Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesAndrew Poston sings 'Papa Loves Mambo' backed by Steven Bidwell, Imari Thompson, Olin Davidson in the Peach State Summer Theatre production of 'Forever Plaid.'

PLAY REVIEW

VALDOSTA — Peach State Summer Theatre production of “Forever Plaid” is a show that doesn’t really need a rave review.

Word of mouth will fill the seats.

“Forever Plaid” is an intimate show with a big heart.

The framing is a 1950s pop group is killed on the way to the concert meant to be their shot at stardom. Fifty-plus years later, the quartet finds itself free from limbo and inexplicably given the chance to perform the missed show for the audience in Sawyer Theatre.

The show isn’t about tragedy; it’s actually quite funny. Rather, “Forever Plaid” is about redemption, about getting one’s shot. That’s the heart of “Forever Plaid.”

The music is its soul. And what music. The show is filled with great songs from the late 1950s and early 1960s: “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Undecided,” “Gotta Be This or That,” “Moments to Remember,” “Crazy ‘Bout Ya, Baby,” “No, Not Much,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Chain Gang,” “Perfidia,” “Cry,” “Heart and Soul,” “Lady of Spain,” “Scotland the Brave,” “Shangri-La,” “Rags to Riches,” “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing,” etc.

Director H. Duke Guthrie balances the heart, humor and harmony with a light touch but with a master’s stroke. He elicits poignancy but the show never becomes sappy. Guthrie seamlessly keeps the show moving from one song, one scene, to the next. 

Guthrie and the cast deserve an ovation alone just for the montage capturing the essence of the “Ed Sullivan Show” in three minutes; it is uproarious and spot on for anyone familiar with the old television variety series.

Jason Lee Courson’s scenic and projection designs and Genny Wynn-Muncy’s lighting capture the otherworldly sensation of the concert as well as the retro touches of the show. Esther Williams’ costumes set the tone for the Plaids.

The cast is in harmony in song, humor and pathos.

Steven Bidwell, Olin Davidson, Andrew Poston and Imari Thompson play the doomed Plaids given their second chance. They mine the uncertainty and shakiness of not performing for decades in limbo with humor and heart. They quickly have the audience rooting for their success. And they hit all the right notes.

Each character has his quirks and his assets. The four-member cast plays all with gusto.

And their voices are fine tuned, harmonic, even angelic which one might expect from a quartet performing from the great beyond.

They are backed by two live musicians, Music Director David Springfield on piano and Trent Harper on bass. Through smart arrangements and bold talent, the two musicians sound like a full backing band.

“Forever Plaid” will likely fill houses in the coming weeks of PSST! performances. The audience was on its feet immediately with a standing ovation during the opening night curtain call.

But don’t take this review’s word for it. Word of mouth is the second night’s audiences also gave an immediate standing ovation.

PSST!’s “Forever Plaid” next plays 3 p.m. Sunday, June 25, then in rotating repertory with additional PSST! shows “Shrek” and “My Fair Lady” through mid July, Sawyer Theatre, Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. More information: Visit www.valdosta.edu/psst.