Directed and Choreographed by DEE DEE WOOD
Musical Direction by Dan Kurek

“This is a joyful and very funny musical with smooth, tight harmonies from the 1950s that really seems to touch people.” Kevin Glenn, DFT’s artistic director is happy to point out, “On top of that, anyone who has ever seen a production directed by Dee Dee Wood knows that they’re in for a treat.”

Sparky, Jinx, Frankie and Smudge met in high school and bonded in Audio Visual Club over singing idols like Perry Como, Harry Belafonte, Tennessee Ernie Ford and the Four Freshmen. Without dating to get in the way of rehearsal in the basement of the plumbing supply company where Smudge works, the four friends became The Plaids.

They’ve got their day jobs ­ Jinx in auto parts, Frankie in dental supplies and Sparky in ‘better dresses’ ­ but these guys share more than their cherry-red 1954 Mercury convertible. They have a dream. The Plaids are devoted to music, each other and to putting on, as Ed Sullivan says, “a really good shew.”

DFT’s Forever Plaid is directed with fun-loving ‘Plaiditude’ by Emmy Award winner Dee Dee Wood who was recently inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Ms. Wood knows her way around musical comedy. Check out her work in movie classics like Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Sound of Music.

“I have loved the musical comedy Forever Plaid since I first heard the music and am thrilled to be working again with Dan Kurek, our music director. We’re having a ball rehearsing our talented cast!” said Ms. Wood when asked about her involvement with Desert Foothills Theater. “One of the rewards I receive is being able to share my 30 years of Broadway, film, and TV “Show-Biz” experience and knowledge with the actors, dancers, and singers in the community.”

Ms. Wood gives the guys their smooth moves, while music director Dan Kurek leads Jesse Berger (Sparky), Mitch Stafford (Jinx), Aaron Tucker (Frankie) and Matt Bauer (Smudge) through layer after layer of luscious harmonies.

Arizoni Award winning costume designer Diane Welle and set designer Mark Harris are in on the high-jinks, creating an atmosphere for serious belly laughs without overwhelming the heartfelt songs produced by the four golden-throated crooners. Those voices will be heard in ‘surround sound’ thanks to sound designer Toby Payne’s professional system which will be brought in for this show.

Curtain Times
Thursday, Friday & Saturdays at 7:30 pm — $22 Adult & $12 Youths (18 & under)
Sunday Matinee at 2:00 pm — $20 Adult & $12 Youths (18 & under)

Performances are at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center
33606 North 60th Street, Cave Creek, Arizona 85331
(1/2 mile south of Carefree Highway)

Starring (in alphabetical order)
Matt Bauer as Smudge
Jesse Berger as Sparky
Mitch Stafford as Jinx
Aaron Tucker as Frankie

Set Design: Mark Harris
Sound Design: Toby Payne
Costume Design: Diane Welle
Lighting Design: Ashley Elliot
Stage Manager: Bryan Rosen
Assistant Stage Manager:  Barbara Allen
Set Construction:  Mark Harris
Publicity: Vickilyn Hussey
Box Office: Donna DiRado
On Bass: Kale Gans

Her career as a dancer began in the 1950’s in Broadway shows including, Guys and Dolls, Can, Can, Destry Rides again, and Lil’ Abner.

Dee Dee and her husband, Mark Breaux, choreographed the classic films Mary Poppins, Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music.

Dee Dee went on to choreograph Beaches with Bette Midler, Super Bowl shows, numerous TV shows and the ceremonies of the ‘84 LA Olympics.

She won an Emmy for the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty celebration. She has worked with some of the biggest stars in show business including: Julie Andrews, Bing Crosby, Billy Crystal, Cher, Michael Jackson, Robin Williams, Danny Thomas, Carol Burnett, George Burns, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner and many more.

It was her work with Dick Van Dyke that was the highlight of her career and she was responsible for Mr. Van Dyke and his family moving to Arizona where he filmed the second season of his television show.

In 1998 she received a life time achievement award at the American Choreographers award ceremonies.

Though she is now semi-retired, she still finds the time to help her local community with her expertise by directing musical productions for the Desert Foothills Theater and she is the official spokesperson for the “Celebration of Dance”, Arizona’s contribution to the National Dance Week.