Theatre-by-the-Sea to debut season with play to remember ‘forever’

May 31, 2012

Forever Plaid director Scott Guthrie.

MATUNUCK - Theatre by the Sea is set to begin its 2012 season next week, and to kick off the summer will be a production that will take audiences back in time and give them a group of characters they can really root for. The first show of the season, Forever Plaid, will run from June 1 to 17.

Directed by Scott Guthrie, Forever Plaid is the story of four guys in the 1950s who share a mutual love of music and singing. On the way to their first big gig, they are killed in a car crash, having been struck by a school bus full of Catholic school kids on their way to see The Beatles American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Somehow, some way, the band, known as The Plaids, is given a second chance at the opportunity that was taken away from them, and the play follows them along that journey.

“The time that the audience gets to spend with them is the first and last time they get to perform that one big show, the show that they never got to do,” said Guthrie during a phone interview this week.

Guthrie said that while the 1950s are synonymous with rock and roll, and the stereotype of the bad-boy, rock and rolling “greaser,” the four guys in The Plaids are not that. They are “lovable losers,” he said.

“They are not ‘The Thunderbirds’ from Grease,” Guthrie said, “they are more likely to be in the audio visual club.”

Guthrie said that there are two main aspects to Forever Plaid that he loves, and he feels will attract audiences as well. Those two aspects are the music and the good-natured vibe of the production.

“I really love the honesty of the piece, it is a heartfelt, charming, sweet piece of theatre,” he said. “And of course, I love the music.”

He said that the music featured in the play includes a lot of great old tunes that will resonate with the baby boomer generation. He also said that there are a lot of really tight, four-part harmonies.

Whether it is their harmonic singing, their tragic story, or just their personalities, Guthrie said that the audience will find themselves pulling for The Plaids by the end of the night. Their story is touching, and their dedication to their music and hard work is admirable. He also said that part of the reason they are so likable is because they are such gentlemen.

“The play takes you back to a time when guys would carry an extra handkerchief around in case a woman needed one,” he said.

Even though the story begins on a somber note, Guthrie said that an audience can expect a lot of “toe tapping and humming along,” and also a lot of fun. However, as far as expectations go, once the play is set in motion, the audience will not know what to expect at any given twist or turn, Guthrie said.

The director did not stop his kind words for the play itself, but also had much praise to give to the venue and staff.

“Theatre by the Sea is a great space, especially this time of year, when it’s not too hot or cool and there is an ocean breeze,” he said. “Also, it’s not a huge house, so it lends itself to Forever Plaid very well. After all, it is just four guys on stage singing, not a huge chorus.”

He also said that all those who have worked on the play have been welcoming and helpful as well, including the costume designer and music director.

Guthrie has worked on this play before, but never as the director. He has worked on production of Forever Plaid as the associate director and in other capacities about eight times in the last 12 years, he said.

Guthrie was born in Tulsa, Okla., and got a relatively late start in theatre. He played multiple sports in high school, and one day made the decision to skip an important tennis qualifying match for an audition for The Crucible. He got the part and his interest in theatre grew and grew.

After getting two degrees in music from Oklahoma City University, he has spent time acting, teaching, directing and choreographing since.

If you go

Forever Plaid will be on stage at Theatre-by-the-Sea, located at 364 Cards Pond Road in Matunuck, from June 1 to 17. For tickets and information visit www.theatrebythesea.com