Four men, clad in plaid, ignite the stage with holiday spirit in Stuart Ross' "Plaid Tidings," a musical play currently onstage at downtown's Studio Arena Theater and across North America.
Four highly confused young men - Jinx (Paul Binotto), Sparky (Paul Castree), Smudge (Jeff Church), and Frankie (John Scherer) - appear onstage and realize they're in front of an audience.
They also realize that they've come back from the dead.
As teens in the 1960s, the all-male singing group known as "The Plaids" (who are featured in director/composer Ross' previous stage hit "Forever Plaid") was en route to a performance when their car was broad-sided by a bus of schoolgirls. All of the Plaids died in the accident, but were brought back from heaven to perform a Christmas concert.
"I use a post-mortem moisturizer," said Sparky, which he credits for his youthful visage.
Nervous and unsure, the group performs the songs they have practiced, at the same time getting used to their reconstituted earthly bodies. Throughout the first act, the Plaids brainstorm reasons as to why they were sent back.
"We were sent back to do something we've never done before" said one Plaid, to which Sparky replies, "Sing on key?"
Each performer is full of charisma and talent, creating a barbershop quartet sound. The group performs songs such as "Besame Mucho," "Sh-Boom" and "Stranger in Paradise."
Using props such as plungers, sunglasses and bells, characters in the musical create a performance that never drags.
"We need a yuletide exorcist," said one Plaid. Feeling the holiday spirit themselves, the group fights off their urge to perform Christmas songs and the feeling of being "comfortable, wet and runny inside."
At times, the Plaids leave one Plaid to sing a solo. Here the audience learns of the Plaids' "??ber-dream" of having their own Christmas album and, more specifically, their own Christmas television special.
With a little help from a songstress in heaven, the group learns that they were sent to fill the needs of the holiday-hungry audience. Feeling it necessary to recognize the audience's background, the Plaids perform a Christmas medley, including Polish, Italian, Spanish, Hawaiian and even some Jewish-themed songs.
"Calypso Christmas" is the most outrageous, however, as each Plaid dons a straw hat, shakes maracas and bangs on bongo drums. The audience roars with laughter, anxiously awaiting the promised Christmas show in store for them. Returning to the stage in red sweaters and plaid pants, the Plaids become comfortable onstage and finally shed their teen-like awkwardness.
Each choreographed dance step or silly move is impressive. The eagerness, enthusiasm and corny lines Sparky spouts are delightful.
In the group's impression of an episode of the Ed Sullivan show, during which they sing the tale of "The Christmas Cardigan," the plaids sing many songs - including "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - in a short amount of time.
As the show winds down, the Plaids receive a gift from heaven, their hearts' desire. Realizing their purpose, the Plaids share a warm thought on the holiday season.
"We all have the ability to create a little harmony."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
