Adolpho Blaire, Mark Chandler & More to Lead TheatreZone's FOREVER PLAID, 5/1-11

Don't let your theatre season end in Southwest Florida without seeing "America's Favorite Original Boy Band" as TheatreZone, Naples' Equity professional theatre, presents a limited engagement of Forever Plaid May 1 through May 11 on the G&L Theatre's stage.

TheatreZone founder Mark Danni promises you'll be dancing in the aisles at Forever Plaid. Today, he revealed the cast of four young male singers destined for greatness: the smooth Sparky will be played by New York actor Adolpho Blaire; Mark Chandler, a high tenor with quick vibrato, has been cast in the role of Jinx; Smudge, the baritone of the group, will be sung by Joseph Strickland and the earnest and charismatic Frankie with be played by Alex Jorth, a melodious tenor with an expressive face.

Forever Plaid is an affectionate trip through an era of bobby socks, Brylcreem, and American Bandstand, complete with polished and memorable choreography complementing the doo-wop numbers. Told mainly through song, Forever Plaid features the well-scrubbed boys in tuxedo pants, white dinner jackets and bow ties, later revealing plaid cummerbunds and pocket squares for a nice touch of tartan. References to plaid are a running gag through the show without ever being overdone.

"These boys are adorably nervous and slightly dorky in the geek-chic way of the stars of The Big Bang Theory," Danni explains. These are not Elvis Presley wannabes, but eager-to-please regular guys with big dreams and an ever-present air of innocence.

At the helm of this production is director Mark Danni, choreographer Karen Molnar and music director Charles Fornara. The show features a live three piece band with Fornara conducting and playing piano accompanied by Todd Betz on drums and Joe Choomack on bass. Additional TheatreZone staff includes stage manager Danielle Ranno, lighting designer Anne Carncross, set design by Tim Bennet, Sound by Tim Frank, and costumes by Kathleen Kolcaz.