Studio Arena brightens the season
with "Plaid Tidings"

Shown from left to right, Jeff Church as Smudge, John Scherer as Frankie, Paul Castree as Sparky and Paul Binotto as Jinx in "Plaid Tidings." Written and directed by Stuart Ross, "Plaid Tidings" runs through Dec. 28 at Studio Arena Theatre. For tickets call 856-5650 or 1-800-77STAGE. (photo courtesy of Jim Bush Photography)

by René Nilsson

Studio Arena Theatre brings back the 1950's foursome from "Forever Plaid" in this hilarious holiday musical. "Plaid Tidings" is a feel-good show for the whole family, written and directed by Tony Award-nominated Stuart Ross.

The Plaids - Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie - are a harmony group from the innocent era of Ed Sullivan and Perry Como. In "Forever Plaid," the foursome was killed instantly in a car accident on their way to pick up their plaid tuxedos for their first gig. In the original show, the group finds themselves back on earth with the chance to perform, which they never had in life.

In "Plaid Tidings," they return once again, but at first aren't entirelysure why. Still the show must go on, and the Plaids carry on with classictunes and holiday favorites such as "White Christmas," "Let it Snow," and "Carol of the Bells."

This is far from your average Christmas concert, however. No one but the Plaids would offer a song performed with plumber's helpers in lieu of microphones, or holiday tunes such as the audience sing-along, "Matilda," ("She take me money and go Christmas shopping"). Other highlights of the show include Frankie's emotional rendition of "Rudolph," and the group's recreation of the Ed Sullivan Show -- in three minutes and eleven seconds.

"Plaid Tidings" runs through Dec. 28, with performances Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. (there is no 7 p.m. show on Dec. 28), Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. There are additional performances Dec. 11 at 2 p.m., Dec. 22 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. There are no performances Dec. 24 or 25.

Studio Arena Theater is located at 710 Main St. in Buffalo at the corner of Main and West Tupper Streets. Call 856-5650 or 1-800-77STAGE for more information or visit them on-line at www.studioarena.org.