Harmonic, comic convergence in ‘Forever Plaid’

Tom Titus

Audiences at the Laguna Playhouse, it must be noted, tend to be a

little long in the tooth, which means they should be thoroughly

captivated with a musical production such as “Forever Plaid,” which

turns back the clock to the 1950s -- pre-Elvis -- when four-part

harmony reigned supreme.

This was the time of the Four Lads, the Four Aces, the Four

Freshmen and other quartets -- who warbled such richly textured tunes

as “Shangri-la,” “Rags to Riches” and the ultimate prom date theme,

“Moments to Remember.” It was an exceptionally mellow time and one I

remember fondly.

That kind of music isn’t being dispensed these days, however, so

in order to offer an evening of four-part harmony, there has to be a

logical back story. In the case of “Forever Plaid,” now ensconced at

the playhouse through July and August, the four singers all have been

dead for 40 years -- killed in a traffic accident when their car was

struck by a bus full of Catholic school girls en route to the

Beatles’ first U.S. appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

They were on their way to pick up their plaid tuxedo jackets for

their first big concert. And now, the heavenly forces have offered

them the chance to come back to Earth to give that show they never

gave in life. And they’re more than a little nervous about it.

This edginess works its way into director Larry Raben’s production

as ‘50s teenage awkwardness -- one band member suffers from

nosebleeds and is continually out of step with the rest. But, as the

evening wears on, the foursome become more comfortable and this

relaxes the audience as well. At the end, it’s standing ovation time

as the Plaids soar back to heaven.

All four members of the group have played their characters in

various other productions of “Forever Plaid,” and their harmonic

convergence in Laguna is, well, heaven sent. Their voices blend

beautifully, and their comical interaction prevents the show from

becoming merely a nostalgic ‘50s music concert.

Ryan Drummond, Steve Gunderson, David S. Humphrey and Kevin

McMahon comprise the four Plaids, backed beautifully by musical

director and pianist Diane King Vann, with John Smith on bass. Vann

adds a nice, light touch during the group’s Calypso number as she

dons the requited straw hat, but most reluctantly, then leaves to

take a personal phone call, which sets up a “surprise” bit.

All four Plaids enjoy multiple featured assignments on the various

numbers, and all are in fine voice and terrific comic spirit.

Drummond is logging his 609th through 672nd performances as the

bespectacled nose-bleeder Smudge, having taken up the character in

1999.

Gunderson’s Sparky and McMahon’s Jinx provide rich comical

harmony, while Humphrey exudes a high degree of “cool” as the group’s

lead singer. He’s especially effective when he coaxes a lady from the

audience to join them on piano for the “Heart and Soul” number.

While the finale, “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” may be the

musical high point of the show, most theatergoers probably will point

to the three-minute, 11-second rendition of the Ed Sullivan Show as

the most accomplished moment. The Plaids demonstrate their

versatility in this madcap adventure, which includes juggling and

fire-eating.

The audience gets to join in on the Calypso anthem “Matilda,” as

it did when Harry Belafonte originally sang it. The Plaids even tip

their caps to the Beatles with a harmonic version of “She Loves You.”

The recently departed Perry Como comes in for a tribute as the

Plaids re-enact a time when they kept the singer a virtual hostage

until he attended their concert. The songs “Sixteen Tons” and “Chain

Gang” are blended into a number celebrating work.

“Forever Plaid” is hardly a stranger to local audiences, with

previous productions having been staged at the Orange County

Performing Arts Center and Orange Coast College. Yet this timeless

music may be revisited most enjoyably 50 or more years from its

heyday.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.