Racine Theatre Guild

Forever Plaid - 2006

Forever Plaid
Opens July 14

Be prepared for a trip to the 1950s at the Racine Theatre Guild this summer, as Forever Plaid opens July 14 and plays eight performances on two weekends through July 23. This highly popular musical opens the RTG’s season 69, with a track record of delighting audiences all around the country since it opened in 1990.

Written and originally directed and choreographed by Stuart Ross, with musical arrangements by James Raitt, Forever Plaid is much more than a musical revue and collection of songs from the ’50s and early ’60s. You will actually get to know the four young men who are part of the group, and you’ll thrill to the fact that they are performing their first big gig, for you, the RTG audience.

As Stuart Ross describes in his copious director’s notes, the “Plaids” follow a singing tradition like The Four Aces, The Lettermen, the Ames Brothers, and other singing groups who used tight vocal harmony in an all-guy act. You’ll recognize songs from Perry Como, Harry Belafonte, Eddie Fisher, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and more.

Forever Plaid begins with the Plaids (Frankie, Smudge, Sparky and Jinx) stumbling on the stage due to some trick of the cosmos, resurrected from 1964 when they were killed in a car crash. They had been on their way to their first big professional booking at the Airport Hilton, in the Fusel Lounge, when a bus loaded with teenage school girls on the way to a Beatles concert hits them. Now, through the Power of Harmony, they are able to come back to give their big concert at the Racine Theatre Guild.

We’ll learn a little bit about each Plaid and how each one has a flaw (asthma, a stutter, nose bleeds or worrying). They met in high school at the audio-visual club and began singing together. They graduated and got jobs, but continued to perform, believing in their music and in each other.

And when they sing, you’ll realize what talent they have! The song list includes many favorites, like “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Moments to Remember,” “No, Not Much,” “Cry,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Catch a Falling Star,” “Heart and Soul,” and “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.”

Forever Plaid has been making waves wherever and whenever it has played, collecting critical raves: “Screamingly funny! Entirely enchanting, utterly entertaining, awesome! … will put a smile on your face, a hum in your throat and a tap to your feet.” “Singing in the closest of harmony, squabbling over the smallest details and executing their choreography with over-zealous precision, The Plaids will have you rolling in the aisles when you’re not humming along with some of the greatest hits of the 1950s.” “Forever Plaid memorializes the death of a sound at the hands of rock and roll, and celebrates the pursuit of dreams despite insurmountable odds.

To enhance the fun, nostalgic ambience of the production, audience members are invited to dress in styles of the late ’50s and early ’60s. Memorabilia from the period will be on display at the RTG. At every performance of Forever Plaid, raffle tickets will be sold for two round-trip air tickets (some restrictions apply) courtesy Midwest Airlines. A winner will be drawn at the final performance and need not be present to win.

Forever Plaid opens July 14 and runs two weekends through July 23. Call the box office at 633-4218 to order tickets or for further information. You’ll be charmed by the slightly goofy and nerdy Plaids, who become wonderful singers before your eyes.

From the Managing/Artistic Director - Doug Instenes

Throwing Light on a New Season

Every year the start of a new season carries a feeling of excitement. The start of our 69th season is no exception. We look ahead to comedies, musicals and dramas that will amuse and absorb you, make you laugh and make you think.

Forever Plaid is a great choice to kick off our season, giving a nostalgic look at music from the late ’50s and early ’60s. You might remember this music fondly, think of it as “golden oldies,” or be introduced to it for the very first time. The four earnest singing Plaids will treat you to some classic songs in harmony that will resurrect an era and show us all why those great songs will never die.

As always the RTG is a busy place, with the start of our 69th season. Besides kicking off our regular and bonus plays, we are also offering the next four-play Racine Children’s Theatre season, a new Children’s Festival (save the date of July 30), the exciting Jean’s Jazz series, three comedy specials, classes and the ongoing successful SPArK, the Student Performing Arts Kompany.

We looked back at our previous season with a thank-you banquet for volunteers on June 22. Without those volunteers and our audiences, there would be no RTG. It is thanks to all of you that we are able to continue year after year, lighting up lives at all stages with our volunteers giving their enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication.

Do join us for Forever Plaid, a musical trip to the 1950s. And then join us for our entire 69th season, sure to be a delight. It’s not too late to become a season ticket holder.

Cast & Crew

Forever Plaid

Written by Stuart Ross

Music Arrangements by James Raitt