‘Forever Plaid’ left to ponder life after Flamingo

Friday, Dec. 15, 2000 | 9:34 a.m.

There's nothing black or white about the future of "Forever Plaid," whose contract is not being renewed by the Flamingo Las Vegas.

The musical will close Feb. 28 after six years and more than 3,570 performances at Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre, to be replaced by the "Second City" improvisational group

The popular "Plaid" show has not found another place to hang its jackets, but producer Richard Martini says, "Several (properties) are interested on the Strip. I'm confident it won't leave Vegas. It should not be leaving this town."

Martini also was producer of "The Great Radio City Spectacular," which closed at the Flamingo earlier this year and was replaced by the shows "The Best of Bottoms Up" and "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus."

"Radio City" did not find a new local venue.

But Martini said "Forever Plaid" does so well -- at least 70- to 80-percent capacity for most performances -- he is confident someone will give it a home.

"It's a well-known property. It's not starting from scratch," he said.

Martini said he was shocked when he received a letter about three weeks ago from Randy Sears, the Flamingo's vice president of marketing, informing him that the contract would not be renewed.

"I thought we were still in negotiations," Martini said recently, speaking by phone from his New York office.

Sears said he is surprised that Martini wasn't expecting the letter.

"I had meetings with Mr. Martini and I asked him, 'Do you want to make a new proposal for another run?' and his proposal was for three years under the same deal," Sears said. "I told him I wasn't sure we wanted to extend it three years.

"After the initial five years, we extended it for one year. We were in tune to a year-by-year basis, not a three-year run when it might lose its legs in the middle."

A similar decision was made with "Radio City," which featured the Rockettes dancers, Sears said.

"The Rockettes lost its legs in the middle of a five-year run and we weren't prepared to be stuck like that again," he said. "If he had been willing to come back with a four-wall or modified four-wall (lease) we would have looked at it, but he never came back.

"Meanwhile 'Second City' came up with a good proposal. (Martini) knew we had been negotiating with 'Second City.' Originally we were looking at (the two shows) sharing the room, but (Martini) didn't want to make any concessions."

Sears said "Forever Plaid" has always done well, and even did a little better when "Radio City" left.

"We increased the advertising on 'Forever Plaid' and the show (audience) counts kicked up," he said.

Sears said, "I don't blame him for not wanting to share the room."

Martini said four-walling, in which his company would rent the room and pay all expenses, was the only issue that bothered him.

"To me, if the hotel is not at some sort of risk, they are not going to get behind (the show)," He said.

He said "Forever Plaid" was bringing people into the casino who otherwise would not be there.

"The majority (of our audiences) are from outside, as far as we can determine. There should be some consideration for that," he said.

The producer said he believes the change in entertainment philosophy began when Park Place bought the Flamingo last year.

"The new management doesn't want to guarantee anything," Martini said.

Stuart Ross, who wrote "Forever Plaid" and is the show's director, said he was stunned when he learned the show would be leaving the Flamingo.

"It happened so fast," he said. "I was a little upset. You like to think things will last forever. But as long as we keep the momentum going and don't stop performing, so that people won't forget us, I think we'll be alright."

Allen McMullen, stage manager for "Forever Plaid," said when rumors started flying last month about the possible closing of the show, there was some anxiety among cast and crew, but by the time the official announcement was made everyone had adapted to the idea.

"Now that we know its definite, we're free to proceed with other offers and we feel very positive," McMullen said.