Academy of rock

Katie Chappell wasn’t born when little Stevie Wonder burst onto the music scene in the early 1960s and went on to become a major recording artist.

That doesn’t mean that the Huntington Beach High School senior isn’t familiar with the soulful sounds Wonder created in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” in 1970.

Matt Kollar wasn’t around when Paul McCartney’s “Jet” topped the music charts, but the Huntington Beach senior has learned the intricacies and lyrics of the hit released by the former Beatle in 1973.

Chappell and Kollar will work their versions of those two songs tonight when Retrofest 2006 takes to the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Their renditions are just two of 28 classic ‘60s and ‘70s songs featured in the one-night-only performance by a cast of more than 70 students, 40 dancers and technical crew from the school’s commercial recording arts department and Academy for the Performing Arts, as well as guest musicians from the Golden West College jazz band’s horn section.

The two-hour, two-act event will be held in the 800-seat Huntington Beach Historic Theater on the Huntington Beach High campus.

Jamie Knight, program director of the recording arts department and co-producer with Mike Simmons of Retrofest 2006, said the show has nearly sold out. Again.

Last year’s inaugural Retrofest had a television broadcast feel to it, much like the televised music variety programs from the 1960s, complete with an applause sign.

“Last year we had great success with our first show, and it was a wonderful feeling,” Knight said. “The students were amazing and really displayed their varied talents, and the standing-room-only crowd really had a great time.

“It was our trial run, so to speak, but it was magical. We were the underdog, and we wanted to show what we could do as a program. But this year, we’ve come back bigger and better.”

Knight describes the commercial recording arts department as “School of Rock meets Huntington Beach High School.” He took over the program, which was started during the 2001-02 school year by Craig Jensen, three years ago. The program, Knight said, is designed to help aspiring musicians develop the “artistic, technical and business skills” needed to succeed in the entertainment industry.

“After I had settled into the role of program director, APA came to me and wanted me to do a main stage show,” Knight said. “I thought, wouldn’t it be cool to stage a recreation of vintage 1960s shows like Shindig and Hullabaloo. That’s how Retrofest came about.”

“Shindig” was a prime-time television rock music show that featured live performances by the top music acts of the early ‘60s. “Hullabaloo” was a lot like “Shindig” and ran briefly in the mid-1960s. Both shows captured performances by the best up-and-coming rock bands and soul performers, including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Otis Redding, the Beach Boys and James Brown.

Knight said that last year’s Retrofest was one of the favorite musical moments of his career. One highlight of that show was having Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean fame sing the duo’s hit, “Surf City.”

The multimedia show is all about displaying the talents of the students. They have input as to what songs they’d like to include in the show, although Knight says he assigns what songs the students will perform.

Chappell, a singer-songwriter, is a senior in the Academy of the Performing Arts. In addition to being the featured vocalist on “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” she’ll also sing backup on Major Lance’s “The Monkey Time.” She’s one of nine seniors who have been with Knight since he took over the commercial recording arts department three years ago and who will perform the final number of the show, the O’Jays’ “Love Train.”

“The commercial recording arts program has really evolved since last year’s show,” the 17-year-old Chappell said. “We’ve got a lot of new talent and amazing people. We’ve been able to rehearse and play on new guitar stations, keyboard, drum set and computers the program has received. It’s such an adrenaline rush to put on a show like this.”

Kollar, 18, will have his hand in several aspects of tonight’s production. The multitalented musician said he’ll play keyboard on nearly half of the songs and serve as co-host with Lilly Frandsen.

“To perform these songs in front of a huge audience is an amazing experience,” the senior said. “Last year, we proved that we could stage something like this. This year, we’re taking the show to a whole new level.”

When planning Retrofest 2006 with Simmons, Knight said the idea was to keep some of the elements of the original show, like the big concert sound, light and video screens, as well as collaborate with the Academy of the Performing Arts dance department and the show’s choreographer, Diane Makas-Weber. Last year’s production told a musical story “chronologically,” Knight said. Tonight’s show will delve into five musical genres: the British Invasion, 1960s regional American music, 1970s classics, Glam/Art rock and soul.

One of tonight’s featured guest performers is successful solo artist Jeff Foskett, a former member of the Beach Boys’ touring band and current member of the Brian Wilson band, Knight said.hbi.06-performers-1-CPhotoInfoLS1PKT3820060406ix80jsknPHOTOS BY JAMIE FLANAGAN / INDEPENDENT(LA)Kenny Howes, who is assisting with musical production in the upcoming show ‘Retrofest’ at Huntington Beach High School, rehearses with students Monday.hbi.06-performers-2-CPhotoInfoLS1PKT3F20060406ix80khkn(LA)Director Jamie Knight, on guitar at far right, rocks out with Huntington Beach High School students in the music building Monday during rehearsal for their upcoming show ‘Retrofest.’