“Forever Plaid” reviewed by Julia W. Rath

Five Stars *****  “Forever Plaid” is as uplifting and outstanding a show as you will ever see! Drury Lane Theater’s invigorating revival of this 1989 musical review by Stuart Ross, James Raitt, and Gene Wolsk is cheery and vibrant, an antidote to the dearth of live theatre over the last eighteen months. The current version is impeccable, thanks in large part to director and choreographer Paul Stancato and musical director Valerie Maze. The story is based on a rather simple premise: In the space between this world and the next, there is the afterlife. It’s the place where a musical group of four men called The Plaid now reside and get one more chance to get things right with their music. In so doing, they demonstrate to the audience just how well they have finally found their calling by performing their popular music of the 1950s.

The quartet is perfection itself. Comprised of “barbershop” vocalists A.D. Weaver (Smudge – bass/baritone); Michael Ferraro (Frank – baritone/tenor; Yando Lopez (Jinx – countertenor/accordion), and Bryan Eng (Sparky – baritone, piano and other instruments), their voices work extremely well separately and as a blend, a credit to their attendance at the “Osterizer School of Harmonic Theory.” Pianist, conductor, and music director, Maze holds the whole performance together. She is the only woman on stage and “came with the room.” Other musicians include Chuck Webb on bass and Jim Widlowski on drums/percussion. Lopez also stands out as dance captain.

The review doubles as an entertaining comedy, since The Plaid (who were accidentally killed in 1964) have somehow rematerialized in the year 2021; thus several skits make a nod to COVID—and the use of hand sanitizer. But most of the references take place with respect to a bygone era. Some memorable moments include the imitation of famous people like Perry Como and the presentation of variety acts once featured on the Ed Sullivan Show. There are twenty musical numbers in all, and the performances of songs such as “Love is a Many Splendored Thing”, “Three Coins in the Fountain”, and “Perfidia” are nothing short of flawless!

The set design is superior; the creativity demonstrated by scenic designer Kristen Martino and lighting designer Lee Fiskness cannot be described in words! We see a set that consists of some combination of a vortex, the stars, the rings of Saturn, and a location where the astral plane meets the earthly plane. This feeds into the resplendent lighting design, which is an integral part of the set itself, with its cosmic theme, colors, and timing; the lights flash cleanly and crisply from scene to scene, complementing the action and song lyrics. The plaid within the circular ring on the set changes color depending on the song, but it always remains forever. The use of theatrical fog nicely captures the imagination. Sound design by Ray Nardelli is could not be any better! Costumes by Rachel Boylan are incredible, from the coordinated sweaters, to the coordinated suspenders, to the plaid jackets. Props by properties master Cassy Schillo add a depth of reality—and unreality—to the presentation.

The vivaciousness is infectious! What talent! What timing! I could just sit back in my seat and watch the show for another 90 minutes; the time went by that quickly. We learn that it is only after death that The Plaid achieve immortality, and their legacies live on. Yet their future within eternity is still quite uncertain. That, of course, begs the existential question: Who knows what might lie in store for each one of us? Who knows whether an afterlife really exists? What exactly does “forever” mean? What we do know is that “Forever Plaid” is a fabulous start to the Drury Lane Theater’s amazing 2021-22 lineup, and you shouldn’t miss this production!

“Forever Plaid” is playing at the Drury Lane Theater, in Oakbrook Terrace, through November 7, 2021.

Single Tickets:

Wednesday and Thursday matinees: $57
Thursday and Sunday evenings: $67
Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees: $72

Senior Citizens start at $55 for matinees

Student group tickets are available
Dining and show packages are available

Performance Schedule:

Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 530-0111, or visit https://drurylanetheatre.com/.

Consider purchasing a season’s subscription to all five shows and save up to 50% off single ticket prices. Go to: https://drurylanetheatre.com/subscribe/ to find out more!

Drury Lane complies with any and all existing state mandates regarding COVID-19, which at this time requires masks indoors for all.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Forever Plaid”.