Forever Plaid tunes up for lyrical run at the Segal Centre

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February 13, 2015

The Suburban
February 11, 2015
By Sara King-Abadi


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For anyone inclined to hum along with songs like Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, the jukebox mini-musical Forever Plaid is hard to resist.

The Segal Centre’s latest show opened with a bang, a car crash and four-part harmonies. Co-produced by Copa de Oro Productions and directed by Robert Peace, Forever Plaid may be your cure for the winter blues.

The premise is simple yet otherworldly. A four-man doo-wop group crashes into a bus of Catholic schoolgirls on the way to pick up their brand new plaid tuxedos, never to perform again — until tonight.

The schoolgirls were on their way to see the Beatles perform live on the Ed Sullivan show. As a rare treat, director Peace actually appeared on the television show in the mid ‘60s, a first in Forever Plaid’s 25-year history.

Second chances abound with energetic voices as the four Plaids return from beyond the grave for their final performance. The musical revue does not disappoint, but don’t take my word for it. The bobbing heads, clapping hands and sing-alongs from the audience prove that Forever Plaid was made to entertain. The “good guys,” Jinx, Frankie, Sparky and Smudge (played by Chris Barillaro, Gab Desmond, Michael Daniel Murphy and Jonathan Patterson, respectively) do not leave any musical stone of the era unturned. Every number features their signature AV-volunteer grin, not to mention classic choreography aided by Patterson, who served as dance captain, assistant director and Plaid extraordinaire.

What shines through during the production is how much fun the multi-talented gang is having, and the harmony on stage is palpable. The meek Jinx, who eventually belts his voice in a show- stopping solo (sans nose-bleed), ping-pongs off his stepbrother, Sparky, the class clown. Smudge also plays a fool, but with an endearing, nostalgic edge, not to mention an impressive baritone. Frankie, meanwhile, is the glue that holds them all together. Like the wise hall monitor of the soul, Frankie won’t let the Plaids go without some proper closure, and proper chords. Performing on a gigantic LP for a set and back dropped with simple but dynamic visuals, Forever Plaid really lets the music shine.

Though the subject matter may sound heavy — four young men in their prime plummeting to their death — the show keeps it light, humorous and family-friendly. Backed by a skilful band that gets in on the fun from time to time, no one in the theatre during a performance of Forever Plaid can feel left out.

Forever Plaid runs until Feb. 22. For tickets or more information visit www.segalcentre.org

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