Synopsis

One of the most popular and successful musicals in recent memory, this deliciously goofy revue centers on four young, eager male singers killed in a car crash in the 1950s on the way to their first big concert, and now miraculously revived for the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was.

Singing in the closest of harmony, squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations, and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with over-zealous precision, the "Plaids" are a guaranteed smash, with a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that keeps audiences rolling in the aisles when they're not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the '50s including "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," "Three Coins in a Fountain" and "Chain Gang."

Running time for this production is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Performances

This project is supported by the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission with additional funds from the Overture Foundation and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation.

Friday, October 9 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 pm

Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 17 at 3:00 pm

Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 pm

Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 pm

Friday, October 23 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 pm

Reviews

The admirably energetic cast...cajoles and charms the audience with their bravura tight-harmony singing and their quirky characters. Backed by the superb musicianship of David Sytkowski (piano and musical director) and Ben Willis (string bass) the foursome swoon and croon through a smorgasbord of Fifties classics, interspersing the songs with comical glimpses of their personal peculiarities...Go and see them, and you'll come away feeling plaid all over.

- Bruce G. Bradley, The Isthmus: Madison Theatre Guild's Forever Plaid is a musical delight

Bust out the jazz hands: the Plaids are back.

- Lindsay Christians, 77 Square: MTG presents a 'Plaid' pastiche

Cast

Clockwise: Dustin Keyes as Smudge, Jeremy Sonkin as Frankie, Drew Wolff as Jinx, and David Neuser as Sparky. Photo Credit: Marie Schulte

Dustin Keyes (Smudge) graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. He is pleased and excited to be a part of Madison's performing arts community. Local credits include this summer's production of The Yeomen of the Guard with the Madison Savoyards, as well as company member of Kanopy Dance.

David Neuser (Sparky) has performed with Madison Rep., Strollers, Madison Family Theatre, MadCAP and Sun Prairie Civic Theatre. Recently, he was part of Wisconsin Wrights New Play Project and Madison Young Playwrights Festival. David has a B.A. in Theatre from University of Wisconsin Green Bay and an MFA in Performance from Western Illinois University.

Drew Wolff (Jinx) has worked with many area theatre companies. Recent credits include The Producers (Kevin,Ens) with Middleton Players Theatre, All Shook Up (Dennis) with Sun Prairie Civic Theatre, The Sound of Music (Rolf) with the St. Bernard Players, and Footloose (Willard) and Once on This Island (Agwe) with Four Seasons Theatre.

Jeremy Sonkin (Francis) was most recently featured in the cast of Once Upon a Mattress with Oregon Straw Hat Players. Other performance credits include Love is in the Air with Strollers Theatre, The Full Monty with Mercury Players Theatre, and West Side Story with Four Seasons Theatre.

Songs

Three Coins In The Fountain
Gotta' Be This Or That
Undecided
Moments To Remember
Crazy 'Bout Ya' Baby
No Not Much
Perfidia
Cry
Sixteen Tons
Chain Gang
Sing To Me Mr. C.
Dream Along With Me
Catch A Falling Star
Kingston Market
Jamaica Farewell
Matilda, Matilda
Heart And Soul
Lady Of Spain
Scotland The Brave
Shangri-La
Rags To Riches
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

Resources

In July 2009 Forever Plaid: The Movie was released in honor of the 20th anniversary of the show. Watch trailers for the production and learn about the history of the show at the official movie website.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Farley's House of Pianos, Nedebro's Formalwear, Greater Madison Orthodontics, Madison Opera, Distillery, and the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission for their support of this production.