A remarkably simple, but obviously very successful, entertainment concept-four men standing on a stage and singing songs from a nostalgia-blessed era-has hit Chicago, as “Forever Plaid” opened Tuesday at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre (1641 N. Halsted St.) for an open-ended run.
Selling out wherever it has played, the revue is a tribute to the “guys groups” that harmonized so closely in the ’50s and ’60s. It first opened in the spring of 1990 off-Broadway (where it recently completed a four-year run).
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The story line, such as it is, follows the journey of a “semi-professional” group that had its fame cut short by an unfortunate accident on the night of its first engagement in 1964. These “teen angels” are allowed one night to do the show they never got to do in life.
Starring in the Chicago cast as the Plaids are Scot Fedderly as Jinx, Fred Goudy as Smudge, Sean Krill as Sparky and Greg Walter as Frankie. The numbers they render include such golden oldies as “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” “Chain Gang” and “Heart and Soul.”
“Forever Plaid” has been written, directed and choreographed by one man, Stuart Ross, who is directing this particular production. The associate director is La Grange native Drew Geraci, and the musical director is Kevin Cole.
Ross co-authored the Tony-nominated Broadway musical “Starmites” and the Easter Show for Radio City Music Hall. Off-Broadway, he wrote “The Heebie Jeebies,” “Not-So-New Faces,” “Tea with Bea” and “Fun With Dick and Jane: The Musical.”
“Forever Plaid” tickets are $24.50 and $29.50, and are available at the Royal George box office, by phone (312-988-9000) and through TicketMaster.