‘Forever Plaid’ encore performances Aug. 16-17
MadKap Productions will present three encore performances of the musical “Forever Plaid” at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., in downtown Skokie. The performances will be at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. All seats are $30 and can be purchased online at SkokieTheatre.org or by calling (847) 677-7761.
“Forever Plaid” was written and originally choreographed by Stuart Ross with Musical Continuity Supervision and Arrangements by James Raitt and produced by Gene Wolsk.
A musical comedy tribute to the harmonic boy bands of the early 50s and 60s, “Forever Plaid” is the story of four young guys — Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie — who have been practicing in the basement of Smudge’s family’s plumbing supply company, dreaming about success. On the way to their first big gig at the airport Hilton, they get into an unfortunate accident with a school bus. But they return to Earth to present their final concert and hopefully earn a place in the heavens forever.
Will they overcome asthma, ulcers, nerves and forgotten lyrics? Will they find the perfect chord? With a warmth and cleverness, “Forever Plaid” is a delightful, mischievous, and unashamedly heartwarming homage to the sweet and innocent sounds of the ’50s and ’60s and features popular hits such as “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “16 Tons” and “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.”
“Forever Plaid” is directed by Edward Lindem with musical direction by multi-Jeff Award winner Jeremy Ramey. Lighting design is by Pat Henderson, with costume design by Wendy Kaplan, and sound design by Ethan Patterson. Wendy Kaplan and Wayne Mell produce for MadKap Productions.
“Forever Plaid” features Nick Arceo as Smudge, Sean M.G. Caron as Frankie, Elijah McTiernan as Sparky, and Taelon Stonecipher as Jinx. Hayden M. Cannon is understudying.
MadKap Productions’ 11th season started at Skokie Theatre in July with the musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” by Stephen Sondheim with book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Subscription packages are available that also includes tickets to Steven Schwartz’s “Pippin,” “Deathtrap” by Ira Levin, Sondheim’s “Company” and Tennessee Williams’ classic drama “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
For reservations or additional information, visit SkokieTheatre.org, or call the box office at (847) 677-7761.
MadKap is the recipient of the 2019 Artistic Excellence Award from the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission. Wendy Kaplan and Wayne Mell formed MadKap Productions in 2011 and have premiered groundbreaking new plays like “Clutter: The True Story of the Collier Brothers Who Never Threw Anything Out” and “Mr. Shaw Goes To Hollywood,” and “Side Effects May Include,” the semiautobiographical account of Seinfeld writer Marc Jaffe’s experiences with Parkinson’s disease which toured nationally, raising funds for Shaking With Laughter and The Michael J. Fox Foundation. MadKap Productions was formerly a resident production company at the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago.
The Skokie Theatre was originally built in 1912 and served as the local movie theater. The building fell into disrepair, until 2006 when the Skokie Valley Music Foundation spent over 1.2 million dollars to refurbish it and create a music hall that is unlike any other in the area. Its 140 comfortable seats, perfect acoustics, and elegant art deco architecture makes it a Skokie landmark. MadKap Productions took over management of the building in February 2014 with the goal of establishing a full-time performing arts center. When not presenting plays, audiences can experience cabaret and concerts, dance, and comedy acts.