Hop back to the 1950s as First Impressions Theatre brings the fantastically funny and timeless Forever Plaid to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Feb. 22.

A quartet of male singers on their way to their first big concert meet a startling end when they take a detour to heaven, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of their show.

Forever Plaid is one of off-Broadway’s most popular and successful musicals, and is a funny revue chock-full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies. Mischievous and unashamedly heartwarming homage to the sweet sounds of the ’50s and ’60s, and features popular hits such as “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “16 Tons,” and “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.”

High school pals Sparky, Jinx, Smudge, and Francis make up the Plaids, a talented group of men who love singing harmonies. On their way to their first big show, they are involved in a car accident with a bus full of Catholic schoolgirls on their way to see the Beatles’ American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. After ending up stuck in limbo due to their unresolved concert, the young men are allowed to return to Earth to perform their final concert, to hopefully win a place in heaven. Overcoming a mix of asthma, ulcers, nerves and forgotten lyrics, the Plaids work towards giving the best first concert they can.

Musical Theatre superstar, Jason Graae, originated the role of Sparky in the Broadway production of Forever Plaid and incidentally was one of the stars that came to Chilliwack to open the Chilliwack Cultural Centre almost a decade ago.

Settle in for a musical journey as these four charming young men take you through your favourite pop hits of the 50s through delightful choreography and a whole lot of comedy.

Forever Plaid is coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $37 and $35 for youth, and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).

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Chilliwack Progress