Theatre review by Mark Andrew Lawrence, frontrowcenter@rogers.com

A new production of FOREVER PLAID opened at Stage West Dinner Theatre last week, and sadly, it is a complete dud.

The show ostensibly pays homage to the close-harmony boy bands of the 1950s by creating a fictitious group "The Plaids" who were killed before their careers ever got out of bowling alleys and airport lounges. Now they are given one night to come back and give the show they never gave.

Originally produced at a small off-Broadway theatre in 1990, FOREVER PLAID found large and appreciative audiences all across North America. Older people appreciated the nostalgia of hearing the almost forgotten standards from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Younger people responded to the satire of the musical styles and the cheerful way the faux group subverts everything it sings. (When they perform The Beatles "She Loves You" they change "Yeah, yeah, yeah" to "yessiree!")

Much of the humour in the show arises from the group's total unawareness of how much popular culture has changed in the past forty years. At least, that is where the humour should arise but as directed and choreographed by Tim French, there is precious little humour in this production. Even a three-minute parody of The Ed Sullivan show, which is normally a comic highlight of the show, falls flat.

The singing performances do not fall flat. In fact, they capture the proper musical style of the period. Mark Allen in particular does a fine impersonation of Johnny Ray's over-emotive style and Stage West regulars Brett McCaig and Jon-Alex MacFarlane are both given plenty of chances to show off their vocal ability. Steven Gallagher, who plays Frankie the nominal leader of the group, has previously appeared in a national tour of this show, and exudes confidence even when the jokes fail to generate a small chuckle.

Unfortunately, the performers are not given a chance to properly lampoon the material. So, all we are left with is a parade of pop standards and the period covered by this show is not a rich one. A little of the Four Lads/Lettermen style of crooning goes a long way.

The same can be said of this edition of FOREVER PLAID.

FOREVER PLAID plays at Stage West Dinner theatre until April 30^th. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Wednesday and Sunday. To reserve tickets for the dinner/show package visit www.stagewest.com or contact the Stage West Box Office at (905) 238-0042.