Story by Karen Parr-Moody

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Like a Parisian macaroon, the musical “Plaid Tidings” is crisp on the outside, sweet on the inside and just a tad rich. The lines are adeptly sung, there is a hint of nostalgia, but it never slips into that maudlin stickiness that can weigh down holiday productions like a fruitcake.

Director Tom Thayer is at the helm of this comical spinoff of the Off-Broadway musical “Forever Plaid” created by Stuart Ross (he also plays piano in the production while John Waddle plays bass guitar). The Plaids are a heavenly (literally) four-man harmony group from the 1960s (they were killed decades ago after colliding with a busload of Beatles fans). They have returned to earth to spread holiday cheer, beckoned by Rosemary Clooney.

The Plaids enter into the first act by singing “Stranger in Paradise,” a melodic number from the 1950s in which actor Michael Spaziani, as Frankie, excels as the operatic second tenor. Like his voice, his carriage is romantic, reminding us of the old-school crooners from mid-century holiday specials.

Rounding out this lovely song are the other three actors: Ryan Bowie, as Jinx, is first tenor, Josh Bernaski, as Sparky, is baritone and RJ Magee, as Smudge, is bass. “Plaid Tidings” continues in its retro vein, interspersing musical standards of the mid-century with comic lines that revolve around The Plaids’ mid-level career while on earth.

The actors work hard to entertain the audience as they move through the self-deprecating lines of this plot. Each one has his particular brand of physical comedy. What’s more fun than watching a character named Smudge get his groove on, as Magee does with Broadway kicks and Gene Kelly heel clicks? And Bowie, as Jinx, shows the physicality of his comedic chops with some hilarious R&B moves for “Twuz the Nite B4.”

Each actor gets to shine vocally on certain songs. Bernaski hits some winning notes in “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” All four men bring harmony to “Cool Yule.” Magee fills “Let it Snow” with youthful melodies. And Bowie’s high notes ring out sweet and clear in the wistful finale.

“Plaid Tidings” writer Stuart Ross has created the story that, while on earth, this quartet was considered a third-rate act, never having achieved stardom. Yet this story doesn’t square with the talent we see onstage. This production is at its best when the quartet ditches the self-deprecating lines and simply harmonizes its heart out.

Because when The Plaids sing, the bells are ringing. And there’s nothing third-rate about that.

“Plaid Tidings” occurs at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 14. There is a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for those 13 and younger. They may be purchased at the Roxy box office at 100 Franklin Street or ordered online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org. For more information call (931) 645-7699.

The Plaids can also be seen during the “Christmas over the Cumberland” holiday dinner, catered by Nashville’s The Bound’ry. The dinner, which is upscale holiday in theme, begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at F&M Bank’s Franklin Room on Public Square, followed by the 7 p.m. performance. Tickets are $50 per person.

Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.