‘Plaid’ Weaves a Timely Holiday Interlude

Plaid is a many splendored thing.

Weave red and green in a plaid pattern and it becomes emblematic of the Christmas season. Weave together tight harmonies, adroit comedy and holiday sentiment and the “special holiday edition” of “Forever Plaid” at Pasadena Playhouse becomes a funny, wistful Christmas show.

OK, it’s a little early for a Christmas show. Yet recent events have left many yearning for a tonic that would help restore--if only for a couple of hours--”the world’s harmonal balance,” in the words of one of the Plaids. That’s a function of holiday shows, even without world crises. Those who see this latest “Plaid” are not likely to complain that it opened 11 days before Thanksgiving.

For those who never saw the original, the fictional Forever Plaid quartet consists of high school chums from the ‘50s who were obsessed with singing like the four-part, white-bread guy groups of that era. They had never advanced beyond amateur gigs by the time a bus accident killed them in 1964. But they came back from the dead to present the big show they had always wanted to do.

Now they’ve been given yet another chance. At first they’re not sure why. Soon, after they find Christmas songs mysteriously invading their repertory, it becomes clear that they’ll get to perform the Christmas TV special that they never got the opportunity to do.

Creator-writer-director Stuart Ross says this is not a new show: It’s a variation on the old one. “Plaid” fans will recognize some of the structure, jokes and songs from the previous production, including the show-stopping quickie tour through the essence of Ed Sullivan’s TV show. This time, there’s an extra quickie tour through the earlier “Forever Plaid” itself, in order to help brief the audience’s Plaid “virgins.”

Other numbers combine old and new. This calypso homage looks like the same section in the first version, but did that show include the lyric “in excelsis day-o”?

As well as oddball arrangements of Christmas standards, the score wanders into holiday-themed non-standards, including Steve Allen’s amusing “Cool Yule,” in which Ross has interpolated a surprising sideways glance at another source of cool, “West Side Story.”

The show’s biggest surprise is Brad Ellis’ hip-hop setting for “‘Twuz the Night Before Christmas.” The Plaids, who have switched from plaid tuxes to red cardigans for the second act, suddenly become seized with music and movement from a more recent pop era. Led by Michael Winther’s Frankie, they demonstrate their usual appealing blend of physical klutziness and musical sheen.

Each member of the cast brings a distinctive look and shtick to the show. Leo Daignault, the high tenor, has more breathtaking musical moments than the others--his ethereal intro to “Moments to Remember” from the first version is intact. But his smooth vocals are juxtaposed with his square-jawed, squinty-eyed face, which frequently reflects either over-the-top fervor or blatant panic.

John-Michael Flate’s bass makes the funniest well-timed “mistakes” in the choreography. He has a simple, wonderful bit with an errant label dangling from his shades.

Steve Gunderson’s slightly chubby features provide a new look for the peppiest Plaid. And Winther, with his worried visage and receding hairline, shines in a spoken monologue about Rudolph and the loneliness of the long-distance reindeer.

Musical director David Snyder is the dapper onstage pianist, and bassist John Smith adds depth to the whimsical arrangements by the late James Raitt and Ellis.

The finale, before the requisite reprise of the group’s signature “Many-Splendored Thing,” is a glowing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” With its message of hope mingled with the bittersweet line about the need “to muddle through somehow,” it’s an ideal fit for the Plaids--and for the current mood of their audience.

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“Forever Plaid--A Special Holiday Edition,” Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave. Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; next Monday, 8 p.m. Dark Thanksgiving. Ends Dec. 16. $15-$50. (626) 356-PLAY. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Leo Daignault: Jinx

John-Michael Flate: Smudge

Steve Gunderson: Sparky

Michael Winther: Frankie

Written, directed and musical staging by Stuart Ross. Original musical continuity, supervision and arrangements by James Raitt. Musical director David Snyder. Additional music and vocal arrangements Brad Ellis. Set by Neil Peter Jampolis. Costumes by Debra Stein. Lighting by Jane Reisman. Sound by Frederick W. Boot. Production stage manager Jill Gold.