LOGAN — Lyric Repertory Company in Logan is celebrating it’s 60th Anniversary this summer. This weekend the company opened it’s 2026 season with the crooning classic Forever Plaid, written by Stuart Ross. Forever Plaid at Lyric Repertory is directed by Richie Call. The show follows four singers who met their untimely demise as they were on their way to their first big gig in the 1950s. Now they have returned in the present day to try and live the glory days of their music and gain a place as bona fide musicians. The premise seems silly, and truthfully it is. If you have never seen the show before, you may be sitting there looking for a twist or something more to the plot, but there is not. It is just a cute little cover to get four men to sing songs in four part harmony performing for a live audience.
Forever Plaid was first written in 1989, and has been performed all over the world due to its ease of production and crowd pleasing music. The first time I saw a production was actually right here at the Lyric in the early 2000s, starring current director Call. With Call now in the director chair, he has cast four talented young men in the roles of the Plaids: Francis played by Grayson Jenkins, Jinks played by Kaito Davis, Smudge played by Riley Kyle Thompson, and Sparky played by Graydee Noyes. The four young men spend the show singing famous hits that are recognizable and toe-tapping.
Music is the main element and draw. Music director Lizzy Prettyman understood this, and did a phenomenal job of playing up all the musical elements of the musical. Specifically, one of the best parts of the show was the choice to use live musicians. Prettyman was on keys, and she was joined by Kelin Gibbons on Bass, and Daniel Hankins on drums. When a show is focused on songs as a jukebox musical, the addition of live music adds so much. The harmonies of the four singers was fantastic, and the way the three musicians built on that was magical. I found this such a great addition as a singer and a musician improving the quality of the production.
Forever Plaid has several fun parts that make it an audience favorite. From a few moments where they pull in audience participation, to moments where they break the fourth wall and talk to the audience about what has happened in their timeline and what is happening now, it is a delightful evening of music as a live concert. Many of the songs, mostly mid 20th century tunes and style, are recognizable to a particular generation, and it is clear that the Logan audience was enjoying it. The younger audience may not recognize the music, so it might be a bit of a tougher sell to get them to understand the theme and connection to the show.
The four singers were extremely talented. Thompson as Smudge was quite impressive as the bass singer, and I really enjoyed songs like “Chain Gang” and “Sixteen Tons” because of his skills. I also loved the way that they all played on how fun it is to perform, and each showed their appreciation for the chance to be onstage.
I also appreciated the lighting design by Bruce Duerden. Forever Plaid is a very simple show, with quite a simple set using microphones and stools to sit on. The design for the Lyric Rep production did not move away from this concept, yet at the end of the show, there were disco balls and other lights making for a big change. Adding these additional design elements helped emphasize the final stanzas of the show. This really helped change the tone and bring the production to it’s climatic finale in a great way.
While the other shows in the 60th season for the Lyric represent many different genres and theatrical experiences, Forever Plaid represents a nice evening out celebrating fun music. Richie Call has developed a love letter to barbershop music and the joy of connecting to the audience. It seems an apropos way to start off the 60th summer telling stories in Logan.
MORE INFO: Forever Plaid is currently playing in repertory during the Lyric Repertory Company season in Logan Utah on various days through August 1st at the Caine Lyric Theatre (30 West Center Street, Logan, Utah 84321). Tickets are $48-58. For more information see https://www.usu.edu/lyricrep/.
