A sweet slice of musical nostalgia: American Pie returns to popular, in-person format with large crowd

SINGER Molly Hotek fit right into the atmosphere of a grand, Throwback Thursday on stage at Judson Erne Auditorium, with her glittery, sarong Sixties dress, dark eye liner and partly teased hair.

The Columbus North High School junior and four backup vocalists covered The Shangri La’s 1964 broken-heart hit “Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand)” so a nearly full house at the venue could remember their own young love while strolling into the past.

Such was part of the sentimental draw and mystique of the 37th Annual American Pie: The Magical History Tour — Reset” concert Thursday.

“I just flung myself into this,” Hotek said, realizing that most locals have heard her sing classical or theater tunes. “I just really felt the music.”

Did she ever, with a voice chock-full of emotion and regret, and a stage presence that left some 1,000 people screaming simply when she energetically pulled the mic stand toward her in active angst.

The event that began when now-retired North social studies chairman Ed Niespodziani reached for live rock music in the classroom to interest his students in history has grown into an oversized concert/history lesson, complete with newsy nostalgia from volunteers such as narrator Karen Allen. And it’s one with pop culture references to people ranging from author Jack Kerouac to President John F. Kennedy, and one with historic references to everything from the Cold War to hot tempers over the civil rights movement.

“You’ve been away too long,” current coordinator and live band guitarist Jerry Mihay told the crowd soon after a rendition of Buddy Holly’s 1958 smash ”Peggy Sue” by student Ben Richards.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the previous two live shows were canceled in favor of truncated, streaming concerts presented on YouTube.com. While those presentations earned favorable reviews, organizers stressed that it’s hardly the same as the connection between live performers and a jazzed audience.

Plus, the latest, 23-song production featured a first: a large, live video screen behind the singers and musicians so that even those in the back rows could see clearly.

Jeff Bray, among the local adults who have performed dozens of times at American Pie, smiled when asked what brings him back repeatedly.

“Everybody wants to be a rock star,” said Bray, who sang Lighthouse’s “One Fine Morning” from 1971 with Mihay. “And for one night only, we can be.”

The students get it. Through the years, some have stepped offstage and leaped for joy or broken down weeping with happiness at conquering fears. So congratulatory high fives and hugs are as common as dancing backstage.

And, young as these students are, much of the show’s soundtrack from year to year is new to them. Except for tunes such as “Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye” from Steam in 1969. McCarty Elliott and a group of other students performed it. And yes, Elliott recognized the song from tough, taunting crowds at basketball games.

“I actually originally knew only the chorus,” Elliott said, laughing. “Then I discovered there were other words.”

Unlike most peers, Elliott mentioned that he pulls out his parents’ classic rock albums when he’s cleaning and plays them — and likes them.

For coordinator Mihay, maybe the coolest sound Thursday was the audience applause — not quite as raucous as in some years, but emphatic and appreciative all the same.

“It is truly a thing of beauty” he said, “to see everyone live and in person once again.”