A HILARIOUS DRIVE DOWN MEMORY LANE
Of course I love a big musical with choruses singing and dancing, but on reflection, several of my favorite shows have intimate casts such as Nunsense, The Fantasticks and the original You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Firmly holding a place on that list is the four-hander Forever Plaid, so I was glad that Palm Canyon Theatre booked it as the penultimate show of their 28th season. This cheery 1989 revue was crafted by Stuart Ross, James Raitt, and Gene Wolski, and is repeatedly produced around the world.
The backstory is told at the top of the show via a narrated animation. A four-man harmony group from the late 50s is driving to their first big concert when their 1954 cherry red convertible is T-boned by a school bus, killing all four singers. Then we hear something like a Gregorian chant as four men carrying candles walk down one aisle of the auditorium. When they get to the stage they explain that due to some time-warp continuum they have been brought back for an opportunity to perform their first big concert which they were previously denied by being dead. Okay, it’s not science fiction, just a quick plot element to give a reason for a 50s group to be performing in 1989, or in this case 2025. Thus begins a roller coaster of ear candy, peppered with upbeat comedy, and mixed with thwarted teenage dreams.
The Plaids proceed to entertain us with 20 songs from that era, bringing loads of nostalgia to audience members of a certain age (which makes up most Palm Springs audiences). Like the Four Aces, The Four Freshmen and The Four Lads, they deliver their songs with corny group movements which are funny mainly because the guys believe them. My practical side kept marveling that these four men had learned so many songs with complex harmonies and group choreography as well. There must not have been one minute of slacking off during rehearsals.
Much of the enjoyment of the show comes from the dialogue between the men and sometimes breaking the fourth wall to explain why they chose particular songs, wondering if they will remember them and where various props and costume accessories are stored.
The members of the group have distinct personalities. Sparky (Raul Valenzuela) runs around the stage as he gathers and moves prop pieces, mic stands, and stools. Valenzuela is a master of physical comedy and he delivers it by the truckload. Frankie (Steve Giboney) does much of the explaining, and his 100-watt smile makes him truly endearing. Jinx (Nathan Wilson) is shy and doesn’t want to do the concert. I saw this actor play the lead in How to Succeed last March and I was thinking, “He has to play this character so softly that we don’t get anywhere near his glory.” Then around the fifth song, he starts in his mousey, barely audible voice, but as he delivers the song, he gains courage, volume and style. In fact, Wilson has the best voice in the quartet and as he finished the song, the roofbeams of the theatre were rattling. Rounding out the group is Smudge (Jimmy Ashmore), the anally retentive one who is uptight to the point of relying on Rolaids and Milk of Magnesia.
The band consists of Musical Director Chuck Peery at the piano, PCT’s resident bass player Larry Holloway, and Jim Watson on drums. The Plaids chat with them from time to time and at one point they bring an audience member up to the piano to play the lead line of “Heart and Soul” – a piece that every teenager could play at one point in time.
Eric Stein-Steel did double duty as director and choreographer. With this show, you can’t really say where one task ends and the next begins, so it’s easier with one person with two hats. First and foremost he has instilled a sense of unflagging energy in the guys, and none of them rest for 90 intermissionless minutes.
Joyanne Tracy’s setting is minimal but perfect. Upstage are dark blue curtains and a star shooting a beam down to the stage. As always, Nick Edwards’ projections are amazing. The blue curtains are projections and though the beam of light is a cut-out that is actually there, his projections are carefully trimmed just to light the beam, allowing it to sparkle and throb during some songs. A long, beautiful stairway runs from offstage left and works its way to center stage. The director only used it a couple of times, including the ending when the group returns to the afterlife. I wish the boys had made their first entrance on those stairs, establishing that the afterlife is at the top of the stairs. Palm Canyon loves to stage action in the aisles but much of the audience has to turn around in their chairs, a difficult chore indeed.
Forever Plaid has some great music and plenty of laughs – a perfect way to spend 90 minutes in Palm Springs.
Palm Canyon Theatre finishes their 28th season in July with Falsettos. They have also announced their 29th season and season tickets are currently available.
photos by Maile Klein Photography
Forever Plaid
Palm Canyon Theater, 538 North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs
Thurs at 7; Fri and Sat at 8; Sun at 2
ends on May 18, 2025
for tickets ($17-$38), call 760.323.5123 or visit PCT
