John Smiley, Allan Gillespie, Michael Indeglio and Matt LaFontaine.
Squint and Think Plaid
''Forever Plaid'' Runs until August 5
By Kahrin Deines
July 3rd, 2007
“Squint and think plaid,” says one of the characters in Stuart Ross’ hit musical “Forever Plaid,” which is being performed by the New Provincetown Players Thursday through Sunday at the Provincetown Theater. Why? Well, because their matching plaid suits, which they ordered before being knocked off by a busload of Catholic schoolgirls, haven’t yet arrived, but the show must go on, it’s their one-time shot at the big time and they want you to see it as they had always planned it.
 | “Forever Plaid” runs Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m., with an extra show on Saturdays at 5 p.m., until August 5 at the Provincetown Theater. |
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This is just one of many moments in this lively musical revue where the audience is called on to play a role. In fact, the audience is written into the very story as a participant in the realization of a dream and this makes for a night of song and dance that feels intimate and warm, almost like you’re watching people you know deliver the smashing performance of their dreams.
Directed by Steven Yuhasz, the Players’ production of “Forever Plaid” has brought four charmers to the stage to star as the earnest, fresh-faced quartet whose story and songs comprise the show. Allan Gillespie plays “Frankie,” the debonair group leader, with real polish; John Smiley stars as a winning “Smudge,” bespectacled and deep-voiced; Matt LaFontaine positively shines as “Jinx” and Michael Indeglio does a fine “Sparky.” In their roles as a boy group from the 50s that was killed in a car crash at the start of their musical careers, these four emerge on stage bewildered to find themselves alive again and what’s more in front of an audience, and a large one at that. As the story goes, they were pulled from a limbo presumably reserved for harmonizing dreamers to be given a one-time chance to perform the show they once hoped would catapult them to fame.
And perform they do. Opening up with a rendition of “Three Coins in the Fountain,” the quartet proceeds to sing their way through myriad popular American classics including “Chain Gang,,” “Papa Loves Mambo,” “Catch a Falling Star,” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” among many others. All four of the actors have excellent voices, and together they run the scale on the solos. They also do a dazzling job of dancing while they sing, moving their way with seeming ease through an energetic and synchronized choreography.
Throughout they are accompanied by piano, bass and swing bass, which are played by Steven Bednasz, also the production’s musical director, Paul Vaterlaus and Jason Davis, respectively. The set is sparse, too, which gives good showcase to the music and dancing and allows the scene changes to be carried by mood and well-designed lighting. This light approach to setting also works well with the musical’s 50s theme, as there is an airiness to it that channels optimism.
The real charm of this musical, however, lies in the way that it makes it seem like this is a first performance for the characters every time it runs. It also matches the characters and audience together in a kind of mutual experience, where “Forever Plaid,” the musical group, tries to play the professional singers they always wanted to be and the audience plays itself, as it is asked to witness their chrysalis. And, in the hands of the New Provincetown Players while in Provincetown, playing the role of witness to these dreams come true, feels oh so natural. Viewers will leave feeling like they’ve been a part of something very good.
“Forever Plaid” runs Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m., with an extra show on Saturdays at 5 p.m., until August 5. The Provincetown Theater is located at 238 Bradford Street. To buy tickets, call 508.487.9793 or go to www.newprovincetownplayers.org or www.ptowntix.com.
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