The quartet from the popular musical “Forever Plaid” returns to spread holiday cheer when Steel Beam Theatre presents “Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings” Nov. 20-Dec. 27 at its theater in St. Charles.
Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s bringing the doo-wop sounds of the Plaids.
The quartet from the popular musical “Forever Plaid” returns to spread holiday cheer when Steel Beam Theatre presents “Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings” from Friday–Dec. 27 at its theater in St. Charles.
“It’s definitely a family show. It’s got hits from the 1950s and ’60s, and it also has the holiday favorites that people know and love,” said Kevin Wiczer, director and choreographer. “All ages of people are going to recognize songs from the actual show.”
Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. In addition, there are special performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, and a 3 p.m. show Dec. 19 in addition to the evening performance. There are no performances Dec. 25.
“There’s just something special about a holiday show. People having a certain feeling about the holidays, and it’s always, hopefully, a good feeling,” Wiczer said. “Hopefully we’ll be able entertain people and make people remember that.”
The Christmas-themed “Plaid Tidings” is a sequel to “Forever Plaid,” which tells the story of a ’50s male vocal group, The Plaids, that die in a bus accident.
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“In ‘Forever Plaid,’ they’re allowed one night to come back and perform a show that they didn’t get to do when they were alive,” Wiczer said. “This one, the sequel, is basically they’re allowed to come back again, so it’s like the return of the return of “Forever Plaid,” and they’re allowed back for a reason that’s unknown to them.”
During “Plaid Tidings,” the group tries to figure out the purpose for their return. Those who haven’t seen “Forever Plaid” needn’t worry though, as the boys will catch the audience up on their story with a song.
“If you missed the first one, it’s not a big deal because they do a whole recap song where they explain what they did in the first one and what exactly happened in the first one,” Wiczer said. “They basically go from the beginning to the end in one song explaining what happened in ‘Forever Plaid.'”
The cast of four performs 30 songs throughout the musical, which is about an hour and 45 minutes including intermission.
“They all have really, really tight harmonies the entire show. So it’s been an intense process because we’ve only had three weeks of rehearsal,” Wiczer said.
The cast learned the music in four days, and the blocking in three.
“It was a very fast process. But the guys are very, very, very talented, and I feel very fortunate to work with them,” he said. “It’s been a real pleasure. The guys have been on top of it, and we’re up for the challenge. They’ve really done a great job, so I’m really excited.”
Among the songs audience members might recognize are “Strangers in Paradise” and “Sh-Boom.”
“And of course there’s all the holiday favorites that people love,” Wiczer said. “They’re different spins on them. They’re definitely Christmas songs that you would recognize, but just with their very, very tight harmonies.”
The musical, he said is “a very ensemble show.” With four guys doing everything, including music, choreography and blocking, everyone has to work together, he said.
“And I think this group has really stuck together and have helped each other out.”
The cast will perform the entire show without microphones, he said.
“For this, with a piano and a bass, and then four guys singing together, I just didn’t feel that it was necessary,” Wiczer said. “There are microphones that are used in the show, but they just don’t work. They’re basically used as a prop.”
Wiczer, who has directed several holiday shows at Steel Beam over the last few years, including productions of “Scrooge: The Musical” and “Nuncrackers,” said he never uses microphones at Steel Beam, which has about 90 seats.
“Each show that I’ve done, I’ve never had mics. It’s just too small of a space that it’s really unnecessary,” he said. “Plus, the space is so intimate, there’s really not a bad spot in the house for sound. You can hear everything.”
By not using microphones, there is nothing to interfere with the performances.
“I love the idea of having the pure sound, without any help,” Wiczer said. “It just exciting to hear it so raw. You’re hearing it right then and there.”
Kathy Cichon is a freelance writer.
‘Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings’
When: Friday-Dec. 27
Where: Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles
Tickets: $28 adults; $25 seniors 62+ and $23 students
Information: 630-587-8521
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