Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI) opens its 2025-26 season with Beehive – The 60’s Musical, a very special nostalgic journey honoring the great songs and female artists of that defining America decade. A stellar cast performs more than 30 hits from the era – with a stunning array of solo and group performances.
Sharply directed and choreographed by Carol Worcel, with polished musical direction by Brandon Vos, the six ladies of the hive – Abigail Storm, Michaela McGarel, Rachel Dudt, Riley Francis, Kira Rangel, and Kayla Perry – swing, strut, twirl, pose, and sass their way through marvelous vocalizations of what is, frankly, musical history.
From “It’s My Party” to “My Boyfriend’s Back” to “One Fine Day” and “Be My Baby” – Act One carries us through the innocent early ‘60s. Act Two features the changing feelings in the decade with “You Don’t Own Me,” “To Sir With Love,” “Proud Mary” (by Tina Turner), and “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” and on to the Woodstock era’s “Somebody to Love,” and “Cry Baby.”
These amazing songs (and many more) are given rich renditions, which result in a toe-tapping ride down memory lane, especially for everyone from my generation who attended – and there were a LOT of us!
Highlights include Ms. Rangel’s energetic Tina Turner set, followed almost immediately by her awesome turn for Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools” and “Natural Woman”; Ms. McGarel absolutely nailing Lesley Gore’s independent anthem, “You Don’t Own Me”; and Ms. Dudt leaving it all on stage with her dynamic Janis Joplin offering – “Cry Baby.” All the show’s numbers have a very special energy which is thrilling to witness. Mrs. K and I agreed this show is among the best we have seen this year.
Colorful costumes by Guy Clark, awesome wiggery by Andrew Elliot, and a multilevel, multi-colored set design by Dwayne McDevitt all add to the success of this production. The live band onstage adds to the wonderful energies we all feel in the show.
Bottom line: Ms. Worcel, Mr. Vos, and their cast have mixed together a jumpin’ jukebox of songs with everything folded in – it’s a boyfriend-needing, boyfriend-losing, loving, pining, independence-seeking marvel of talent and performance. You don’t want to miss it!
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