It makes perfect sense that the Penobscot Theatre Company would choose a show such as “Plaid Tidings” as one of its two repertory holiday performances. After all, last year’s production of “Forever Plaid,” the original show in which a recently deceased early 1960s vocal group called the Plaids is brought back from the dead for one show only, broke box office records. It was the highest-selling show in PTC’s history. Why wouldn’t you try to repeat that with the holiday-themed sequel to the original? Ticket sales were strong months before rehearsals even started.
There’s just one problem: “Plaid Tidings” is not as good a show as “Forever Plaid.” In fact, the first half of the show is essentially a reprise of the original, before playwright Stuart Ross manages to graft a very loosely conceived holiday plot onto the “Plaid” concept. There’s the Ed Sullivan bit, the calypso bit, the “honorary Plaid” bit — just with the addition of Santa hats and tinsel. Anyone who saw “Forever Plaid” last year will notice this.
It’s pretty safe to say that very few audience members care about that, however. People don’t see “Plaid” for its compelling storyline and dramatic pyrotechnics. They want to see four cute guys sing and dance for an hour and a half — and that’s exactly what they get. Ben Laymen and Dominick Varney of the original PTC “Plaid” cast and newcomers Jesse Havea and Peter Carrier deliver the goods. Though in the first week of shows it seemed that there were a number of just-missed dance cues and minor technical difficulties, it is nevertheless pretty obvious that all four Plaid lads are true professionals. Even if the plot is as thin as tissue paper and there’s hardly an original idea in the entire show, the dancing and singing more than make up for it.
Varney is as rubbery and ridiculous as Sparky as he was last year. Havea, as the bass-baritone of the group Smudge, ups the dancing ante in a huge way with a Gene Kelly homage — choreographed by former “Plaid” Nathan Halvorson, who added far more dance this year than last. Carrier has a great tenor voice and a relaxed stage presence, perfect as the main crooner and unofficial leader of the group, Frankie. And Ben Laymen continues to prove to audiences that he has the best male tenor voice in theater in eastern Maine. When he hits those high notes, or manages to hold a note for multiple measures, it’s just short of sublime. We’re lucky to have someone of his talent in the area.
The other repertory show at PTC this holiday season is “The Velveteen Rabbit,” a brand-new adaptation of the children’s classic written by PTC technical director Andrew Frodahl. This utterly charming hourlong production is a treat for families, complete with dear little puppets, gentle humor and a sweet ending that packs an unexpected tear-jerking punch. Jasmine Ireland as Vel, the rabbit, is a heroine you can root for, with her longing to be real — to be loved, in other words — providing the emotional center. John Greenman is the growly wooden lion named Timothy, and also plays the doctor, Charles, who treats the boy. Charles becomes the other central figure of the play, and Greenman’s transformation from crabby old man to openhearted friend to the rabbit is a joy to watch. All four puppeteers are visible during the show, but it is never a distraction. Rather, they complement their puppets’ movements.
PTC has long had a high standard for visually striking productions, and “Velveteen” is no exception. The set is designed to replicate a 1920s living room and children’s bedroom, giving a cozy, intimate vibe. Near the end, when Vel is transformed from sawdust-filled toy to real rabbit, the light show that happens provoked “oohs” and “aahs” from the large group of children in attendance. Should you want to give your children a fun gift this Christmas that they’ll talk about all week, you should look no further than PTC’s “Velveteen.”