WVLO's Plaid Tidings


Tight harmonies, but not such a tight plotline

Last night we saw the closing performance of WVLO's Plaid Tidings, staring three of the four Plaids from their prior production of Forever Plaid five years ago (Robin Melnick, Mike Amaral and Tim Reynolds) and joined by new Plaid Ben D'Angelo.

A holiday sequel to Forever Plaid, Plaid Tidings doesn't have quite the simple, tight storyline that the original has. About halfway through the first act I did feel like shouting out: We know it's going to be a holiday show...get to the holiday music why don't you? Along with an egregious detour into an unnecessary "hip-hop" number, those were the two down sides to the show.

The up side of a Plaid show will always be tied directly to how good the four Plaids sound together, and these four sound great. Amaral can really soar on his first tenor lines, and Melnick provides a solid, foundational bass line throughout.

Along the way they each get to exhibit adorableness, and while this kind of show cum review should really clock in at under two hours, this was a pleasant entree into the holiday season.

It's a shame this holiday show closed so early in the month, but I'm glad we caught it before the Plaids made their way back to the harmonious heavens.

Posted: Sun - December 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM       EmailFeedback

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