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A Review of Baytown Little Theater’s Forever Plaid Forever Plaid, Directed by Gordon Gallatin Musical Opening night – April 20, 2018 April 20th, 2018, it was opening night. The summer was a summer of musicals and Forever Plaid was the third show to run. It began with an introduction from the Director, Gordon Gallatin. Mr. Gallatin is a graduate of University of Houston. He briefly explained that Forever Plaid was a Broadway musical in the 90s. The musical is not about rock and roll or any other genre typically associated with that era, but that of the du-op and harmonizing music groups. Baytown Little Theater put their personal design on the musical as well as adapting it to take place in 2018. The musical stayed true to its 1950s spirit while also adding a comedic touch. Forever Plaid is about a quartet of high school friends coming back from the dead to fulfill their dream of performing one last show in order to enter heaven. In the 1950s, Sparky, Jinx, Smudge, and Frankie were on their way to pick up their new plaid suits when they were suddenly killed in a collision involving a bus of Catholic school girls headed on their way to see The Beatles at The Ed Sullivan Show. The four of them finally arrive back on earth (stage) to perform one last time. The atmosphere itself was very inviting. Baytown Little Theater is a community theater that was established in 1961 with every worker being completely voluntary. The theater is sponsored by various companies as well as faithful members of the community. The theater provided flyers and pamphlets of information allowing others to become involved. Upon arrival, I was greeted kindly, and offered refreshments and snacks. The theater really is little. The stage is quaint with a viewing area allowing possibly 100 people at a time. I sat on the second row while the director of the play sat in the front row within arms-reach. The cast and crew consisted of four actors, three members of the band, and a few stage managers along with its director and prop manager. The musical consisted primarily of renditions of known songs such as the Banana Boat Song, I Owe My Soul to the Company Store, and Catch a Falling Star. The songs chosen were mainly love songs, but all had a 1950s du-op flare to them. At one point the cast sang Matilda and became interactive with its audience where two of the cast members stood within the aisles as they all sang and danced. There were monologues and some story development in between songs, but it was mostly comedic routines for the audience’s pleasure. In the beginning one singer had stage fright, another got a nose bleed, and so on. Songs were used symbolically as well as a way to unveil the plot, but the performances given by these actors were the heart of the show. I particularly loved I Owe My Soul to the Company Store because the lyrics, although dated, are still relevant: “Some people say a man is made outta mud A poor man’s made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones A mind that’s a weak and a back that’s strong” Although all four of the members are listed as male characters, there were two women actors. However, throughout the play the characters were referred to as “she” and wore women’s clothing. The group fulfilled their purpose and sang their hearts out. I cheered when the grouped donned their new plaid suits and were finally able to enter heaven. By the end of the musical I laughed, tapped my toes, and admired every person standing on that stage After the actors took their bow, the audience began to gather their belongings and leave. The audience itself as well as some of the cast members, were mainly of an older generation(s), but there were younger theater lovers present both within the audience and the cast and crew as well. As said previously, the decade in which the main characters died was the 1950s. As I exited the theater I overhead a woman say to her friend, “That brought back so many good memories,” and I thought that was just the sweetest thing. |
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Amanda Keill is a loving mother, full-time student, and full-time employee. Upon returning to school the Fall of 2017 after a bit of a hiatus she has high hopes of branching off into the literary world, showing her love for writing as well as her creative capabilities. When asked what is your goal in life she responds, “To be happy and to be a blessing to others.” |
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