'Forever Plaid' opens June 18 at Totem Pole
FAYETTEVILLE – Totem Pole Playhouse, Pennsylvania’s premiere summer theater in Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, brings back one of the most successful musicals in the playhouse’s 66-year history, "Forever Plaid," from June 17 through July 3, with an official opening at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 18, and preview performances at 8 p.m. Friday, June 17 and 2 p.m. Saturday.
This all-new production is directed and choreographed by Christine O’Grady, who choreographed Totem Pole’s critically-acclaimed production, "Shenandoah," last season, and audience favorite, "Godspell," the previous summer.
"Forever Plaid" tells the fictional tale of four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered they shared a love for music, and get together to become the Four Plaids, a four-part close harmony singing group in the tradition of the Four Freshman, the Four Lads, the Four Aces, and the Hi-Lo’s. On the way to their first big singing engagement, their career quickly ends when the car they are riding in is broadsided, killing them instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end, that the story of "Forever Plaid" begins. The Plaids return from above, singing in close harmony and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with over-zealous precision. "Forever Plaid" has been a success since its first premiere Off-Broadway in 1989, offering 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 1950s.
O’Grady has cast four current students from the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music - Louis Griffin, Derek Kastner, Stavros Koumbaros and Gabe Wrobel - as the Four Plaids. The show features more than 20 hit songs from the 1950s, including such classics as “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Heart and Soul,” “Moments to Remember,” “Perfidia,” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing."
The show is produced by Theatre A Go-Go, Inc. and sponsored by Edward Jones and Richards Orthopaedic Center. Franklin County Visitors Bureau serves as the sponsor for the 2016 season.
Part of the University of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music is the oldest musical theater training program in the country and was the first of its kind. It is widely recognized for its "triple-threat" approach to training, and many of its graduates are following successful careers as performers and creative artists in every facet of the entertainment industry.
“This past year a survey was done counting the number of alumni from various colleges and universities with musical theater training programs across the country and CCM had the most graduates working in Broadway shows than any other.” said Totem Pole’s Producing Artistic Director Rowan Joseph, in a press release announcing the show. “We are very pleased to have four current students from CCM starring in our all-new production of 'Forever Plaid.'”
When you go:
"Forever Plaid" opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 18, with an audience invited reception with the cast afterwards.
The show will run through July 3.
Totem Pole Playhouse is in Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg.
Tickets $30 to $50
Matinee performances 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
Evening performances 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Totem Pole offers $20 preview performances at 8 p.m. Friday, June 17, and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, with all seats general admission.
Tickets at www.TotemPolePlayhouse.org or by calling the Totem Pole Playhouse box office, 888-805-7056.