Original FOREVER PLAID vocal and musical arrangements by James Raitt
Vocal and Musical Arrangements by James Raitt, Brad Ellis, Raymond Berg, David Snyder
Musical Continuity and Supervision by David Snyder
Original Direction and Musical Staging by Stuart Ross
Directed & Choreographed by Tim French
Music Director Jim Hodgkinson
Set Designer
Beckie Morris
Costume Designer
Jessica Pembleton
Stage Manager
Charles Russell
Lighting Designer
Kevin Fraser
Assistant Stage Manager
Nadene Riehl
The
Company (in alphabetical order)
Mark Allan
Tyler Check
Connor Meek
Alex Panneton
Sound Designer
Allan McMillan
PLAID TIDINGS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
The video and audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited.
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The songs
Amor
Music & Lyrics by Gabriel Galindo Ruiz and Sunny Skylar
Published by Peermusic International
Arranged by James Raitt
Bésame Mucho
Music & Lyrics by Consuelo Velázquez
English Lyrics by Sunny Skylar.
Published by Peermusic International
Arranged by Brad Ellis.
Carol of the Bells
Music & Lyrics by Mykela Leontovich and Peter J. WIlhousky
Published by Carl Fischer Music
Arranged by David Snyder & Raymond Berg
The Christmas Song
Music and Lyrics by Melvin H. Torme and Robert Wells
Published by SONY/ATV Tunes and MPL Communications
Arranged by David Snyder
Cool Yule
Music & Lyrics by Steve Allen
Published by Meadowlane Music
Arranged by Brad Ellis.
Day-O
Music & Lyrics by William Attaway and Irving Burgie
Published by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc.
Arranged by James Raitt
Deus Ex Plaid
Traditional Gregorian Chant
Arranged by James Raitt
The Dreidel Song
Traditional.
Arranged by David Snyder
Fever
By Eddie Cooley and John Davenport
Published by Fort Knox Music and Trio Music Company, Inc.
Music & Lyrics by George Forrest and Robert Craig Wright
Published by Scheffel Music Corp.
Arranged by James Raitt
‘TWUZ THA NITE B4 XMAS
Based on the poem TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement Wood
Music by Brad Ellis
DEDICATION
Forever Plaid is dedicated to the “good guys”, to the guys who wheeled the projector carts for the AV club; to the guys who saved their allowance to give their parents a special night out on the town for their anniversary; to the guys who carried an extra handkerchief; to the guys who never went beyond first base, and if they did, they didn’t tell anyone. We Salute You!
FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT…
For those of you who have seen PLAID, I sincerely want to take this opportunity to say, “Thank you for coming back and sharing your very precious time with us.”
For over a decade, I resisted creating a holiday sequel based on Forever Plaid. I was stubborn about it. Sequels are for movies like — Rambo, Lord of the Rings, Home Alone, Legally Blonde, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter etc. I tried to explain this when I was approached to create a ‘follow up’ to FP. (Can you imagine — Plaid Alone Two, Legally Plaid, Sparky Potter And The Cummerbund of Fire, The Lord of the Plaids, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Plaid?).
However, right after 9/11, I was approached by the Pasedina Playhouse to create a Holiday edition of Plaid. It was at a time when we all needed a little joy and a little cozy Holiday fun to lift spirits. Forever Plaid has been embraced by many wonderful communities, so I attempted to create a little Holiday Party of Plaid for the Playhouse. After the first year of the show, various other theatres asked if they could do a Plaid Tidings. Over the past few years the show has evolved to what you are going to experience tonight (or this Afternoon).
Each year brings its share of joys and tribulations for the world, our country and our loved ones. Here’s hoping a little toasty, cozy, musical, holiday cheer will put you in the mood to appreciate all the good stuff that is always around us.
the cast (in
alphabetical order)
Mark Allan (Jinx)
Drayton Entertainment: Forever Plaid, Fiddler on the Roof, Jersey Boys Other theatre: 9 to 5, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, Spamalot, The Producers (S.W. Calgary); I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (KooGle); Forever Plaid (multiple theatres); Bingo Ladies (Port Stanley); A Christmas Carol (Theatre Aquarius); Sweeney Todd (Neptune); [title of show] (Angelwalk); Songs for a New World (Stephenville); Come Fly With Me (Lunchbox); A Year with Frog and Toad (Sudbury); Fiddler on the Roof (MTC); The Full Monty (Stage West); Natl. tour: Aladdin (R. Petty). Love to TH, his sister, and friends!
Tyler Check (Smudge)
Drayton Entertainment: Million Dollar Quartet, The Buddy Holly Story, You’ll Get Used To It, Kings & Queens of Country, Million Dollar Quartet, Marathon of Hope. Other theatre: Million Dollar Quartet (Mayfield/Stage West/Grand/Mirvish); Once (TIP); Forever Plaid (Starvox); Jersey Boys (TIP/Charlottetown). Tyler is a performer, producer, writer, podcaster and audio engineer originally from Kingston. Tyler is currently producing several projects for local Toronto artists as well as producing his own music. If he’s not doing one of those things, you will find him either playing or thinking about playing Dungeons & Dragons. Talk to him about D&D…I dare you… @tylerbcheck
Connor Meek (Sparky)
Drayton Entertainment: Eugene Johnson in Sh-Boom: Life Could Be a Dream. Other theatre (selected): Sparky/Jinx/Francis Alternate in Forever Plaid (Starvox); Joe Pesci Alternate/ us Bob Gaudio, Gyp DeCarlo, Barry Belson, Norm Waxman in Jersey Boys (Mayfield); Dwayne Rhodes/ Bob in 9 to 5 (Stage West/Stephenville); Featured Soloist in One Hit Wonders (Stage West); Man in Chair in Drowsy Chaperone (Randolph). Film/TV (selected): Fredrick Banting in 100 Days To Victory, Harvey Firestone in Built America (History Channel). Connor (He/Him) was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and graduated from the Randolph College for the Performing Arts’ Triple Threat Program in Toronto. He is thrilled to return to Drayton Entertainment and the “Plaidiverse”! Connor has had the privilege to perform around the world with Regent Cruises and has worked in film and television, but telling stories through music has always and will always be his first love.
Alex Panneton (Frankie)
Drayton Entertainment: Merry & Bright, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Sorry I’m Canadian 2. Other theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar, Once (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Grove Theatre, Mayfield, The Globe); Into the Woods (Grove Theatre); Million Dollar Quartet (The Grand); Rockin the ‘50s (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); Jack: A Beanstalk Panto (Capitol Port Hope); Forever Plaid (Starvox); James and the Giant Peach, Merrily We Roll Along, Violet, Beauty and the Beast (YES Theatre). Alex is an actor/musician based out of Toronto. He sends his love to his partner, his family, and his cat. Instagram: @alexpanneton.
the creative team
Tim French (Director & Choreographer)
Drayton Entertainment: The Sound of Music, Camelot, Footloose, Me & My Girl, Carousel, The Boyfriend. Other theatre: Caroline, or Change, Falsettos (Musical Stage Co.); Cabaret, Dreamgirls, A Little Night Music, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, I Love You You’re Perfect, Now Change, Hair (The Grand Theatre); Evita, Guys & Dolls, Camelot (RMTC, Theatre Calgary, Citadel); The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Shaw Festival); A Chorus Line, The Wedding Singer, The World Goes Round, co-created multiple Rock & Roll Revues (Stage West). Resident Director for The Producers, Dirty Dancing, Dear Evan Hansen (Mirvish Productions). Film/TV: Choreographer for Murdoch Mysteries 2024 Musical Episode, Why Is Everybody Singing?. It’s always a pleasure to be working with everyone at Drayton Entertainment. Thanks to Bruce & Rachael and everyone at Talent House for 30 years of support.
Jim Hodgkinson (Music Director/Piano)*
Drayton Entertainment: Yesterday Once More, Merry & Bright, The Marvelous Wonderettes, We’ll Meet Again, The Crooner, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Kings and Queens of Country, You’ll Get Used To It! … The War Show. Other theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar (Stratford Festival); Saturday Night Fever (Troika, US Tour); Miss Saigon, Suds, Dames At Sea (Arts Club). Film/TV: Super Dave’s All Stars. Highlights: soloist at Canada’s Embassy to the United States, Carnegie Recital Hall, New York (with vibraphonist Ted Piltzecker). Composer/Lyricist: Little Women (Chemainus Theatre). Pianist/ Conductor: Vera Lynn, Variety Club Telethon. Occasionally, Jim anchors a tip jar on cruise ships and performs a comedy show with the brilliant Seana-Lee Wood.
*The Musicians and Music Director engaged for this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, and are performing in the jurisdiction of the Central Ontario Association, Local 226.
Beckie Morris (Set Designer)
Drayton Entertainment: Flight Risk, Million Dollar Quartet, Naked Radio, Doris and Ivy in the Home, The New Canadian Curling Club, Jonas & Barry in the Home. Other theatre: Appropriate (co-design The Coal Mine), Sweet Delilah Swim Club, Halfway There, Where You Are, On the Air, Prairie Nurse, I’ll be Back Before Midnight (Lighthouse Festival); Cinderella…if the Shoe Fits, Beneath Springhill, Lunenburg, The Gentleman Clothier, Little Women, They’re Found in Trees, Sugar Road, Miracle on 34th St, Stag & Doe, Queen Milli of Galt (Theatre Orangeville). Thank you as always to my beautiful and always supportive family! www.beckiemorrisdesigns.ca
Jessica Pembleton (Costume Designer)
Drayton Entertainment: Misery, Mean Girls: High School Version, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Footloose, Bittergirl The Musical, Legally Blonde: The Musical, We’ll Meet Again, It Runs in the Family, ‘ART’, Man of La Mancha, Canada 151: Better Late than Sorry, Kings & Queens of Country, Footloose, Canadian Legends, The Odd Couple, The Crazy Time, The Last Resort, Boeing Boeing, Twist and Shout: The British Invasion, Lend Me A Tenor, Legends of Harmony, The Love List, Oliver!, Harvey, Murder at the Best Western, The Melville Boys, Separate Beds, The Odd Couple, On Golden Pond. Other theatre: All Shook Up (Head of Wardrobe, Stage West Mississauga). Jessica would like to thank her amazing family and husband for all of their unconditional love and support.
Kevin Fraser (Lighting Designer)*
Drayton Entertainment: Misery, Shrek the Musical, Evita, The Full Monty, Jersey Boys, Fiddler on the Roof, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, An Inspector Calls, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Few Good Men, ELF: The Musical, The Miracle Worker, Man of La Mancha, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Death of a Salesman, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors, Les Misérables, and many more. Other theatre: Gypsy (Shaw Festival); Cirque Ambiente (Canada’s Wonderland); Beautiful Scars (Theatre Aquarius); Shakespeare In Love, Carousel (Stratford Festival). Kevin is a member of Associated Designers of Canada, and a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School. Web: kevinfraserlighting.com
Allan McMillan (Sound Designer)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Sound of Soul, The Crooner, Evita, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cinderella: The Panto, The Full Monty, Crazy For You, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, Man of La Mancha, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Rock of Ages. Allan is a graduate of the Technical Production Program at Sheridan College, and over his 35+ years of experience, has held many positions in production, from Technical Direction, Lighting Design, Carpentry and Production Management.
Charles Russell (Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: Misery, Million Dollar Quartet, Over the River and Through the Woods, An Inspector Calls, Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, Fiddler on the Loose, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Grease, The Miracle Worker, Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto, Hairspray, Kings & Queens of Country, Million Dollar Quartet, The 39 Steps, All Shook Up, Red Rock Diner, Anything Goes, Sexy Laundry, The Music Man, The Crazy Time, The Wizard of Oz, Look No Hans!, Godspell (U.S National Tour), Oliver!, The Love List, Blue Suede Shoes, Harvey. Other theatre: The Wizard of Oz (Charlottetown Festival); Rules and Regulations for Hanging out the Wash, Extraordinary, Canada In Love (Young At Heart Musical Theatre for Seniors).
Nadene Riehl (Assistant Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Beehive- the ‘60s Musical, Crazy For You, A Christmas Carol: The Panto, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical, Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream, Footloose, Bittergirl: The Musical, The Crooner, Wizard of Oz: The Panto, American Son, Legally Blonde – the Musical, We’ll Meet Again, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Good Ol’ Country Gospel, You’ll Get Used To It! … The War Show, Hairspray, Kings & Queens of Country, Million Dollar Quartet, Red Rock Diner, Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Canadian Legends, Twist & Shout, Snow White: The Panto, Footloose, Legends of Harmony. Other theatre: Seussical The Musical, Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, The Full Monty, Hairspray, The Sound of Music (KWMP); KW Glee. She’s excited to return for another great season at Drayton Entertainment. Enjoy the show!
the author
Stuart Ross
Mr. Ross, besides creating Forever Plaid has Mr. Ross has directed (and or wrote) over 50 productions throughout the USA, Canada and Internationally. He directed Forever Plaid at the West End’s Apollo Theatre and the film of Forever Plaid. He wrote Plaid Tidings for theatres in the States after the tragedy of 9/11. The Sound of Plaid (a glee club sequel to Forever Plaid – has performed around the world including The Edinburgh Festival.
His other shows include: Radiant Baby – The Keith Haring Musical at New York’s Public theatre; Enter Laughing, The Musical (Drama Desk Nomination); The Radio City Musical Easter Show. His television work includes the sitcom Frasier and PBS’ Great Performances.
Stuart actually began his directing and writing journey when he attended the University of Manchester. He later went on to study at New York’s Circle In The Square. He currently resides in both New York and Los Angeles.
music theatre international
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.
MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.
