whyde, Phillip Martin, and Scott McLean in a scene from Forever Plaid at Town Hall Arts Center.

The music, the harmony, the voices fill the theatre with electric energy, rocking the rafters. There was no way it could be anything else. Directed and choreographed by the magical Nicholas Sugar, music direction by the awesome Donna Kolpan Debreceni, and with the sterling cast of Keegan Flaugh, Scott McLean, Phillip Martin, and Chris Whyde, it was a safe bet this was going to be a hit before it even went into rehearsal. The finite blended voices of the four actors with power to fill the stratosphere took old warhorse songs giving them pulsating new life; songs like “Three Coins In The Fountain,” “Perfidia,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Catch A Falling Star,” “Lady of Spain,” and “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing.” The songs are performed on the Littleton stage as well, if not better than the original artists including The Four Lads, the Four Lads, The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo’s, and yes, Sparky, even Mr. C. himself, Perry Como.

Sparky? Better known as McLean, Sparky is one of the four Plaids, who met in high school in 1956 when they joined the Audio Visual Club and dreamed of singing harmony and making it big. There is Jinx, subject to nosebleeds (Martin), Smudge with dark rimmed raccoon glasses, (Flaugh), and heart throb Frankie, (Whyde). Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge’s plumbing business, they dreamed as so many did during that time. Finally, the Plaids landed their first big break at the Airport Hilton Cocktail Bar, The Fusel-Lounge. On February 9, 1964 they were slammed broadside by a school bus. They were on their way to pick up their custom-made Plaid Tuxedos. Not one of the Catholic teens on the bus was even scratched. The four Plaids were killed instantly.

Unexpectantly, some 40 years later, they are given one day to perform the show originally denied them. Nervous, uncertain, Jinx struggles with nosebleeds, Frankie hyperventilates, Sparky slides to the piano to write lyrics on his hand, Smudge needs Milk of Magnesia.

The four actors disappear behind the surprised albeit nervous teens with their white jackets and plaid cummerbunds, belt out the songs with the heart and soul of the universe behind them. Recognizing they have a built-in audience, their antics flirt with and involve audience members.

At the beginning of Act Two, Sparky hitting the stage first takes to the piano with “Heart and Soul.” An audience member is encouraged to volunteer to help him. On Saturday night it was Phyllis. Even though she didn’t know how to play the piano, she was given plenty of assistance.

A highlight of Forever Plaid is their three-minute version of the Ed Sullivan Show with jugglers, opera singers, and dog tricks while Jinx belts out “Lady of Spain.” This production’s version rises to the top of the list. Fast paced, hysterical and well timed, the visual interpretation nails the Sullivan show to the wall.

The success of Forever Plaid not only depends upon the blend and harmony of the four actors, but the well-timed moves with precision. These four work together as though they are one. The naive innocence of the 50s glimmers through the eyes and expressions of Jinx. Overwhelmed, awestruck and shuddering from the thrill of a second chance, the four actors wrap themselves in the demeanor of skittish teens and the magic of performing.

When it is time, they hesitate to leave. With a taste of success why would they? Eloquently, Frankie reminds them with one perfect note, one perfect moment, it is time to go. “It’s all anyone can ask.” It is the same for the audience. No one wants to leave.