Arts & Entertainment
'Forever Plaid' Debuts in Highland Park
Highland Park Players summer production begins Friday.
Outside the rehearsals for the summer production of Forever Plaid, the air is rich with the smooth sounds of a harmonizing quartet.
This year’s show features a medley of whacky characters sure to keep the audience’s feet tapping and their bellies laughing.
Forever Plaid follows the four-part, close-harmony “guy group” from the 1950s--Sparky (Aaron Stash), Smudge (Aaron Rumack), Jinx (Mark Komiskey) and Frankie (Todd D. Bulmash).
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While en route to their first big gig at the Airport Hilton cocktail bar, the members of Forever Plaid are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. But, through the Power of Harmony, they are allowed to come back and perform the show that eluded them in life.
Producer Jamie Davidson said he couldn’t be happier with the show so far and was thrilled to soon be able to share it with the local community.
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“We chose to do Forever Plaid because the show appeals to a wide range of people,” he said.
When asked why it has such mass appeal, Davidson explained it this way: “The appreciation for music and singing has definitely come back…whether you remember the '50s, or like Glee or American Idol, you will be rooting for these guys to sing beautiful harmonies.”
Davidson said the community’s reception of the Highland Park Players’ productions has been “tremendously strong,” especially since last fall’s presentation of Annie (in which Davidson and his daughter, Jolie, performed together).
Forever Plaid, a unique combination of classic tunes and old-fashioned fun, features songs such as “Heart & Soul,” “Rags to Riches” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.”
The show isn’t all about music, though. Davidson noted, “It’s also a blend of sincere acting and entertaining choreography.”
Directed by Catherine Davis with musical direction by Claire Birmingham, Forever Plaid opens for its first show at 8 p.m. July 29 at the Highland Park Community House, 1991 N. Sheridan Rd. Performances run through Aug. 14.
Showtimes and tickets can be found at highlandparkplayers.com or at the West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Rd. in Highland Park.
