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And The Band 'Plaid' On, Endearingly

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By KATHY L. GREENBERG

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 18, 2008

TAMPA - Plaidheads, those diehard fans of the musical "Forever Plaid," will be in heaven watching Rick Criswell's production at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Great old tunes and excellent singing may earn a few more aficionados as well.

The show about four dead band mates who return to Earth for one last performance is at once corny-sweet, entertaining and endearing.

The story goes like this: Frankie (Dean Maroulakos), Jinx (David Purdy), Sparky (Michael Indeglio) and Smudge (Fred Ross) are a "semi-professional harmony group" driving to their first big gig in 1964. A bus full of "parochial virgins" heading to see the Beatles slams into the Plaids' car, killing all four boys. The band members drift in after-death limbo until an astrophysical miracle sends them home. They must perform the gig that never was - "the biggest comeback since Lazarus" - to achieve eternal peace.

And, boy, did these guys deserve a rest.

Accompanied by pianist Michael Ursua (for Wednesday matinees only), the Plaids at first crooned and moved with some trepidation, if not stiffness, as is only natural for the walking dead. By "Perfidia," however, they had shaken off the rigor mortis and flashed a versatility that surely would have sent them to "The Ed Sullivan Show." They beautifully harmonized a bevy of classic tunes such as "Chain Gang," "Day-O," "Magic Moments" and "Love is a Many Splendored Thing." One song after another revealed fine vocal skills, as well as a knack for prop improvisation.

The foursome bantered engagingly between numbers, sharing stories of how they fell in love with music. They encouraged audience participation and even dragged one woman onstage for an impromptu piano recital of "Heart and Soul." The dialogue was sweet and innocent - a shock to the brain after enduring reality show drivel - as was the overall story of reaching for a dream. These qualities enhanced the tragedy of the boys' situation.

Debra Stein's synched costumes navigate that 1960s look and feel, a time when perfect symmetry was applauded. Who knew that matching plaid cummerbunds and blue suspenders could be so attractive?

The real star of the show, though, was and always will be the music. Whether you grew up listening to these oldies or learned them by a chance spin of the radio dial, they're faithful goodies for any generation. It looks like the Plaidheads have a good reason to stick around.

IF YOU GO

WHEN: Through Aug. 17; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Jaeb Theater, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, (813) 229-7827; www.tbpac.org

HOW MUCH: $31.50

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