Forever Plaid at Act II Playhouse

Though the show, “Forever Plaid” was created 35 years ago and has been performed around the world, it is a musical that I’d never seen. I only knew it was something about the “boy bands” of the 1950’s and a kind of musical review. It is so much more than that as presented at Act II Playhouse. I will go so far as to say I wouldn’t have gone to see the show had I not been reviewing it. It would have been a great loss for me.

            On February 9, 1964, a 1959 Mercury convertible was carrying four young men to a major gig to perform their songs. This all-boy band was hit by a school bus carrying Catholic school girls to the Ed Sullivan show to see another boy band- The Beatles. The four, who were hit by the bus, performed under the name, The Plaids. They were all killed. We don’t see the accident.  It is told to us by the four who have returned to this day to give us the concert they never had a chance to perform. And they do perform!!!

They recreate the classic songs of the 1950’s and early 60’s with such expertise, you would think that they were the original artists. “Three Coins in a Fountain, Moments to Remember, Heart and Soul, Catch a Falling Star, Lady of Spain. They sing the songs of their heroes, The Four Freshmen, The Hi-Los, and The Crew Cuts among others. They sing a Beatles song, there is a tribute to Perry Como, and there is a hilarious 3-minute tribute to The Ed Sullivan Show. I could go on and on. I was surprised that I remembered the lyrics of so many of the songs and was singing with them… in my head. But they are more than just any barbershop quartet.

Liam Snead, Thomas Smith, Matthew Wright-Conti and Michael Indeglio (who also directed this 90-minute masterpiece) are real people with beautiful voices. In Act II’s intimate space, we can see the joy on their faces as well as the confusion when they take a wrong step or move to the wrong spot on the stage. Stephen Casey’s choreography is both simple and beautiful. And the on-stage accompaniment by pianist Dan Matarazzo and bassist Hans Hibbard is soft and strong. We never miss a word of the songs from overly loud music.

I don’t know how Michael Indeglio managed to direct this piece and star in it. I could never act in a play that I was directing. You must have eyes in the back of your head to be performing and still watch the others on stage with you. Such a talent!

I can see why Stuart Ross’s play continues to draw large audiences. It is a timeless story of dreams that were unfulfilled in life but have a chance to happen forever. And it is done with so much joy and so many comedic touches. I am so glad to have seen it.

“Forever Plaid” by Stuart Ross at Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Avenue., Ambler, PA 19002, 215-654-0200,   act2.org    Extended thru June 23, 2024