Art Station’s Holiday Musical
STONE MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA-What the world needs this
time of year are tidings of comfort and joy. And the Art Station Theatre, one of
Georgia’s priceless cultural gems delivers with Plaid Tidings, the
seasonal sequel to the phenomenally successful revue Forever Plaid. During
two hours of song and dance, the foursome, Smudge, Jinks, Frankie and Sparky,
take the holiday audience on a journey designed, they announce, to “make
America plaid again.”
There was a time when vocal quartets literally dominated
American popular music. This version is more Frankie Valli’s Four Seasons than
the Four Aces, both gifted and enormously popular, but different because of the
former’s falsetto harmonies which the guys of Plaid Tidings do thanks in
part to the presence of two gifted tenors. One, Tony Hays (Jinks), performs
solo shows on the high seas with several luxury cruise lines and has starred at
Trolley Stop Cabaret.
Those old enough to remember the halcyon days of live black
and white TV shows like Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason, Sid Caesar, Perry Como,
and Nat King Cole will find the songs and skits familiar and nostalgic.
Children, too, will be spellbound by the harmonies, rhythms, slapstick,
costumes and omnipresent goodwill. For those in between, everything may depend
on appreciation of American popular music and the enormous cultural
contributions of vaudeville and musical theater.
If you were entertained by Memphis, Ain’t
Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café and Million Dollar Quartet and
find yourself wiping away a tear when I’ll be home for Christmas, fills
the air, then Plaid Tidings will put you into the spirit of the season.
Human voices are wonderful instruments and these stage stars
deliver every note and verse seamlessly. Patrick Hutchison’s light-fingered
piano accompaniment and musical direction powers the songs, adding those
Americana touches that connect generations. The dancing is fun with bits of
good humor, topped by a transformation of the Plaids to a Nineties boy band for
"'Twuz tha Nite B4 Xmas."
Plaid Tidings, like real Champagne or homemade eggnog
promises nothing less that satisfaction: A cup of holiday cheer is delivered,
overflowing with comfort and joy.
NOTE: Art Station includes one of the region's top art galleries. Just opened: "My Southern Memories," 25 new paintings by Olivia Thomason.
www.artstation.org
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