PLAID TIDINGS Comes To Skylight Opera Theatre 11/27-1/3/2010

Plaid Tidings will open at the Skylight Opera Theatre November 27 and run through January 3, 2010. A holiday treat for the entire family, it offers the best of Forever Plaid and more, tied up in a nifty package with a big plaid bow on top. Plaid Tidings is The Plaids' heaven-sent holiday special. The four checkered guys harmonize hits from the 1950s and 1960s as well as scads of holiday standards that have been "plaid-erized." At the beckoning of the dearly departed Rosemary Clooney, The Plaids have returned from their untimely death to bring a little harmony to a discordant world.

Artistic Director: Bill Theisen
Bill Theisen made his professional theatre debut at the Skylight Opera Theatre in 1981 and began his tenure as Artistic Director in 2004. He has directed over 100 productions for theatre and opera companies from coast to coast. Recent directing credits include The Pirates of Penzance for Santa Fe Opera as well as the Skylight and Virginia Opera, Showboat for Gateway Playhouse, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris for the University of Iowa, The Fourth Wall for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Sweeney Todd with Cleveland Opera, A Little Night Music at Carnegie Mellon University, The Gondoliers with Seaside Music Theatre, Seussical at First Stage Children's Theater, The Magic Flute for Virginia Opera and The Mikado for Opera Carolina. Skylight directing credits include The Barber of Seville, La Boheme, Souvenir, Patience, South Pacific, The Tragedy Of Carmen, Animal Crackers, The Mikado, The Spitfire Grill, H.M.S.Pinafore and the world premiere production of Over The Moon With Gilbert and Sullivan.

Mr. Theisen works frequently on the university level as a Guest Director and Lecturer. He served as the Director of Opera at the University of Iowa and has continued that relationship for the past 12 years. Other university credits include Carnegie Mellon University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Florida State University, Portland State University, Manhattan School of Music, Utah State University, Northwestern University, NYU and St. Ambrose University, where is he also serves on the advisory committee to the theatre department.

Bill was the Artistic Director of the Capitol Center for the Performing Arts in upstate New York and is an adjudicator for arts programming on PBS.

Characters
Frankie: The leader and caretaker of the group, Frankie has the most confidence. He takes care of his fellow Plaids and makes sure everyone knows where they're supposed to be and what is supposed to happen next. He is also the connection between the guys and the audience. He has asthma, which acts up whenever numbers are too fast or the choreography gets too energetic. He has a great deal of compassion for the music and the group.
Sparky: The "cut-up" of the group, Sparky is always looking for ways to crack jokes. He is very sharp and loves singing his tailor-made solos. He sings with a joyous bravura and loves to perform. He loves to tell stories and relishes every word. He is the comic engine of the show.
Jinx: The shy one, Jinx is usually terrified. He doesn't always remember what songs come next or what the next move is. He is Sparky's stepbrother and there is a little sibling rivalry going on between them. He occasionally gets a nosebleed when he sings above an A. He lives his life terrified. He was abused and beaten. He is only in the group because he sings the high notes beautifully. The others are very protective of him.
Smudge: The worrier, Smudge worries about the props and the running order and always assumes that the audience won't like him. He has a chronic nervous stomach and is very reluctant to perform. He is also very clumsy. Smudge never enjoys or appreciates what he has. He always worries about what is coming up and regrets what is past.

Cast/Crew
Francis...................Marty McNamee
Jinx.........................Paul Helm
Smudge..................Matthew Belopavlovich
Sparky...................Joe Fransee
Costume Design.....Barry Link
Lighting Design.......Jason Fassl
Music Director.......James Valcq
Set Design.............Brandon Ribordy
Sound Design........Gary Ellis
Stage Director.......William Theisen

From Paul Helm (Jinx)
The holidays are a time to reminisce, cherishing those endearing moments from holidays past and treasuring the new ones we create. That's what Plaid Tidings is all about -- recollecting and reliving the holiday memories that brought us so much joy and happiness. The show will be a trip down memory lane for many, boasting a fantastic collection of songs and arrangements that really capture the nostalgia of the 1950's. Plaid Tidings is guaranteed to make you laugh, smile, and pull on your heartstrings, and it certainly has a lot of that -- heart. Plus, Perry Como's coming back to sing with us! How can you miss that?? If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate the holiday season, it is imperative that you make Plaid Tidings a part of it.

Musical Numbers
ACT 1
Opening Fanfare
"On February 9th"
Deus Ex Plaid
"What Happens
Strangers In Paradise
Amor/Hallelujah
"Moments" Underscore
Holiday For Plaids
After "Holiday" Underscore
Sh-Boom
A Psycho Christmas
The Most Wonderful Time/Merry Christmas
Bésame Mucho/Kiss of Fire
Mambo Italiano
Hey There
Fever
The Christmas Song
Mistletoe Music
Holiday Catering Drill
Christmas Calypso
Calypso Tag

ACT 2
Entr'act
Holiday Talk
Cool Yule
"Twuz The Nite B4
Let It Snow
Carol Of The Bells
Joy To The World
Mr. Santa
Newspaper Underscore
The Christmas Cardigan
Mambo In A Winter Wonderland
Swell Backups
Como Underscore/We Wish You A Merry Christmas
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Ed Sullivan (I'll Be Home For Christmas)
Finale - Part I (Merry Christmas/The Wassail Song)
Finale - Part II (Home For The Holidays)
Finale - Part III (Jingle Bells)
Closing Underscore
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Curtain Call Music

Schedule and Prices
Plaid Tidings opens on November 27 and runs through January 3, 2010. Reviewer passes are available for November 25. Evening performances are on select Wednesdays through Sundays. Matinees are on select Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The free Johnson Bank Cabaret Series will be held in the Skylight Bar & Bistro every Friday and Saturday evening after the show. Skylight Insights, an engaging opportunity to learn more about the production, are held in the Salon before all Wednesday and Sunday performances. Ticket prices range from $62 to $20. Group, senior and student discounts are available.

Special Events
The Skylight will be accepting food donations for the Salvation Army throughout the run. Donations can be deposited at shows or anytime during regular box office hours. The Plaid Tidings performers will be setting up special performances prior to and during the run. The first scheduled event is December 5 at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Plaid Tidings show photos will be available Wednesday, November 25. Contact Laura Russart, Marketing Project Manager at laurar@skylightopera.com.

Plaid Tidings is sponsored by Midwest Airlines and the Briggs & Stratton Corporation Foundation.