Theatre North offers Plaid Tidings this month

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Ironwood - If you're in the mood to kick in the holiday season, Theatre North has just the show in mind for you, with multiple performances starting on Nov. 14.

It's "Plaid Tidings," and it's a revisiting - with a twist - of previous theatre performances that occurred in 1996 and 2003.

The earlier shows, as well as the new ones, all are based on the same four characters who compose a musical group called Forever Plaid.

The original performances of "Forever Plaid" were in the form of an off-broadway musical revue written by Stuart Ross. His work debuted in New York in 1989 but spread around the world.

"The show is about a fictional 1950s singing group - four lads crooning close harmony hits, looking to make it big," said Larry Holcombe, who plays one of the characters.

However, as the plot of Ross's play goes, the guys die in a traffic accident, after which the premise of the musical revue is that they've returned to earth from Heaven to perform the show they intended to do before they died.

"There's lots of great songs from Hit Parades gone by, with a dose of fast-paced humor from generally goofy fellas," said Holcombe, who added that about half the show is Christmas music.

In fact, "Plaid Tidings" is billed as a special holiday edition of the original "Forever Plaid."

As Holcombe explained, the guys once again - for the current show - are traveling from Heaven to earth on what they first regard as "a mystery tour" because "it's a mystery to them why they're back."

But they catch on to the notion of a holiday performance and ultimately, in Holcombe's words, result with "a lot of love, humor and energy on stage."

Performing with Holcombe in the show are Ron Niemi, Dan Pavlovich and Kevin Maki. They are all of Ironwood.

Pavlovich is the only new member of the group, as there was a need to replace Terry Strasser, a previous participant whose schedule could not accommodate this month's performances.

"It's been a long time," said Niemi, noting the decades since the previous performances, which were produced at the Ironwood Theater.

Nevertheless, he said that when when Andrea asked if he'd do it, he said, "Absolutely."

"I've known these guys for a long time," said Maki. "We've sung together in various groups."

Maki said he and Niemi have been members of the local Lowell Street Band and now are in XTRA, which is taking a break. In addition, Maki said he and Pavlovich and Holcombe are in the Chamber Singers and that Niemi is a previous member.

As the newest member, Pavlovich said he was provided a videotape of a previous performance of "Forever Plaid."

But he added, "I didn't watch it because I didn't want to be influenced."

Instead, he said he wanted to play his character as he saw fit.

Pavlovich also contributed to the performance on another scale by sewing the plaid jackets that the men wear while they perform.

"I taught myself to sew in college," he said, noting his major in technical theatre with a focus on costuming.

He then worked 32 years at Jacquart Fabric Products in Ironwood, where he sewed as a profession.

Regarding the decision to sew the cast's costumes, he said, "That was something I knew I could do...so I figured why not?"

He doesn't have any dedicated sewing room, so he said he made the best of it by laying out fabric on the living room floor and setting up his sewing machine on his dining table.

"I think it's pretty cool he tackled the project," said Holcombe of the sewing done by Pavlovich. "There were a few fittings and alterations along the way. It's like having our own personal tailor in the cast."

Despite being the newbie, Pavlovich does have plenty of other experience, going back to college and high school. He's also been in a number of local theatre performances.

Still, he said, "The older you get, the harder it is."

He added that it's also difficult to perform when you haven't done it in recent years.

"We were going to do this years ago when Alex Marciniak was still alive," said Kevin Maki of the original show's director. "He wanted us to do this show."

Unfortunately, Marciniak passed away in 2020.

So now, said current director Andrea "Angie" Harrison, "We're doing it in memory of him."

Harrison said she's been wanting to direct the show for a long time, and they had intended to tackle the project in 2020, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

She added that the current production has taken a lot of hard work.

"We started in April once a week, just learning the music," she said, after which the number of rehearsals increased in number and duration.

On Sunday, when she and the cast spoke with The Globe, they were taking a break from rehearsing on stage at the theatre.

"We started at noon today and we'll be here until 5 p.m.," said Harrison.

She encourages the public to attend one of the performances.

"It's a fun show," she said. "It's enjoyable to watch. It's funny. It's great music, and they're extremely excited to be doing it."

Co-director Allyson Conhartoski promises "lots of laughs and fun for all ages."

"Come out and have a good time," said Niemi.

"I hope they have a good time," said Pavlovich of prospective audience members. "If they're having a good time we're having a good time."

"Plaid Tidings" will be shown at Theatre North on Nov. 14, 15, 16 and again on Nov. 21, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. Sunday matinees also will be offered on Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.

See the theatre website at theatrenorth.org for details on tickets, which also are available at Hitt's Fine Furniture in Ironwood and the Leather and Gift Shop in Bessemer.