By Renee Larr
On Aug. 29, the Nickel Plate Players will be performing its juke box musical with a local touch, Heartlight, at 8 p.m. at the Fishers Amphitheater. The musical show was created especially for the city of Fishers by NPP co-founder, Ashton Wolf.
Heartlight follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of an aspiring musical artist, Amy Parrish, who enters an American Idol-style competition. While the musical competition only allows covers, Parrish writes her own song and performs it much to the chagrin of the show’s producers.
“The gist of the show is this…this is a covers only contest but she makes it to the finals. All the while she’s a singer/songwriter. She says if I make it to the finals I’m going to sing a song I wrote,” said Wolf.
The show was co-written by Wolf and Darren Willis, and takes place in Fishers.
“The show actually takes place in Fishers. I thought it would be fun to make it Fishers-centric. I thought it would be nice to use people in the community within the show,” said Wolf.
Parrish examines other successful singer/songwriters to find her heartlight.
“The idea is that Parrish is a singer/songwriter and she’s looking to discover that magical hook. Or, what I like to call the heartlight, which has to do with what inspires her and what makes a great song. She goes to this club to witness and analyze all these great songs written by singer/songwriters. There is Elton John, Billy Joel, Carole King and so on,” said Wolf.
The show even includes a patriotic song written just for Fishers and Hamilton County.
“I wrote specifically for our community in mind,” said Wolf.
The show is free to attend. Guests can bring blankets, food and beverages to enjoy during the performance. For more information, visit nickelplateplayers.com.
