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Center for Performing Arts Memorabilia Center for Performing Arts
5-8-2004 Forever Plaid Center for Performing Arts
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Recommended Citation Center for Performing Arts, "Forever Plaid" (2004). Center for Performing Arts Memorabilia. Book 209. http://opus.govst.edu/cpa_memorabilia/209
This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Performing Arts at OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Center for Performing Arts Memorabilia by an authorized administrator of OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. fOR PEftfORMIHO flftTS Governors State University Presents Soap Box Productions' Forever Plaid
May 8 & 9, 2004
2003/2004 Season sponsored in part by a generous grant from: :" When most of us think of the 1950's, we think of rock 'n' roll, greasers, hot rods, Elvis, Annette, Fabian, D.A. haircuts and teen-age rebellion. But there was a flip side to this era - the side of harmony, innocence and the sincerity of dreams. fOR PfftfORMinO flRTS It is the side that's been lost in the shuffle of progress. It was a time when most Governors State University parents and kids listened and danced to the same music; when families partook of the ritual of gathering in front of the TV to watch their favorite variety shows, like in association with Soap Box Productions the Ed Sullivan Show or the Perry Como Show. It was a time when every family worked hard to fulfill the American Dream. It was a period when four-part guy present groups harmonized their way across the airwaves, jukeboxes and hi-fis of the country. Throughout the land they would stand at the quartet of microphones, crooning a multitude of chaperoned prom-goers into dreamy romance. They wore dinner jackets and bow ties (or perhaps cardigans and white bucks). Each move was drilled to precision. Each vocal arrangement soared to stratospheric heights of harmony. This sound crested right before rock 'n' roll stole the heartbeat of music across the globe. During this time, guys across the country banded together to sing in the basement for fun. If things worked out they might be hired to sing at weddings, conventions, proms, and country club socials. Inspired by the success of the recording stars, they made plans to zoom into careers of fame and fortune. But the musical taste of the U.S.A. was changing, and the country would not stop to Written and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Stuart Ross listen to their dreams. Musical Continuity, Supervision and Arrangements by James Raitt This is the story of such a group - Forever Plaid. Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) Originally Produced by Gene Wolsk who loved to sing. They all met in high school, when they joined the audiovisual club (1956). Discovering they shared an affection for music and entertaining, with they got together and dreamed of becoming like their idols - The Four Aces, The Four lads, the Four Freshmen, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. They rehearsed DAVID HUMPHREY* KEVIN MCMAHON* in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company. It was here they became Forever Plaid - a name that connects the continuation of traditional GEORGE MISERLIS* RODNEY PECK* values of family, home and harmony. Although rock 'n' roll was racing down the fast lane like a candy apple "vette", they believed in their music. As their sound Produced by developed, they sang at family gatherings, fundraisers, and eventually graduated Kevin A. Traxler to supermarket openings and proms. They had little time for romance or leisure for they supported their fantasy by holding down day jobs - Frankie was in dental Directed by supplies, Jinx was into auto parts, Smudge was in bathroom fixtures, Sparky was in better dresses. They devoted themselves to their singing at nights and on LARRY RABEN weekends. They finally landed their first big gig at the Airport Hilton cocktail bar - The Fusel Lounge. *Members of Actors Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.. Feb. 9, 1964: En route to pick up their custom-made plaid tuxedos, they were slammed Forever Plaid is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized broadside by a school bus filled with eager Catholic teens. The teens were on performance materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, 421 West their way to witness the Beatles make their U.S. television debut on the Ed Sullivan 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. show and miraculously escaped uninjured. The members of Forever Plaid were killed instantly. It is at that moment, when their careers and lives ended, that the story of Forever Plaid begins. Through the Power of harmony and the Expanding Holes in the Ozone layer, Theatre in Escondido David had the pleasure of playing Frankie in Forever in conjunction with the positions of the planets and all that astro-technical stuff, Plaid, in addition to starring as Billy Bigelow in Carousel. David has also they are allowed to come back to perform the show they never got to do in life. played Smudge in Forever Plaid in Las Vegas. David was delighted to make his And, having completed the Mission of Harmony, our men in plaid must return debut in Vancouver performing as Frankie in Plaid Tidings. Most recently to the cosmos. Although they may be gone, through this production their dreams David appeared as Thomas Jefferson in Performance Riversides production in live on forever. Riverside CA and Lamb's Players production at the Lyceum Theatre in San Diego of 7776. David is currently in rehearsals to play Cable in South Pacific Rodney Peck (Frankie) has appeared in various productions of Forever Plaid in San Diego and is playing the Prince in Snow White an Enchanting New including companies in Florida, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas and is so happy to Musical at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Other regional credits include be back with this cast in particular! Other favorite stage credits include: How Curly in Oklahoma, Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music, Molokov in Chess, the Grinch Stole Christmas (Old Globe Theatre), Angels in America and M. Mordred in Camelot, and Frederick in Noises Off. In addition to his work in Butterfly (Playhouse on the Square), Crazy for You (Flat Rock Playhouse), theatre, David is a singer with the acapella groups Groove 66 and The Dapper Reckless (Circuit Playhouse), the Ovation Award Winning, On the Twentieth Dans for the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim; has performed as lead singer for Century (Colony Theatre - LA), and most recently, Empire (L.A. and Stamford, Holland America Cruises; is the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog for the Sonic CT). He has appeared in numerous commercials, and in small roles on TV and Adventure video games for the Sega Corporation; and has done film and film, including The Rainmaker (dir: Francis Ford Coppola), The Strip (UPN- television work. David would like to thank his wife Monica and his family for TV). Rodney is also a published author and a returned Peace Corps Volunteer; their steadfast support. having served in the Central American country of Belize, who now makes his home in New York City. George Miserlis ( Smudge) had the pleasure of performing opposite the original New York cast members of Forever Plaid at the Canon Theatre in Kevin McMahon (Jinx) has performed this role in the San Diego, National Beverly Hills. In addition, it has afforded him the opportunity to continue Touring, McCoy-Rigby, Starlight, Crystal Cruise Line and Welk Theatre performing Forever Plaid for many years throughout the Los Angeles area! productions of Forever Plaid. In addition to appearingin the Broadway Favorite stage credits include: National Tours of Evita, The Odd Couple (with National tour of City of Angels and the Off-Broadway revival of Little Moon of Sandy Dennis and Kaye Ballard), and regionally, The Lion in Winter (with Alban, Kevin has worked at some of the most respected theatres in the U.S. James Spader). He also performed regularly with The Second City when it was including the Ahmanson, Ford's Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, American in Santa Monica, California. Film Credits include: Sarah Pillsbury's & Midge Conservatory Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, Casa Manana, Charles Sanford's Seeds of Tragedy as Luis, Mario in Desi and Lucy: Before the Playhouse and St, Louis' MUNY. Recent credits include Oscar in Sweet Laughter, and a leading role in Paramount Picture's feature film, The Incredible Charity (Moonlight - Robby Award nomination), Lank in Crazy For You, Genie, a children's fantasy, released on HBO and video. Most recently, George Gerald in Me & My Girl (Musical Theatre West), Adam/Noah in Children of recurs as "Crispin", on the hit NBC comedy series, Scrubs and was on the Eden (Utah Musical Theatre) and Mr. Snow in Carousel (Welk). He is a season finale just this past week! His CD debut Riding The Wave with "The member of Los Angeles' Musical Theatre Guild where he performs often in Blanks" (from Scrubs) can be purchased at www.CDbaby.com. their "Broadway in Concert" series. A Boston Conservatory graduate, his critically acclaimed solo CD, Mirror, featuring "Cry" from Forever Plaid, is John Smith (Bass) is a freelance musician employed primarily in the available at numerous online retailers including Amazon.com and phonograph record and live performance fields. When not touring the world as CDBaby.com. Kevin proudly serves on the National Council of Actors' Equity an accompanist for artists such as Andy Williams, Shirley MacLaine or Johnny Association. Mathis he can be found playing in one of the many pit orchestras in Southern California. John began playing Forever Plaid with the original New York cast David S. Humphrey (Sparky) loves performing with this company of Forever members at the Canon Theater in Beverly Hills. He has since played Plaid as Sparky. David has also played the role of Smudge with this fabulous productions for Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Music Theatre of Southern company. David has frequently appeared as Sparky, including a run with two of California, Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities, Theatre League West, Gold the original Plaids at CLOSBC in Los Angeles, three years at the Theater in Old Coast Plays and most recently at the Old Town Theatre in San Diego. Town in San Diego, Vista's Moonlight at the Avo production, and directed and performed in the first collaborative production between Starlight Musical Larry Raben (Director) has been associated with Forever Plaid since it's Theater and Sycuan Casino in San Diego. Also with Starlight at Sycuan David original New York Off-Broadway production where he assistant directed the performed in / Love You You're Perfect, Now Change. At the Welk Resort author, Stuart Ross, and as an actor helped develop the show in it's workshop MUSICAL NUMBERS production, playing the role of Sparky. He originated that role in the Los (In alphabetical order) Angeles (Ovation, L.A. Drama Critics, and Dramalogue Awards) and London ANNIVERSARY SONG West End productions. Also Off-Broadway in New York, Larry assistant directed Catch Me If I Fall and The Velveteen Rabbit. Elsewhere, Larry co- by Alan Johnson and Saul Chaplin. HEART AND SOUL by Hoagy wrote and directed More Magic in Toronto and Calgary, and Hollywood's ©MCMXLVI Mood Music Co. Inc., Carmichael and Frank Loesser. Heyday in San Diego. He has directed numerous productions of Forever Plaid New York, NY. Copyright renewed. Used by permission of Famous Music Worldwide copyright administrator: Corp. in many cities, and is eternally grateful to Stuart Ross and the creative genius of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Inc. New James Raitt. York, NY. Used by permission. JAMAICA FAREWELL by Irving Kevin Traxler (Producer) Kevin has been producing theatre in Southern Burgie. California for the past 12 years. His production credits include: A Christmas CATCH A FALLING STAR Used by permission of Lord Burgess Carol, Nunsence, Into the Woods, The Murder Room, The Pirates ofPenzance, by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. Music Co., Cherry Lane Music Quilters, Man of La Mancha, Of Mice and Men, Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph Used by permission of Emily Music Publishing Co. Inc. Corp. and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Anything Goes, Peter Pan and The Scarlet KINGSTON MARKET by Irving Pimpernel.. He has been producing this company of Forever Plaid since April CHAIN GANG Burgie. by Sam Cooke. Published by Abkco Used by permission of Lord Burgess of 1999. Music Inc. Used by permission. Music Co./Cherry Lane Music Stuart Ross (Writer) directed the original New York production of Forever Publishing Co. Inc. CRAZY 'BOUT YA BABY Plaid, as well as productions across America and Canada. In addition, he has staged the international companies on London's West End, and in Japan for the by Pat Barrett and Rudi Maugeri. LADY OF SPAIN by Robert Tokyo government. He recently staged the premier of his new play Tea with Used by permission of Wanessa Music Hargreaves, Tolchard Evans, Stanley Bea, based on the life and art of Beatrice Lillie. He also staged the premier of Productions Co. J. Damerell and Henry Tilsley. Used the new musical The Boswell Sisters, which he co-wrote with Mark Hampton at by permission of Sam Fox Publishing the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, National Music Theatre Conference. He CRY Co. Inc. by Churchill Kohlman. staged for the PBS Great Performances, An Evening at the Pops starring Jason Alexander as well as staging three productions for HBO's New Writers Project: ©Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Inc. LOVE IS A MANY Mom Mom Dad Dad by Dan Kagan, My Father's Chinese Wives by Sandra Copyright renewed. Used by SPLENDORED THING by Paul Tsing Loh and Girls in Movies by Seth Greenland. On Broadway, he co- permission. Francis Webster and Sammy Fain. authored the Tony nominated musical Starmites and the acclaimed Radio City Used by permission of EMI Miller Music Hall Easter Show. Off-Broadway he wrote Fun with Dick and Jane: The DAY-O Catalog Inc. by Irving Burgie. Musical (workshop Playwrights Horizon), The Heebie-Jeebies and Not-So- New-Face. As a director, his work includes Michael Crostofer's Breaking Up Used by permission of Lord Burgess MAGIC MOMENTS by Burt (starring Matthew Modine and Allison Janney), Lanic Roberton's Nasty Little Music Co./Cherry Lane Music Bacharach and Hal David. Secrets, Conrack, Creeps, The Lunch Girls and It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Publishing Co. Inc. Used by permission of Famous Music Superman among others. For six seasons Stuart has worked at some of Corp. and Casa David. DREAM ALONG WITH ME America's most prestigious regional theatres. These include The Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, the Old Globe Theatre, The Alliance by Carl Sigman. Used by permission of MATILDA by Harry Thomas. Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House and Houston's Alley Theatre. Stuart created Major Songs Co. Used by permission of MCA and wrote the pilot We'll Take Manhattan for CBS. He is currently developing Publishing, a division of MCA Inc. GOTTA BE THIS OR THAT Slap, a new sketch comedy with Mo Gaffney, and two sit-coms: Mom Mom Dad Dad and Chicklet. He was the recipient of the State Department Grant for by Sonny Skylar. MOMENTS TO REMEMBER by Cultural Exchange, the NBC New Voices in the Theatre Grant and Chicago's Used by permission of Music Sales Al Stillman and Robert Allen. Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director of a Musical. Corp. (ASCAP), copyright owner Used by permission of Larry Spier Inc. NO, NOT MUCH SING TO ME MR. C by Al Stillman and Robert Allen. by Ray Charles. Used by permission of Larry Spier Inc. Used by permission of Roncom Music
PAPA LOVES MAMBO SIXTEEN TONS by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning by Merle Travis. and Bix Reichner. Used by permission of Unichappell ©MCMLIV Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Music Inc. Inc. Used by permission. TEMPTATION PERFIDIA by Arthur Freed by Milton Leeds and Nacio Herb Brown. and Alberto Dominquez. Used by permission of EMI Robbins Used by permission of Peer Catalog Inc. International Corp. THEME FROM THE GOOD, THE RAGS TO RICHES BAD, AND THE UGLY by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. by Ennio Morricone. Used by permission of Major Songs Used by permission of EMI Music Co. Publishing Inc.
SHANGRI-LA THREE COINS IN THE by Carl Sigman, Matt Malneck FOUNTAIN and Robert Maxwell. by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. Used by permission of EMI Robbins Used by permission of WB Music Catalog Inc. Corp. and Chappell & Co.
SHE LOVES YOU UNDECIDED by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. by Sid Robin and Charles Shavers. Used by permission of EMI Robbins Used by permission of MCA Music Catalog Inc. Publishing.