This afternoon, we went to Cabrillo Music Theatre in Thousand Oaks where we went to see Forever Plaid. What can I say? Forever Plaid, is, ummmm, Plaid.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Forever Plaid is a revue musical about the Forever Plaid group, killed in a car crash while driving a two-tone Mercury convertible in 1964 by a bus of Catholic girls from Our Lady of Harrisburg on their way to see the “Ed Sullivan Show.” The group returns from Harmony Heaven 42 years later, presenting the show they never got to present when they were still alive. It is all four-part harmony, with songs like Three Coins In the Fountain, Gotta Be This or That, Crazy ‘Bout Ya Baby, Perfidia, Sixteen Tons, Heart and Soul, Lady of Spain, … well, you get the idea.
In short: there’s no plot, just lot of music. To get an idea of the music, visit the site for Forever Plaid: The Movie (yes, it is in the works).
So, if there is no plot to write about, and the music is about the same every show, what is there to write about? Oh, the cast. In the role of Sparky (my favorite) was Steve Gunderson, who has played the role numerous times, including at the Pasadena Playhouse. Jinx was played by Kevin McMahon, who has also performed the role nearly 1,500 times. Smudge was played by George Miserlis (part of the group The Blanks, a/k/a Teds Band from Scrubs). Lastly, Frankie was played by the only CMT retread, Robert J. Townsend. All good singers, all good plaids.
Of more interest was the announcement of CMT’s next season:
- A Chorus Line (October 27-November 5, 2006)
- Smokey Joe’s Cafe (March 23-April 1, 2007)
- Beauty and the Beast (July 27-August 5, 2007)
What’s next on the theatrical calendar? We have tickets to As You Like It: A California Confection at the Pasadena Playhouse next weekend. We’re also exploring tickets to Hair at Cal State Northridge in early May (which, alas, means we won’t be seeing Zorba at Reprise). In the quasi-theatrical vein, we’re going to the Renaissance Faire on April 29, and the weekend before that is the Train and Trolley Festival at Orange Empire Railway Museum. If you’re coming out to the Rail Fest on 4/22-23, or to Ren Faire on 4/29, please give me a holler, and perhaps we can meet up.
[Crossposted to cahwyguy and socal_theatre]
