MADISON - - Once upon a time, four incredibly wholesome young men (it's the 1950s, of course) formed a singing ensemble, the Plaids.
Smudge, Sparky, Frankie and Jinx met at their high school audiovisual club in 1956. Discovering they shared an affection for music and entertaining, they begin to dazzle audiences with their close harmony at such exciting venues as local bowling alleys and wedding receptions.
After years of small engagements, the long-hoped-for big break finally comes. However, on the way to their first really big gig, the Plaids fate takes a funny twist.
Forever Plaid, a 1950s musical review, is the opening production for the 2007 summer season at Rabbit Run Theater in Madison. Connor O'Brien is directing.
A resident of Ashtabula County, O'Brien studied opera at the Eastman School of Music and has since toured the country as a professional vocalist. An actor as well as a singer, O'Brien has had leading roles in "Damn Yankees," "Guys and Dolls," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Forever Plaid" and "Miss Saigon." O'Brien has been a featured soloist with both the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra, served as executive music supervisor to the Discovery Channel and is on tour to support his third full-length album, "Prizefighter." Along with his band, Connor has performed with several national tours, including Ashlee Simpson, Huey Lewis and The News, Edwin McCain, Kevin Bacon and Mariah Carey.
"Forever Plaid" is one of the best shows I have ever had the pleasure of being associated with," said O'Brien. "The cast is small, so a director can choose the best of the best for the cast, and there are no weak links in this production. This show has a universal appeal to both baby boomers, who grew up with this music, and Generation Y people, who have discovered the charm and excitement of the 1950s music."
"Forever Plaid" features Brian Altman (Smudge), Nick Molero (Jinx), Connor O'Brien (Sparky) and Drew Rothman (Franky). The show opens today and runs through June 16.
Rabbit Run Theater is one of the few barn theaters remaining in Ohio and produces four major productions each summer from the beginning of June through the end of August.
Tickets may be purchased at the box office by calling 440-428-7092, between 3 and 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 Chapel Rd., Madison, and operates under the auspices of Rabbit Run Community Arts Association.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 6/1/2007
