“It’s such a fun show. I love doing these small shows, these little gems that people can fall in love with,” said TBT Artistic Director Jeffrey Mindock of the 1950s-era show that opened October 1 for a three-week run.

“It is just like the movie,” Mindock also said. “You have four boys singing tight harmonies, all crooning their hearts out.”

An off-Broadway musical revue written by Stuart Ross in 1990 and now performed internationally, Forever Plaid personifies the clean-cut genre of close-harmony “guy groups” from the 1950s. It features a quartet of high school chums played by TBT professional actors Todd Tuchek, Michael Hull, Matt Dornemann and Ronald Woodhead.

The Plaids, as they are known, once harbored dreams of recording an album, but those dreams were cut short in a tragic accident. Now, as the play begins, the Plaids return from the afterlife for one final chance at musical glory.

Split into two 45-minute halves, Mindock likens the musical comedy to the same type of fare people are accustomed to seeing during the summer months, but on a smaller scale. He said it still has the same high level of visual and vocal aspects.

Mindock brought in Denzel Tsopnang to serve as director and Justin Adams as music director for just this one show. He said both have been doing “absolutely wonderful work” in getting the production ready for Thursday’s opening.

“Together they have created another Thunder Bay Theatre experience that’s not from my perspective,” said Mindock, who usually directs most of the shows at TBT. “Each director has their own voice and their own way of doing things. It’s good to bring in new voices for the community to experience.”

Mindock also relied on new scenic designer/technical director Deborah Baxter to come up with the set for “Forever Plaid.”

“She’s created a beautiful ethereal 1950s sky lounge that makes you feel caught in another world, which is where these boys are with their singing and dancing,” he said.

Audiences familiar with tunes from the fifties will recognize many of the songs, including “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Love is a Many Splendored Things” and “Sixteen Tons.”

In addition to Tsopnang, Adams and Baxter, TBT’s production team includes Paige Mindock as stage manager and Colin Marshall as light/sound designer.

Directly after the first public performance on Thursday, an opening night reception will be held at the Thunder Bay Winery in the Center Building.

Other related upcoming events are Talkback Thursday following the regular performance on Oct. 8. Audience members are invited to stay afterward and discuss aspects of the show with members of the core company.

Additionally, a Late Night Cabaret will be held Oct. 9 at 10 p.m. at the John A. Lau Salon and feature musical numbers by cast members and other friends of the theater.

“There’s not much people are not going to like about ‘Forever Plaid.’ It’s effervescent. Because of the 1950s pop music, it’s nice and light and airy, and puts you in a calming place,” Mindock said. “The show is a nice way to get reintroduced back into theater for the fall.”

“Forever Plaid” runs Oct. 1-18 with show times at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For reservations, call the box office at 354-2267.