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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2005)
37 THEATER ▼ Face the musicals Forever Plaid, shows its stripes; Rocky Horror shows its legs Forever Plaid day through Aug. 20 at Sylvia’s Restaurant & Class Act Dinner Theatre, 5115 N.E. Sandy Blvd. For information and reservations, call 503-288-6828 or visit www.sylvias.net. —Timothy Krause his show’s not called Forever Plaid for noth ing. Like its characters, this comhall con traption is revived over and over again, most recently at Sylvia’s Class Act Dinner Theatre. And there’s a reason: It’s simple, fool The Rocky Horror Show proof fun. A 1950s quartet of young lads—killed in a he prospect of experiencing The Rocky Hor car crash on the way to their first big break— ror Show for the first time seemed terrifying. miraculously returns from the hereafter to For years I’d heard stories about “virgins” endearingly bumble their way through the being pulled out of the audience and brought dream concert they never got the chance to onstage for some sort of ritualistic humiliation. perform in life. As you might expect, the plot Thank gcxxJness Triangle Productions is is tangential to presenting a kinder, gen the music, itself a tler Horror Show, the wiped-clean trib 1973 stage musical that ute to our mid inspired the 1975 cult hit century adoles film The Rocky Horror cence when Picture Show, which 30 everyone seem years later still draws y * y* / ingly got along, or crowds of prop-clutching at least sang, in freaks to Clinton Street perfect harmony. Theater at midnight As such, it every Saturday. Unlike hums along with the celluloid version, its own bit of spir there’s no need to bring ited sentiment, toast, and producer Don from “Catch a Hom is begging audience Falling Star” and members to leave their “Love Is a Many hot dogs and rice at Splendored home. Squirt guns, how Thing” to “Per- ever, are welcome, and fidia” and oh- confetti is provided by won’t-they-ban- the house along with a it-outright “Heart program that doubles as a and Soul.” Some The plot is tangential to the music in Forever Plaid. newspaper to cover your where in the mid head during the thun dle, the boys render a derstorm scene. nearly masculine The simple story interpolation of involves a newly “Chain Gang” linked engaged couple, Janet with the heavy bass of (Jami Chatalas Blan “Sixteen Tons.” And, chard) and Brad yes, the squeaky-clean (Kelsey Tyler), stuck goof-nuts pull out all in the middle of the stops for the nowhere with a flat requisite plunger-pop- tire, until they stum pin’ of “Crazy ’Bout ble upon a remote castle inhabited by Ya Baby” and the “sweet transvestite” revue’s seemingly sig Frank-n-Furter. Wade nature song that McCollum (Hedwig always feels plaid, and the Angry Inch) “Three Coins in the makes a grand Fountain.” entrance as the mad As Jinx, Ammon scientist and proceeds Morris (Sordid Lives, to steal the show with Pageant, Debbie Does his hearty lungs and Dallas) brings a break twisted contortion. out voice. Brian Wade McCollum steals The Rocky Horror Show. Hom, who normal “Sparky" Bartley ly stays behind the (Monky Business) has scenes, makes a rare onstage appearance as the musical comedy written all over him. Like their characters, fellow crooners Jason Ogan Narrator. Although it’s great to see him poking fun at himself (particularly his overtanned (Frankie) and SunSHINE (Smudge) hint at untapped potential, and all four, in their hide), his lines are more distracting than help ful. But at least he’s going (Hit with a bang, as checkered-dinner-jacket way, keep the blue this is Triangle’s final production after 15 years. hair laughin’ and feet a-tappin’. Shows have been selling out consistently, so But that’s about as close to heaven as we make your reservations now. get, because even when director Edward James’ The Rocky Horror Show has been extended production hits all the right notes, it doesn’t through Aug. 20 at Theater Theatre, 3430 really find its voice. And therein lies the double-edged sword of the foolproof musical: It S.E. Belmont St. Tickets are $35 at the door may be hard to mess up, but it’s doubly hard to and $30 in advance from 503-239-5919 or make it your own. TicketsWest. —Jim Radosta JH Forever Plaid continues Thursday to Satur- T T i J