`Plaid Tidings' serves up holiday nostalgia.

Byline: Alan Beck For The Register-Guard

You may THINK Der Bingle is the true voice of Christmas, but as the Plaids will insist, Bing Crosby was just a one-hit wonder compared to their own yuletide idol Perry Como.

Prepare to be Como-ized.

Yes, the nerdish and nave boys are back in town, materialized again from the ectoplasm from who-knows-where.

But this time out, the four lads can't quite figure out why they've been returned.

In Stuart Ross' original "Forever Plaid," the four crooners return to Earth to fulfill their dream of finally giving that professional stage debut - the one that was suddenly canceled by that big booking agent in the sky when their car was fatally broadsided by a bus.

In this new reincarnation that opened Friday night at the Actors Cabaret of Eugene, Ross has the Plaids take all of Act I to finally understand their holiday mission (thanks in no small part to the mysterious and amusing clues provided by Rosemary Clooney), and all of Act II to deliver a sack full of traditional Christmas spirit.

As the Plaids would say, "Forget your troubles, come on get sappy!"

With "Plaid Tidings," ACE, now in its 30th season, is definitely emphasizing the cabaret in Actors Cabaret: four stools, four mikes, four better than average voices and plenty of sap.

This same quartet is fresh from a very successful run of the original "Forever Plaid" at Cottage Theatre this past August.

Back as Smudge is Don Kelley, also serving as director again, as well as providing all of the recorded solo piano backup music.

Rob Rudeen as Frankie and Earl Ruttencutter as Sparky come through again with deft tenor and baritone harmonies with a high quotient of humor

And Gerald Walters as Jinx delivers the high ends, both vocally and emotionally.

Rudeen's Frankie also shows off some impressive acting chops with his revelations of just how much the Plaids have in common with poor Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the underlying horror of Frosty the Snowman and the Big Brother aspects of someone who "knows when you're awake."

There's a good deal of clever new material for the guys to chew on, but "Plaid Tidings" also manages to hang on to some of the highest highlights of the original.

You'll still marvel at that delicious 3-minute, 11-second frenetic version of "The Ed Sullivan Show."

And the Plaids still get a chance to go Calypso, but with an around-the-world Christmas flavor from Italy and Ireland to the Islands and Israel.

The foursome, under the choreography of Michael Watkins, has toned down their synchronized finger snaps and arm gestures, but all are now better connected to the lyrics. And there's some must-see, new leg movements this time around.

While this show is mostly a selfless Christmas gift for the audience, the Plaids do get to fulfill another big dream for themselves: their own TV Christmas special.

And that leads to quite a nice turntable scenic shift from designer Joe Zingo.

So, don't cry, don't pout.

This is a show for kids from one to 92 ... and that means you!

The harmonies are tight, the energy unflagging, the nostalgia a refreshing break from the Grinch-ness that often overtakes us during the holiday season.

Secret reason to go?

The surprise (and surprising) appearance on stage of Perry Como thanks to the magic of videotape. It's a golden opportunity for the Plaids and all of us to sing along with the original sweater man himself, the true voice of Christmas.

Alan Beck, a member of the American Theatre Critics Association, reviews theater for The Register-Guard.

Play review Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings When: 8 p.m. Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13; 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 Where: Actors Cabaret of Eugene, 996 Willamette St. Tickets: $19; $16 restricted view; $35.95 dinner seating; and $32.95 for brunch on Sundays (683-4368)