‘Forever Plaid’ Still Sings With Harmony, a Lot of Pep

If there’s one thing the “Forever Plaid� guys know, it’s how to make a comeback. The premise of Stuart Ross’ show is that an early-’60s four-part harmony group--who in life was barely known even in its little part of Pennsylvania--has returned from the dead in triumph. So it’s not surprising that the Plaidsters are back again at the same Can~on Theatre in Beverly Hills, where they spent 19 months in 1992-93.

It’s not exactly the same four, however. Only two members of this quartet were previously at the Can~on. A third, Neil Nash, has been seen in other Southland incarnations of “Plaid,� including the 1995 production at La Mirada Theatre. The remaining member of this cast, Paul Castree, has “Plaid� experience elsewhere but not in Southern California.

Castree looks very much the youngest member of this foursome, which is appropriate for his role of Jinx, the high-flying tenor and nose-bleeder. More than most Jinxes, this one looks like a scared adolescent. But like the other members of the group, when he drops his personal anxieties and lets his voice soar, it does so with unerring grace.

Nash plays Frankie, the relatively suave Plaid. Frankie’s the only one whose best moment isn’t sung--he speaks Ross’ glowing final tribute to the wonders of harmony. Nash makes it, well, sing.

David Engel, the original Smudge from off-Broadway as well as in San Diego, Pasadena and Beverly Hills, is back, still drawing a nifty contrast between his trouble with the concepts of left and right and his authoritatively booming bass.

Larry Raben, who originated the role of Sparky here and in London (though not in New York), again bounces all over the Can~on stage as the peppiest of the Plaids. He embodies one of the script’s greatest, goofiest lines--that the sentiments in this show, “while peppy, are true.�

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Of course individual performances aren’t as important here as the blend, and that blend is in fine form, with every “mistake� in the dance steps perfectly timed for maximum chuckles, and with a musical mix that makes the room vibrate in pleasure. Ross remains the director, and musical director David Snyder and sound designer Tony Tait keep the sounds of all those golden oldies--so expertly arranged by the late James Raitt--alive and precise.

Even after repeated visits to Plaidland, it hasn’t lost its charm. Although the show superficially looks like nothing but fluff, the Plaids’ belief in the value of their musical experience--regardless of the earthly rewards it brings--truly tugs at the heart as well as the funny bone.

“Plaid� power lives.

* “Forever Plaid,� Can~on Theatre, 205 N. Can~on Drive, Beverly Hills. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 and 9 p.m.; Sundays, 3 and 7 p.m. Ends Feb. 28. $25-$42.50. (310) 859-2830, (213) 365-3500. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.