Plaid Tidings

My thoughts on Plaid Tidings or…. putting the cool in Yule

The boys are back. You remember the four guys who were in a fatal car accident in February 1964 who came back to harmonize for a day in Forever Plaid? Well, they are here once again and this time they are spreading holiday joy with their cool crooner style in Lyric Stage’s Plaid Tidings.

Scenic and Lighting Designer Scott Guenther’s set that consists of a stylish, wonderfully lighted bandstand surrounded by candle lit tables for two captures that late 50’s early 60’s vibe. It’s like those nightclubs of yesteryear and the intimate, retro feel of it all sets us up to meet our ghostly visitors.

The Plaids are Jinx (Shane Duckett), Sparky (Daniel Hernandez), Smudge (Ben Meaders), and Frankie (Anthony Ortega) and they are heavenly harmonizers extraordinaire. Music Director Hans Grim. who along with bass player Gannon Phillips accompanies the quartet on piano, has this foursome of gifted singers delivering the songs with the pitch perfect, smooth style of the era. Sound Designer Evelyn Dumeer makes sure we never miss a note. The guys are irresistible and look dapper in their matching blazers from Costumer and Props Designer Tricia Guenther.

Mary Gilbreath Grim’s “spirited” direction keeps the lovable lads in almost constant motion and, even though she is dealing with singing ghosts, Grim makes it all feel natural, and the timing is superb. Also superb is the precise choreography of Kelly McCain who keeps the guys in sync while doing all kinds of intricate steps and I loved her brief nod to Jerome Robbins.

Over the course of the evening, we get to know the quartet as individuals, and it is evident they are all fine actors as well as vocalists. Shane Duckett’s Jinx is adorable as he struggles with nosebleeds brought on by anxiety about performing but comes through with a gorgeous tenor. Daniel Hernandez’s Sparky is a delight. The slightly goofy, exuberant Sparky often talks directly to the audience and Hernandez with his expressive eyes and appealing stage presence is a charmer and a bona fide comic. Ben Meaders as the awkward Smudge reminds me of a young Dick Van Dyke and performs a terrific dance solo, but I don’t think that Van Dyke could hit those amazing bass notes that Meaders does. Meader’s Smudge endears himself to the audience relating how he celebrates the holidays with divorced parents. The angelic voiced Anthony Ortega makes Frankie charismatic and brings wonderful warmth to the character. Frankie’s deconstruction and analysis of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” is done so earnestly by Ortega that at first, I was afraid to laugh. Ortega builds the scene expertly.

But where is Christmas here? It’s everywhere and the guys sing all the holiday favorites and do an incredible medley of Christmas carols that will knock the candy canes right out of your stockings. The Plaids decide to present a retro style tv Christmas special a la Perry Como, who actually appears via film and the show is charming. There’s also a three-minute tribute to Ed Sullivan that is wacky, breakneck paced and will bring back a flood of memories for anyone who remembers the show.

I knew coming to see Plaid Tidings that I was going to hear great singing, but I didn’t expect the show to be the laugh filled treat it is. There are some wistful, melancholy moments (After all we are dealing with dead people), but Director Grim kicks off the season with a tuneful, cheerful gem of a show. Plaid Tidings are glad tidings indeed!

**Special shout out to understudy Kenneth Lane who has learned the dialogue, songs, and choreography for all four characters. Amazing!