Plaid Hits the Stage
Lights. Camera. Plaid.
Plaid?
Yes. Plaid. Of the “forever” kind. Plaid has had its ups and downs in the fashion world, but here on campus, it has left an impression on all of those who have partaken in the musical phenomenon in the Wallace Theater. I’m talking about Forever Plaid, the fall musical that CBU’s drama department has masterfully produced this month: a 60s, plaid-clad group of boyband-singer-wannabes-almost-turned-superstars who unfortunately were killed in a van crash in the midst of their big break, and have been given one last chance to woo an earthly audience with their classic barbershop-style harmonies and early rock and roll croons. The four characters are a crack-up, and the dialogue between them was written just perfectly – a perfect blend of sarcasm with honesty, light-heartedness with depth, teasing with encouragement.
I was literally that woman in the theater whose laugh dominated over the entire audience. I think my boyfriend, Chris, was slightly embarrassed to have to sit next to me. Not only was the show just ridiculously hilarious, but also the cast was made of men that I am actually friends with. As I sat watching Jordan Smith, Ryan Yoder, Connor Smith, and Ethan Park act out the larger-than-life personalities on stage, I couldn’t help but think about whom the guys really were. Each having participated in several musicals and shows, their personalities are already developed into actors’ personalities, and each will make you laugh at any given moment just by being who they are. Then to see them fit themselves into the given characters had my sides in stitches and my cheeks sore from laughter.
As a music major, my ears are naturally drawn to music. For those who appreciate music, Forever Plaid will not disappoint. The nature of barber-shop quartet singing is tight harmonies, blended tone, and connection between the singers. With a floor-throbbing bass (Jordan), a stratosphere-singing tenor (Ryan), and two individually song-selling lead voices (Ethan and Connor), the quartet blew my expectations out of the water. I knew they would sound phenomenal, considering I have sung in choir with these four guys for two years, but I watched in awe through each of the songs. The quality of the singing was top-notch, and the overall “feel” of the music time-travelled you back to the era of 60s bee-bop rock and roll.
This production just goes to show what kind of quality teaching we have at CBU. Each of the cast members is a testament of the music and drama teaching of our professors here, doing complete justice to each department.
I want to see the show seven more times. Bummer that there aren’t seven opportunities! Head over to the Wallace Theater to purchase tickets for this weekend’s performances. If you hear some crazy lady laughing in the audience, don’t worry: it’s just me!
0 Comments