Laguna Playhouse Presents PLAID TIDINGS, 11/27-12/30

Laguna Playhouse presents the third show of their 2012-2013 season, PLAID TIDINGS, written and directed by Stuart Ross. The cast of PLAID TIDINGS will feature William Martinez as Frankie, Scott Dreier as Smudge, David Brannen as Sparky and Ciaran McCarthy as Jinx. PLAID TIDINGS will preview on Tuesday, November 27; Wednesday, November 28; Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, December 1 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

On February 9, 1964, the semi-professional harmony group ‘Forever Plaid’ was tragically killed en route to their first big gig, but Frankie, Sparky, Smudge and Jinx are back on The Laguna Playhouse stage this December in the heart-warming holiday musical, Plaid Tidings. The only problem for this quartet of confused doo-wop wanna-be’s is that they have no idea why they’ve been sent to Laguna Beach or why they all have the overwhelming urge to sing Christmas classics such as “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “ Let It Snow,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Audiences are encouraged to help the Plaids find their way once again to the spirit of joy and community that sustains them and all of us during the holiday season.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST

Stuart Ross (Writer/Director) Author/Director) In addition to directing the original New York production, Ross has directed PLAID TIDINGS and FOREVER PLAID in major cities in the US (including Los Angeles and San Diego) and around the world. In addition to PLAID TIDINGS, Ross created the ‘GLEE CLUB’ Version - THE SOUND OF PLAID (a 24-cast co-ed edition). Ross also wrote and directed FOREVER PLAID: THE MOVIE.

In New York last season, Ross directed the highly acclaimed STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS. He co-produced the show in Los Angeles with the late Joan Stein, for which they received the LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD.

Other New York credits: Director, ENTER LAUGHING: THE MUSICAL at the YORK and Bay Street Theatre (Drama Desk, Lortel, Outer Critics Circle nominations), which is currently in pre-production for Broadway. Also for the YORK THEATRE, he directed IT’S A BIRD IT’S A PLANE IT’S SUPERMAN, BAJOUR, MINNIE’S BOYS, and COMPOSE YOURSELF. Ross wrote the script and co-wrote the lyrics for The Public Theatre's production of RADIANT BABY (directed by George C. Wolfe). This musical, based on the life of artist KEITH HARING, received Drama Desk Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel award nominations for Best Musical. Ross adapTed Gilbert and Sullivan's THE GONDOLIERS, which was presented in workshop for THE ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY in New York. On Broadway, Ross co-wrote the book (with Barry Keating) to the Tony-nominated musical STARMITES, as well as THE RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL EASTER SHOW. Off-Broadway, he wrote A LEAP OF FAITH (a one-woman show for Faith Prince), THE HEEBIE JEEBIES, NOT-SO-NEW FACES, TEA WITH BEA and FUN WITH DICK AND JANE: THE MUSICAL.

In California, Ross directed reprise productions of PROMISES PROMISES (starring Jason Alexander, Jean Smart, Fred Willard and Allan Thicke) and BRIGADOON (starring Marin Mazzie, Jason Daniely, DEB GIBSON and Orson Bean), IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (starring Alfred Molina, Michael Richards, Tony Shaloub, Sharon Lawrence, and Orson Bean), SILK STOCKINGS(also adaptation), THE BOSWELL SISTERS and BREAKING UP.

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