Preview: Plaid TidingsRaleigh Little Theatre and Actors Comedy Lab Preview Those “Forever Plaid” boys are back in “Plaid Tidings” Raleigh Little Theatre and Actors Comedy Lab will present Stuart Ross’ 2003 musical comedy FOREVER PLAID: PLA ID TIDINGS on Dec. 5-7, 11-14, and 18-21 in RLT’s Gaddy-Goodwin Theatre. Actors Comedy Lab co-founders Rod and Nancy Rich will direct and choreograph the show, and Raleigh Little Theatre veteran Harrison Fisher will serve as its musical director. The cast includes David Adams, Jason Justice, Jon Karnofsky, and Jim Tarantino. “[PLAID TIDINGS] was brought to my attention by Ellen Landau, the managing director of RLT, recalls Rod Rich. “Prior to that, I’d directed RLT’s production of FOREVER PLAID 11 years ago, a show so successful that a beautifully framed black-and-white photo from it still hangs in the RLT’s offices in a place of honor, just over the men’s loo. I guess there’s just something about four men frozen aloft over long-handled plumber’s helpers that inspires through the ages.” He adds, “I liked the music a lot. Complex stuff, with lots of jazzy intervals woven into the standard 1950s guy group harmonies. Purists might have problems with it, but it’s exciting to listen to, and we’ve got four guys and a music director in Harrison who can really do it all justice.” When the curtain rises on PLAID TIDINGS, says Rod Rich, “The four guys from FOREVER PLAID -- Franky, Sparky, Jinx, and Smudge -- are brought back to Earth once more, and they have to figure out why. Turns out it has to do with things like their Cosmic Recertification, and also doing a Christmas show. Who knew?” In addition to director Rod Rich, who also serves as sound designer for PLAID TIDINGS, the show’s creative team includes choreographer Nancy Rich; musical director Harrison Fisher; technical director and set and lighting designer Thomas Mauney, and stage manager Tony Landavazo. Rod Rich cracks, “No one seems to want the credit [for the costume design].” But, he adds, “the “FOREVER PLAID” boys are back, and they still have the plaid jackets they had they’re last outing on Earth, at least for the first act. Second act, it’s Christmasy red cardigan sweaters. (They’re not really the same jackets, of course. Believe it or not, RLT still has those, but the Plaids of today just don’t fit the coats o f yesteryear.)” Concerning the set for PLAID TIDINGS, Rod Rich quips, “I’m sure it will be very, very lovely!” and its lighting is “Ditto!” He adds that the challenge of staging PLAID TIDINGS on a short rehearsal schedule is, “Complex music, complex music, and complex music. Oh! and complex music. And they had to learn to do the dancing as well. Choreo-goddess Nancy came up with some clever, funny stuff; and I’m not saying this because I’m married to her. Not just, anyway.… “[Triangle theatergoers] should get tickets pretty darn quick -- those puppies seem to be going fast!” claims Rod Rich Raleigh Little Theatre and Actors Comedy Lab present FOREVER PLAID: PLAID TIDINGS Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 11-13 and 18-20, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 21, at 3 p.m. in RLT’s Gaddy-Goodwin Theatre, 301 Pogue St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27607. $18 ($15 students up to and including college and seniors 62+). 919/821-3111 or visit etix.com. NOTE: All shows are wheelchair accessible. RALEIGH LITTLE THEATER: http://raleighlittletheatre.org/events/plaidtidings.html. ACTORS COMEDY LAB: http ://www.actorscomedylab.com/next.html. PLAID TIDINGS: http://www.plaidtidings.com/pt.html. 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