Barn's 'Forever Plaid' is trip down memory lane

KALAMAZOO GAZETTE
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
By Gordon Bolar
Special to the Gazette

AUGUSTA -- The spirit of founders Jack and Betty Ragotzy was present and palpable in the house Tuesday night for the Barn Theatre's season opener, "Forever Plaid." Though Jack's traditional curtain speech was absent, the quality performances, crowd-pleasing numbers and attention to detail that have characterized Barn productions for 58 years will happily continue under his son, producer Brendan Ragotzy.

To succeed, "Forever Plaid" must be more than a collection of songs from the '50s and early '60s. Although audiences will enjoy the air-tight harmonies, rapid-fire vocal modulations and synchronized hand gestures that adorn this trip down memory lane, it is solid character portrayal that generates the real belly laughs, calls up the period from our memory banks and ultimately distinguishes this production.

The term "nerd" is sometimes used to describe the members of the foursome, The Plaids, who return to Earth after a fatal car crash to share their kindness, naivete and talent for a musical form that was also a casualty of the British rock invasion. But don't take the "n" word to mean the silly caricatures you might see in "Revenge of" movies. These Plaids are real flesh-and-blood people with a passion for their music and its presentation.

Despite the fact that each of these lovable song stylers is endowed with his own distinct affliction, such as asthma or thick, black-rimmed glasses, these foibles are consistently played with believability and serious intent. Support for the group, both in its sound and its appearance, are key motivations for each character.

Roy Brown's directionally challenged Smudge, for instance, is mortified when he discovers his plaid sash is inadvertently draped over the wrong shoulder. Eric Parker's Jinx is breathless with fear as he tentatively takes the lead vocal in "Cry." As he rises to the challenge, he finds both voice and self-confidence. Then, for the benefit of his partners, Jinx triumphantly removes his spotless fingers from his nostrils to reveal mastery over his nemesis -- Look, Ma, no nose bleed!

Other highlights of the evening include Christopher Lengerich's (Sparky) straight-faced butchery of the Spanish language in "Perfidia," a song about love and treachery, that is obviously beyond his limited teenage experience.

Finally, Scott Burkell, as Frankie, the group leader, wisely takes his time as he carefully prepares the ensemble for one last number before the group's final exit to the great beyond. As he does, he convincingly appeals to each member's sense of duty and refers to a kind of transcendence through vocal harmony that each has been seeking.

This is heady stuff for four guys from the high school audiovisual club who can't scrounge a date for Friday night. Somehow, Burkell and cast make it work. After a long moment there is a nod, a handshake, a touch on the shoulder, a smile and, slowly, a movement to places downstage center. As they launch into an uplifting four-part version of "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" and evoke that time "once on a high and windy hill," you begin to wonder how this form of vocal artistry ever died.

Then as the lights fade, you think that maybe it never did.

Barn Theatre founders, Jack and Betty Ragotzy, were memorialized on May 25, 2004, the evening of the Barn's  59th season opening.  State Senator, Tom George and State Representative, Lorence Wenke read the tribute aloud and presented Brendan Ragotzy, Jack and Betty's son and legacy, the framed memorial.  It read--

"STATE OF MICHIGAN SPECIAL MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO JACK AND BETTY RAGOTZY

"Here's to the house that Jack built.
Here's to the plays and musicals that were produced in the house that Jack built…"
--Howard McBride

"LET IT BE KNOWN, That it is with sincere respect that we join with family and friends in honoring the founders of The Barn Theatre, Jack and Betty Ragotzy.  As the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan raises the curtain on its 59th season of performances, it is entirely appropriate that we pay tribute to the wonderful couple that privileged the community with many magnificent programs.  Their talent and energies enhanced the quality of life for countless thousands of theatergoers.

"Jack and Betty's professional collaboration began at the Kalamazoo Civic Theater, launching a 49-year love affair with each other and the theater.  Married just two weeks after meeting, the Ragotzy's embarked on this partnership by starting the Village Players in 1946 and opening The Barn in 1949.  The Barn Theatre was a dream come true for this dynamic couple, and their love, laughter and enthusiasm will be sorely missed on the opening night of FOREVER PLAID as the 2004 season gets underway.

"Within two years of its inception, The Barn Theatre became an esteemed Equity resident summer stock theater, and is now the oldest in the state of Michigan and is one of the oldest in the country.  It was placed on the Michigan Register of Historic Sites in 1983, and is one of the only remaining structures of its kind in the United States.  Tom Wopat, former star of "The Dukes of Hazzard" is one of the most notable "Barnies" who got his professional start at this reputable summer stock theater.  Other celebrities who have graced the Barn's stage include Jennifer Garner, Marin Mazzie, Melissa Gilbert, Adrienne Barbeau, Dana Delany, Barbara Marineau, Patricia Wettig, Jonathan Larson, Becky Ann Baker, Robert Newman, Kim Zimmer, James B. Sikking, John Newton, Jon Cypher, Eric Riley, Darius de Haas and Edwina Lewis.  Through the years the plays and musicals presented at The Barn have enriched the lives of the performers, as well as those in the audience who have come to expect excellence in every performance and are not disappointed.

"IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, Therefore, This document is signed and dedicated to honor the memory of Jack and Betty Ragotzy for their creative vision and many years of dedication to entertaining the people of Michigan.  Richland, Galesburg, Augusta, and Charleston Township are particularly proud of this extraordinary couple and their contributions to the quality of life in southwest Michigan.  May their son, Brendan, and his wife, Penelope, and their family know of our admiration for Jack and Betty Ragotzy, and may they be remembered warmly as their legacy is carried on through the next generation at The Barn.

Signed by-
Jennifer Granholm, Governor
Tom George, State Senator The Twentieth District
Lorence Wenke, State Representative The Sixty-Third District
Jacob W. Hoogendyk, Jr., State Representative Sixty-First District 
Alexander C. Lipsey, State Representative The Sixtieth District"

In addition, Galesburg City Council Member Jim Nicolow presented and read a proclamation given by Galesburg Mayor, George R. Weston.  The proclamation honored Jack and Betty Ragotzy for their great vision, local contributions and the legacy of the Ragotzy's son, Brendan, his wife Penelope and their children.  Mayor Weston also proclaimed the month of June as "Barn Theatre Month."

CITY OF GALESBURG PROCLAMATION:

"WHEREAS, Jack and Betty Ragotzy founded the Barn Theatre with great vision in 1946.  Through Jack and Betty's vision the Village of Augusta, Charleston Township, the City of Galesburg and the Village of Richland have benefited.

"WHEREAS, the Barn Theatre partnered for years with Inman's Restaurant in Galesburg offering dinner theatre tickets.  A concept not available in communities of this size. 

"WHEREAS, over the years the Barn Theatre has entertained people from all over the world.

"WHEREAS, the beloved term "Barnies" was coined from the entertainers who rented rooms in our homes, lived in our communites and shopped at our stores over the years.

"WHEREAS, the legacy that Jack and Betty Ragotzy have left to their son Brendan, his wife Penelope and their children is one to be most proud of.

"THEREFORE, I George R. Weston, Mayor of the City of Galesburg do hereby proclaim June as "Barn Theatre Month" in tribute to the wonderful contribution Jack and Betty Ragotzy have made to the Galesburg Community.  I further, urge all of our Citizens to join me in observance of the barn's contribution to Galesburg, and make June a record ticket purchase month for the Barn Theatre.

"Given under my hand on this
25th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, 2004.

George R. Weston, Mayor"

The festivities concluded with the unveiling of a portrait of Jack and Betty Ragotzy, painted by Barn Theatre veteran, Associate Producer, and longtime friend of Jack and Betty's; Dusty Reeds.  This painting will hang prominently in the lobby of The Barn Theatre, as a loving tribute and memorial to our founders.

'Forever Plaid' alive, singing

ELKHART TRUTH
Marcia Fulmer   mfulmer@etruth.com
Entertainment Editor
Thursday, May 27, 2004

AUGUSTA, Mich. -- The Barn Theatre kicked off its 59th season Tuesday evening with one of the most popular musical reviews in recent history, "Forever Plaid."

The pop music of the 1950s-'60s as interpreted by the energetic -- and, not incidentally, deceased -- quartet obviously struck a chord with the highly receptive audience.

"Forever Plaid" is the comedic framework constructed to showcase popular tunes which, although familiar to older listeners, also strike a chord with younger listeners.

The premise is simple. En route to a 1964 engagement at an airport bistro, the Fusa-lounge, the young quartet meets with a fatal accident, squashed by a bus full of schoolgirls from Our Lady of Harrisburg on their way to watch the Beatles on the "Ed Sullivan Show."

Suddenly -- actually 40 years later -- they find themselves in musical limbo, ready to "make the biggest comeback since Lazarus," perform that originally scheduled concert and earn entrance to the pearly gates.

Are Frankie (Scott Burkell), Smudge (Roy Brown), Sparky (Christopher Lengerich) and Jinx (Eric Parker) up to the challenge? You don't have to ask.

The players work hard to establish their individual personas. Battling nosebleeds, asthma attacks, nervous stomachs and, of course, the ever-present stage fright, the quartet plunges ahead, handling the show's 30 songs in a melodic mixture of individual numbers and fast-paced medleys (the Sullivan show -- acrobats, ventriloquists and dog acts included -- in three minutes and 11 seconds).

All have strong solo voices and the harmonic blend is close, if sometimes harsh. Brown, Parker and Burkell are veterans of The Barn stage, but first-timer Lengerich more than holds his own as the graduates of the "Osterizer School of Harmonic Theory" continue their search for "the perfect chord."

Along the way they display record-less Plaid album covers filled only with their dreams and reminisce about the joy of 45rpm single records and LPs, show off their "catering" drills, recall the Sunday-night-only family togetherness in front of the TV, thwarted career aspirations and a dream-come-true meeting with their idol, Mr. C -- Perry Como.

Naturally, all of these segue into musical numbers, with solid piano accompaniment by Steven Zumbrun and guitarist Troy Benton.

If you remember it, it almost certainly is there.

From the opening "Three Coins in the Fountain" to the final "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing," The Plaids handle ballads and up-tempo tunes with enthusiastic aplomb. The choreography is, of necessity, limited and much of the "shtick" obviously is written in the script, a realization that comes only after seeing several different productions.

These hard-working Plaids, however, make the most of everything.

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