Guitarist Jerry Mihay performs during the 2019 version of American Pie: The Magical History Tour.
The Republic file photo
The annual “American Pie: The Magical History Tour” combination history lesson and rock concert performed mostly by local high schoolers will return to an in-person format in April at Judson Erne Auditorium, 1400 25th St. in Columbus.
Coordinator Jerry Mihay, a Columbus North High School government and U.S. history teacher and also a longtime guitarist for the event’s professional backing band, also pointed out that the event that often has sold out through the years is returning to its original Thursday evening scheduling, and beginning 15 minutes earlier than normal, at 6:30 p.m. for an earlier finish to the evening.
“This — everybody getting together — is what it’s all about,” Mihay said of the event often thick with exuberance and other emotion.
Tickets are expected to go on sale at North on about April 20.
In 2020 and 2021, Mihay worked with others such as North media adviser Rachel McCarver and her students to produce a taped, abbreviated, online version of the show because the COVID-19 pandemic prevented holding a large gathering.
Because this year will mark the return of the presentation before a live audience, which usually includes local students grooving and dancing near the stage, Mihay said the theme will be “Reset.” The 22-song setlist will open with a 1958 Buddy Holly tune and close with the 1981 festive Kool and the Gang tune “Celebrate.”
“We’re really kind of starting over in a manner of speaking,” Mihay said.
Mihay is purposely working to keep the event shorter than in the past when it sometimes stretched for more than three hours. He mentioned that that is important because the bulk of the approximate 1,000 ticket buyers are older residents, including relatives of mostly student performers, who prefer a shorter time frame.
Former North history teacher and social studies chairman Ed Niespodziani launched the concert as a way to interest students in history. It intersperses historical narration through the years with tunes that fit a topic. For instance, in the past when the Vietnam War was broached by Niespodziani or another narrator, the next song performed would be an anthem such as Country Joe and the Fish’s classic “Vietnam Song.”
If the topic has been 1960s women’s liberation or women’s rights, a student would perform a number such as Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman.” Many ticket buyers have reacted with surprise and over-the-top enthusiasm at student portrayals of legendary artists ranging from Madonna to Elvis. Also, others have been impressed at the vocal quality and confidence of teens performing a solo in many cases for the first time for a crowd this large.
Some vocalists have finished their songs to a wild, raucous ovation and then slipped backstage to weep with joy. Others have been so nervous beforehand that they have scrawled song lyrics on their hands to battle forgetfulness and stage fright.
Originally, the presentation was held in Niespodziani’s classroom until student interest expanded it to the auditorium. Niespodziani retired from coordinating the gathering after the 2019 event and turned it over to Mihay.
