Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Make it a 'Plaid' evening

‘Forever Plaid’ journeys back to the ’50s

---

By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

From left, Wally Huffman is Frankie, Robert Newman is Smudge, Paul Stoops is Jinx and John Mauldin is Sparky in “Forever Plaid,” performed Sunday evenings through March in Sun Valley’s Boiler Room. Photo by

Variety shows of the 1950s presented a culture oblivious to teenage rebellion and Elvis. Keeping a Sun Valley tradition alive and presenting a well-honed live stage show, "Forever Plaid" revisits a different 1950s where Ed Sullivan reigned supreme, love songs were four-part harmony and slap-stick comedy made all ages laugh. The original "Forever Plaid" was a long-running off-Broadway show by Staurt Ross and celebrated its 20th anniversary in July 2009.

A live, three-piece orchestra of Dorinda Rendahl on piano, Ted Dyer on drums and Brad Hershey on bass accompany the "Plaids," who are Wally Huffman as Frankie, Robert Newman as Smudge, Paul Stoops as Jinx and John Mauldin as Sparky.

The "Plaids" meet in 1956 in high school at audiovisual club and form a quartet performing at family gatherings, fundraisers and proms. The "Forever Plaid" show begins at the end of the foursome's life.

The "Plaids" meet with a fateful accident on their way to picking up their custom-made plaid tuxedos, hit by a busload of Catholic teens on their way to a concert. Caught in an afterlife, the quartet tells its story through well-known songs of the 1950s era such as "Catch a Falling Star," "Chain Gang," "Matilda" and "Sixteen Tons."

"Wally is the glue," said Newman who drives from Rupert, Idaho, to make the Sunday performances. "I think he dreams in plaid."

Mauldin, entertainment director for Sun Valley Co., said he worries about live stage shows disappearing.

"It's an intimate setting so you really get to know us," Mauldin said. "It has improved every year."

The show celebrates its 12th season at the Boiler Room. Tickets are $15 at the door and are $3 off with Idaho identification. For details, call 622-2135.

comprare levitra
acheter levitra
comprar levitra

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com