Posted: 07/05/2009

Forever Plaid 20th Anniversary Special in theaters one day only July 9

by Elaine Hegwood Bowen

The smooth song stylings of the quartet behind Forever Plaid come to the stage one night only in simulcast theater screenings across the United States on Thursday, July 9—all part of a 20th Anniversary Special.
Twenty years ago, Forever Plaid premiered, and this grand celebration will be shown in 500 theaters so that audience members who haven’t had the opportunity to see the act can enjoy it, and those who have can relive the phenomenon that has been sweeping the country.

The guys, Jinx, Sparky, Frankie and Smudge, make up the four members of a fictional 1950’s group that is killed on a bus trip on its way to picking up tuxedos, in route to the quartet’s big break. But they don’t let the fact that they have been derailed to heaven stand in their way—well not much! They go on with a show that is chock full of “swinging standards” and contemporary songs, mixed in with a few original medleys of old and new music. In between the singing, the group enjoy off-cuff banter and mingling with audience members—all of which help to move the concert right along.

Forever Plaid has been an Off-Broadway successful musical for 20 years, and it will now be screened in the close comfort of movie theaters. The national premiere is a collaboration of Forever Plaid Productions and NCM Fathom, along with a live red-carpet performance from the Nokia Club in Los Angeles. “NCM Fathom continues to transform theaters into a new type of community entertainment center through our media network,” said Dan Diamond, Vice President of Fathom. “Fathom is committed to offering unique in-theater programming that appeals to a wide variety of audiences, and the Forever Plaid 20th Anniversary Special is exactly that. This timeless, family-friendly musical will engage and entertain young and old audiences alike, creating an unforgettable experience for all.”

Original “Forever Plaid” cast members (Stan Chandler, David Engel, Larry Raben, joined by new cast member Daniel Reichard with David Hyde-Pierce as the narrator), will spearhead a first-ever, live, interactive sing-a-long. Audience members who just love Forever Plaid will be able to show their musical talents, while sharing the passion for Plaid—both the musical and the fabric pattern. Songs performed by Forever Plaid include “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Moments to Remember,” “Chain Gang,” “Heart and Soul” and “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.”

Millions of loyal followers around the world have enlarged the Plaid fan base to include the “Frequent Plaid” program, and ‘Plaid Heads’ (a term coined by Jay Leno) have seen the show upwards of 700 times! ‘Plaid Head’ celebrities include Joanne Woodward, Goldie Hawn, Liza Minnelli, Garry Marshall, Jason Alexander, Elaine Stritch, Rosie O’Donnell, Tommy Hilfiger, Bette Midler, Joan Baez & Robert Reich. The film features cameos by Loni Anderson, Rose Marie, Kate Linder, Melissa Manchester, and a very special appearance by JoAnne Worley.
And this show is not just for the grownups—“Forever Plaid” has struck a harmonic chord with audiences of all ages.

To be a part of this one-in-a-lifetime event, visit www.foreverplaid.com to learn what theaters near you are screening this 20th Anniversary Special. Some of the selected theaters include: AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark USA Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Goodrich Quality Theaters, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as El Raton Theatre (Raton, NM), Hollywood 14 (Asheville, NC), Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT) and Penn Cinema (Lititz, PA), through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.

Elaine Hegwood Bowen is an editor, writer and film critic in Chicago.

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