'Plaid Tidings' only mildly amusing

"PLAID TIDINGS," through Dec. 18, SCERA Showhouse, 745 S. State, Orem (801-225-2787 or www.scera.org); running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (one intermission)

OREM — Tighten things up, eliminate some dead spots and be sure your cast and crew are absolutely top-notch, and this production might become the Christmas tradition the SCERA hopes it will be.

As it is right now, SCERA's latest production, "Plaid Tidings," feels way too long and it lacks magic.

Perry Como makes a vintage appearance, which is unique, but must he sing the whole song? Rosemany Clooney calls in on her cell phone from Heaven, and Rudolph sings a bittersweet story, but the show somehow still comes off as only so-so entertainment.

It's not for lack of effort. In fact, some of the problems come from trying too hard.

The timing is forced and many of the one-liners fall flat.

It takes forever to establish why the Plaids have come back to Earth and what they are supposed to do.

Then the second act — which is the holiday show — is a hodgepodge of pretty songs and frenetic action.

To work well, this show demands really fine, seamlessly blended vocals, and though the four main characters work at it, they don't come off as a group that was headed for fame and fortune before their unfortunate demise.

Alex Lund plays Smudge, sort of a take on "M*A*S*H's" Radar; Gerrit Dunford plays Frankie; Michael Halsey plays Sparky; and Sam Dodino is Jinx. They all try hard, but the Lettermen or Kingston Trio they are not.

The success of the show rests heavily on these guys because there's nothing else in the first act except a three-piece combo playing. (The combo does very well, by the way, with Robert B. Bailey on piano, Bart Gibb on bass and Mitch Lee on drums.)

At least in the second half of the show there's some Christmas background and the Rockettes to break up the monotony.

The Rockettes are somewhat mismatched, dressed in short Santa outfits and leggings.There's a real short one and a very tall one, and it's distracting not to have them in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.

And what's with the Littlest Angel costumed in painter's overalls and a homeboy cap? And why can't he talk at all in the first half but has no problem speaking in the second?

There are some interesting moments. The handbell choir scene is successful. Some lines are quite amusing: "I see live people!"

It's a shame the pacing is so slow.

The family and friends in the audience were quite taken with the show, which is not so much a show as a revue of 29 — count 'em — 29 songs.

But as far as serious entertainment goes, this is only mildly fun.

e-mail: haddoc@desnews.com