The Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Drive-In Theatre concert will have a holiday feel, but it won’t all be traditional.
“It’s a diverse amount of music,” ATI co-founder Cynthia Collins said. “You’ll have jazz versions of some songs. You have traditional songs. Come on, we’re going to sing ‘White Christmas’ and that will be traditional. All of Select Sound’s songs are jazz oriented.”
Collins said she and co-founders Don Farrell and Judy Fitzgerald will perform different arrangements of songs.
“There will be traditional and contemporary holiday music as well,” Collins said.
The concert is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Monon Square Shopping Center in Carmel.
“Having Carmel High School’s Select Sound perform was Judy’s idea,” Collins said. “It is always special to have young performers on the stage. They are exceptional. The group usually gets hired for different events during the Holiday season, but because of COVID, they are not doing as many gigs as usual, so we are glad we can give them this opportunity.”
Collins said the 14 members of Select Sound will wear face masks and be spread across the stage. Lizzie Farrell, daughter of Farrell and Fitzgerald, is part of Select Sound, an a cappella jazz group.
“They usually do gigs during the holiday and I don’t know if they are doing any other jobs. This might be it,” Collins said.
In addition, Duane McDevitt and his wife Michele McConnell, who are based in the New York City area, will join the ATI trio as vocalists.
“They are our friends and peers and have extensive credits to their names,” Collins said. “Michele played the role of Carlotta in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ on Broadway. She had the distinct honor of playing the role for six years, being the longest-running Carlota in Broadway history.”
Collins said McDevitt and McConnell will each perform a set in each act. They will join the ATI trio for some songs, too.
McConnell, a Mt. Vernon High School graduate who grew up in McCordsville, went to New York City to perform after graduating from Butler University.
Collins said McDevitt has performed in shows with ATI.
Since it will be colder, Collins expects attendees will stay in their cars. The concert will be presented through radio frequency in the cars. There will be a large screen for cars parked farther away. There will be a livestream of the concert for those who choose to stay at home.
“Santa Claus will make an appearance and have one reindeer with him from Silly Safari,” Collins said.
The Drive-In concert is the third ATI has attempted. The first was held Sept. 17. The second was scheduled for Oct. 23 but was canceled due to inclement weather. It was later transformed into a virtual concert.
“The livestream was just like performing in a studio, but I was glad we could do it,” Collins said. “We know that it’s going to be chilly. We just hope it doesn’t rain.”
For more, visit atistage.org.
