New Production Company Debuts 'Forever Plaid' at River's Edge Theatre

Information from Heart and Soul Productions:

Heart and Soul Productions, co-produced by Ross and Elizabeth Wheeler, is debuting Forever Plaid, a musical featuring a four-part harmony group singing songs from the 50s and 60s, at River’s Edge Theatre in downtown Yorkville.

The mission of Heart and Soul Productions differs from other local theatre companies because it hires professional actors to perform in their shows. This has attracted both Chicago and local talent for this production. The cast includes Jeff Heider (originally from Ottawa), Kyle Cassady (new to Streator after working as a New York actor), and Eliseo Martinez (from Aurora), as well as Chris Walsh, a Chicago actor. 

Artistic director, Ross Wheeler, is no stranger to Forever Plaid. He’s performed the show over 900 times in Chicago and Las Vegas. In fact, he met his wife when he worked for the Chicago company.

“I met Ross when I was working as an assistant house manager at the theatre,” Elizabeth saiid in a press release. “Fast forward ten years, and here we are in Yorkville starting our own company! We chose Forever Plaid as our first production because it’s a feel-good show for all ages, but also because of what the show means to us. There’s something beautiful and innocent about this show, and we’re excited to share it with Yorkville.”

Heart and Soul Productions will launch four shows a year, one in the winter and three in the summer. It promises to produce only professional quality theatre.

Forever Plaid is playing one weekend only, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 16 at 3 p.m.

Tickets for Forever Plaid can be purchased for $25 at riversedgetheatre.com. Call to make sure seating is still available.