By Kimberly Harper
“Forever Plaid,” Stuart Ross’ jukebox musical about a male singing quartet back from the dead (yes, it’s a comedy) is at Jenks Auditorium for one more weekend, and it may be one of the most fun musicals you’ve probably never heard of.
We start off in 1964, when The Plaids, the aforementioned four young men, are driving to a gig when a bus full of nuns hits them, killing them all (yes, it’s a comedy). But by some strange feat of astral intervention, they’ve returned, in present day, to the Fusel-Lounge at the Hilton Cocktail Bar to put on the concert they never got to perform. What follows is two hours of retro hits and medleys, often with a twist (Things You Didn’t Know Could Go in a Calypso Number: Sombreros, Flamingos, Hawaiian leis). The band is on stage the whole time, interacting with the quartet, who often stop to talk to the audience about their lives – or afterlives, depending.
Community Players director Andrew Bobola has brought back Ronald Procopio to lead the band (which marks Procopio’s 20th production with the Players) and rounded up a whole lot of talent in just four young men. Joseph Catanzaro plays Frankie, who seems to be the leader of the group, or at least, the member who consistently knows what’s going on as the others are plagued by forgotten words, stage fright, and chronic physical maladies. Matthew Fagan, who plays Sparky, is the one who has to implore the band leader to give him song lyrics to write down on his arm, but it’s ok, because Jinx (Nicholas Mercurio) is busy cauterizing his latest nosebleed. Meanwhile Smudge (Daniel Thomspon) is busy telling us about the items he chose to bring with him to the afterlife. (You’re allowed one suitcase, you see. His is filled with an impressive number of records.) And Scott Morse lends his voice to the off-stage narrator.
All four of the quartet are accomplished singers with strong voices, and the show is set up in such a way that each gets his time in the spotlight. Mercurio’s tenor range sounds especially good in the calypso section, whereas Thompson gets to show off his equally impressive bass in “Sixteen Tons.” One of Fagan’s standout numbers is definitely “Catch a Falling Star” – his smooth sound fits perfectly with the retro vibe of the show, and Catanzaro especially caught my ear in “Dream Along with Me.” Together, their harmonies are tight, exactly what the show needs.
The production got off to a bit of a slow start but picked up about 20 minutes in and was great from there on out. There’s an especially funny moment in Act 2 where the group acts out the entire Ed Sullivan Show run in under four minutes, which will literally have you laughing out loud. Procopio on the keyboard, Ryan Procopio on percussion and Keith Udelson on the bass keep things moving, and there are several moments in the show that allow for audience participation. (In other words, don’t tell them you know Heart and Soul unless you’re prepared to hop on stage and play it.)
Overall, “Forever Plaid” is an obscure, uncomplicated musical that provides some undeniably funny moments and a lighthearted evening out. If you’re not in it for the jokes, come for the talent, and you’ll be leaving happy.
Forever Plaid runs through Sunday, April 22, at Jenks Auditorium, 350 Division St., Pawtucket. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at www.thecommunityplayers.net, or reserved by calling 401.726.6860
