PLAID TIDINGS Plays American Heartland Theatre 11/5-12/26

The holidays are a little brighter this season as the spotlight returns to The Plaids. The hilarious quartet, The Plaids, leaps onto the AHT stage with their heavenly harmonies in this holiday version of Forever Plaid. Silenced by a freak car accident, the angelic foursome is summoned back to Earth by none other than Rosemary Clooney! It's the holidays and the world needs them! Plaid Tidings is a wonderfully touching, nostalgic show, mixing holiday favorites like Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, with popular tunes from the 1950s. Plaid Tidings is a great holiday treat the whole family will enjoy!

American Heartland Theatre brings this fun-filled holiday treat to life with an amazingly talented cast. Grant Golson (Smudge) is making his AHT debut. Originally from Prairie Village, he now resides in New York City. Grant originated the role of Man #2 in the national tour of Are We There Yet?, and recently performed benefit concerts in New York City and for the Surflight Theatre in Long Beach Island, NH with Broadway and TV stars Richard Kind and Liz Larson. Ian Jordan Subsara (Jinx) is also making his AHT debut. Ian was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. A few credits include: Forever Plaid (Heritage Theatre Festival, VA) and Jesus Christ Superstar (The Palace Theatre, NY). In January, Ian will start rehearsals for the exciting project of performing as Peter Pan in Disney Dreams aboard the Disney Magic Cruise Line. Adam Branson (Frankie) returns to American Heartland Theatre for his third production. He was last seen in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee playing the hilarious Leaf Coneybear. Seth Golay (Sparky) also returns to AHT for Plaid Tidings. AHT audiences may remember Seth from A Dog's Life, Forever Plaid, The Rainmaker, Smokey Joe's Café, Dames at Sea and The 1940's Radio Hour.

The holiday tunes in Plaid Tidings are provided by Anthony T. Edwards (Music Director, Conductor/Pianist), has been privileged to be the Musical Director for theatres across the country, but loves calling AHT "home". Anthony is adjunct faculty in the Theatre Dept. at UMKC, and is the resident musical director for AHT, Unicorn Theatre, Epic Entertainment, Starlight and All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. BrIan Wilson (Bass) is making his AHT debut. Brian has been a part of jazz and classical ensembles as well as opera orchestras in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.

Jerry Jay Cranford is making his AHT directorial debut with this production of Plaid Tidings. Previously at AHT he has choreographed I Love You Because and Are We There Yet?. As an actor, Jerry Jay performed on Broadway and in the national tour of Les Miserables as Enjolros and Prouvaire. He also toured as Don in Singing in the Rain, Billy in Anything Goes and was a featured dancer with the European company of Evita. Set design for Plaid Tidings is by Alex Perry, lighting design is by Shane Rowse, costume design is by Paul Hough, sound design id by Donna Miller and props design is by William J. Christie.

Handicapped entry and seating, as well as assistive listening devices, are available at all performances. An ASL-interpreted performance is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 7:30pm.
Next at American Heartland Theatre
Maybe Baby, It's You
January 7, 2011 - February 20, 2011 Rated PG

American Heartland Theatre is one of the city's leading live theatre establishments and was rated #21 in the top area attractions by the Kansas City Business Journal. The theatre serves over 180,000 theatre-goers every year from Kansas City and five surrounding states. Each season, the theatre presents six productions, including comedies, musicals, dramas and mysteries featuring local, regional and national performers. AHT operates under agreements with Actors' Equity Association in its 440+ seat intimate theatre. American Heartland Theatre is located downtown in Crown Center and is a proud member of www.kclivearts.org.