Think you can't condense part of TV's longest running variety show, "The Ed Sullivan Show," into three minutes and 11 seconds?
Think again.
The four men of "Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings" are about to do just that with their second chance on Earth for a posthumous performance in full plaid costumes.
The sequel to "Forever Plaid," "Plaid Tidings" will open at 6 p.m. today at Capital City Productions. It's been nearly two decades since the theater has visited the original, and artistic director Rob Crouse said he knew they were ready to put on "Plaid Tidings" when he spotted the perfect group of musical young men.
The premise of the Christmas special starts with a phone call from the "heavenly Rosemary Clooney" who lets them know they're needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world, according to the theater's website. It's also a second chance for the group of men, who never made it to perform their first concert in the original "Forever Plaid." What ensues is a "humorous journey," filled with Christmas spirit, Crouse said.
"It's a perfect show for Christmas because it's a blending of popular music and Christmas songs," he said. "It's extremely funny and a totally family-friendly show that everybody is going to laugh at from your toddler to your grandmother."
Casting for a musical production like "Plaid Tidings" isn't always easy, though.
"The Plaid shows are very difficult shows cause you have to have four extremely musically talented boys because the entire show is close harmony singing," Crouse said.
Along with learning the difficult singing parts, stars Alex Armstrong, Troy Ludwig, Murphy Ward and Baylor Webb traveled back in time to familiarize themselves with names like Ed Sullivan and Perry Como.
Crouse joked the age difference between the musical material and the cast was an acting challenge but one that provided opportunities for education.
"Perry Como was unknown to them," Crouse said. "Just lots of things like that throughout the show that, because I'm an old geezer, I grew up on that, they have no clue about."
CCP has a long run of shows - 15 total - ahead, but the cast is staying energetic. Crouse said the men are "dedicated, disciplined people, and fortunately, they have endless, unlimited energy."
Out of the 15 total performances, 12 will offer dinner by Argyle Catering Company. In true holiday fashion, CCP will also serve its traditional holiday peppermint cheesecake. Crouse said the menu is typical of what you'd get at "grandma's house." And of course, the theater will be decorated with holiday cheer to bring about Christmas spirit.
But after "Plaid Tidings" finishes and the decorations come down, CCP will move into a new location. CCP is currently at 1200 Linden Drive and has not officially announced a new location.
"The fact that ("Plaid Tidings") will be the last show in our home the last performance will be kind of bittersweet," Crouse said. "We put a lot of work and love into that building."
Tickets are $38 for dinner shows and $25 for production-only shows.
For more information about evening, matinee and production-only performances, visit ccpjc.org. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the ticket line at 573-681-9612. Upon arrival at the theater, guests will check in by last name at the reception desk.