by Jody Key

In the early 1960s, the Beatles sparked a musical revolution, introducing a new brand of music that moved the industry in a new direction. Their style dominated over the close-harmony “guy groups” that ruled pop music in the 1950s. Historians might say that The Beatles “killed” that mix of jazz and big-band sound sung with barbershop-style harmonies. Such is the premise for Forever Plaid which opened Friday, Feb. 15th at the Historic Holly Theatre in Dahlonega taking its audiences on a mystical trip to the past.

In fact, the 4 fictitious young men of the group The Plaids were literally killed and the Beatles are partly to blame. This is the story of a singing group who dreamed of making their first album. The group members met their demise in an auto accident with a bus filled with Catholic Schoolgirls on their way to see the Beatles’ American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Consequently, the musical revue Forever Plaid begins with the group returning from the afterlife for the show they were never able to perform.

The four performers, Frankie, Sparky, Smudge, and Jinx (played respectively by Adam Jarard, Nathan Gerrells, Jake Williams, and Ryan Krygier) are high school chums whose initial common interest was the Audio-Visual club. As the evening unfolds, we get to know and love each of these endearlingy nerdy yet vocally talented characters on a personal level. Combined with the musical stylings of Danny Jarrad on piano and Hoyt Jordan on bass guitar, the voices of these four men blend together on numorous numbers as sweetly as a malted milkshake. Not only do they sound heavenly they also add in Temptations-style dance moves choreographed by Kailey Steele. Top off the evening with audience interaction and participation, and you have a fun, feel-good show that will keep your feet tapping and your heart happy. If you’re looking for purely wholesome entertainment, this show is a Key-noteworthy must-see.

Forever Plaid plays at the Historic Holly Theatre Februrary 15-17, 22-24 and March 1-3, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Get your tickets at http://www.hollytheater.com/