Before there were hair salons and Gillette Sensor Razors, there were barber shops. They had striped poles, a soda fountain next door and maybe a Woolworth's across the street.
And while the men sat around reading the morning paper and posing for Norman Rockwell paintings, they listened to the doo-wop sounds of Barbershop Quartets. These magical foursomes harmonized much like the University's a cappella groups do now, only these guys wore bow ties and suit jackets rather than ... well, maybe not too much has changed. Quartets like the Four Acres, the Four Lads, the Four Freshmen and the Crew Cuts, however, were lost somewhere when Elvis, rock and roll and jukeboxes stampeded the malt shops and high school proms.
Playing tomorrow night at the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center, "Forever Plaid" is the story of such a quartet. Four quirky boys (all with Nickelodeon-worthy names - Smudge, Sparky, Jinx and Frankie) start up their own group in the basement of a plumbing supply company. Finally, after hard work and long hours, they land a gig at a nightclub.
But their dreams of making it big are cut short when the four are killed in an accident on the way to their first performance. The boys are hit by a bus full of screaming girls on their way to "The Ed Sullivan Show" to see the Beatles. However, this untimely end is merely the beginning. Because of cosmic and natural phenomena (related to holes in the ozone layer and the alignment of the planets), the boys are suddenly transported 26 years forward to 1990, and they gain a second chance to fulfill their dreams. This is where the musical begins.
"Forever Plaid" started out on Broadway nine years ago and has been a major hit because of its snap-happy tunes and poppy harmony. Written and directed by Stuart Ross with vocal arrangements and musical direction by James Raitt, the musical has received raves from critics nationwide.
"It's a good-hearted show that offers a good break from studying," said Mary Morrison, second-year College student and University Union Performing Arts chairwoman.
"Forever Plaid" will play tomorrow night only. Considering two presidents and a prime minister have frequented this production, it seems a shame to miss.
"This is a professional, national tour," Morrison said. "Students should take advantage of the low prices."
Tickets are available at the Newcomb Hall Box Office, Greenberry's Barracks Road or by calling 924-7314. The tickets are $6 and Union will provide transportation from the Chapel to the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center on the quarter hour starting at 6:45 p.m. Put on your saddle shoes and get ready to whistle.
(Cavalier Daily Associate Editor Doug Strassler contributed to this article.)
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