Rory Dunn, shown, as Smudge is one of four men starring in “Forever Plaid,” now on stage at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre in Nappanee, through May 22.

NAPPANEE — The audience at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre in Nappanee is taken back to the 1950s as four guys return to earth and give the performance of a lifetime in the musical “Forever Plaid.”

As the show opens the guys are in heaven and the audience hears them singing, “Deus Ex Plaid.” Soon, however, they make their way back to Earth. They were on their way to their first big gig Feb. 1, 1964, when their car was slammed into by a school bus headed to the “Ed Sullivan Show.” While none of the children on the bus were hurt, all four Plaids were killed instantly. Now, they have been allowed to return to Earth and perform their concert.

The Plaids — Francis (Danny Heeter), Sparky (Carl Glenn), Jinx (Brett Mutter) and Smudge (Rory Dunn) were high school chums with a dream of becoming big stars and recording albums. They remember their routine and sing ‘50s and ‘60s tunes to the delight of the audience.

“Chain Gang,” “Sixteen Ton,” “Cry,” “Day-o,” “Moments to Remember, “Papa Loves to Mambo,” “Rags to Riches,” “Hart and Soul,” ‘Lady of Spain” and “Magic Moments,” are among the songs during the musical. The Plaids add their own dance routines and brand of comedy to each song, keeping the audience in stitches for most of the evening. Smudge has trouble telling his left from his right and is often caught going in the opposite direction of the other three. This, however, can be overlooked since their voices blend perfectly.

There is no real star in this musical — all four are featured and all four find a special place in the hearts of the audience. Their props often leave a little to the imagination, which is good. During one song, they use plungers for microphones. After all, it’s what they practiced with during the early days, using the basement at Smudge’s family’s plumbing supply company.

Before the accident they sang on the weekends. During the week one was a plumber, another a mechanic, another a dentist and Sparky was,”in better dresses.”

The audience got into the song “Matilda,” as members were ask to sing along on the chorus. For another number they pulled a young girl out of the audience to help with the piano music. Then they furnished her with a miniature piano and much to the delight of the audience assisted her in playing.

And all loved the three minutes 11 seconds it took to recreate an Ed Sullivan show. As Jinx sang, the others did a variety of quick acts from a dog (stuffed animal) jumping through a hoop to juggling plates, then scarves, to so many antics I couldn’t write them all down and wouldn’t have had room to put them all in this article anyway.

Receiving one of Perry Como’s golden cartigans, they launch into “Catch a Falling Star.”

The private functions section also charms the audience as they proclaim they will sing at any occasion. After informing the audience of this fact they launch into minute sections of such songs at “The Bride Cuts The Cake,” “Italian Wedding,” (Anniversary Waltz,” “Itty Bitty Town of Bethlehem” and “Hava Nagila.”

Go see “Forever Plaid,” you’ll enjoy it.

The show continues through May 22. Call (800) 800-4092 or visit amishacres.com for tickets or information