Under the Streetlamp is set to illuminate the Christmas season.
The quartet that is known for its PBS television specials will perform a “Hip to the Holidays!” concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.
Featured will be songs from the vocal group’s 2012 studio album “Every Day’s a Holiday.”
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Festive times are planned in the 3,400-seat theater.
“It’s going to swing, it’s going to be a big party,” assured Under the Streetlamp member Shonn Wiley. “We’re really trying to capture that sense of joy and that sense of celebration that you have during the holidays. We may have a few special guests that will be joining us.”
Aside from strongly hinting about “some friends” hitting the stage, Wiley gave an idea of the non-holiday music that is on tap.
“You’re going to get the Four Seasons, you’re going to get Little Anthony and the Imperials,” the singer related.
Backed by a band with a horn section, the quartet also is set to dispense Christmas fare with a fresh, unconventional slant, according to Wiley, who resides in Tucson, Ariz.
“It won’t necessarily be a traditional concert where people are just standing onstage and singing some music,” Wiley said. “I tap dance.”
Wiley cited the choreographic aspects of a concert experience that is not static.
“Our show is full of movement,” assured Under the Streetlamp member Brandon Wardell. “We tell stories; we tell jokes.”
Rounded out by Eric Gutman and Christopher Kale Jones, Under the Streetlamp brings formidable entertainment experience to the Merrillville venue, where footage has been shot for the group’s PBS specials.
“I’ve done several Broadway shows,” Wardell said.
The resident of Sarasota, Fla., made his Broadway debut in James Joyce’s “The Dead” alongside Christopher Walken. Wardell’s Broadway career also includes his work in the Tony Award-winning production of “Assassins.”
In New York City, Wiley appeared in the Tony Award-winning revival of “42nd Street.” In a different kind of music production, he logged Broadway-stage work in “Dracula, the Musical.”
For his part, Gutman played several roles in the Tony and Grammy Award winning “Jersey Boys” on Broadway. He also appeared opposite Hugh Jackman in “Real Steel” (2011).
Jones, meanwhile, had a breakthrough moment in 2006 when he was cast as Frankie Valli for the first national tour of “Jersey Boys.” The work in the smash musical resulted in major television exposure for him on NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
Additionally, Under the Streetlamp has been coveted by the Public Broadcasting Service for its fundraising prowess.
“We’ve done three pledge specials,” Wardell said.
Known for a throwback sensibility, Under the Streetlamp specializes in covering vintage rock by the likes of the Everly Brothers, along with the Motown sound.
At the Star Plaza Theatre show, there will be selections from the American Radio Songbook and more, according to the venue’s website.
“You’re going to get a whole slew of holiday tunes, and not the traditional tunes like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Sleigh Bells’ and that kind of thing, but you’re going to get ‘Santa Claus is Back in Town’ and ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas,’ with a traditional doo-wop flair to the music,” Wiley noted.
Audience members who come to see Wiley and company Dec. 3 will experience “some new material” and some instrumental verve, according to Wardell.
“They’ll be getting some new songs that we’ve doing on the road,” the vocalist said. “I get to play the guitar. I do ‘Runaway’ by Del Shannon.”
Such ’60s hits are rooted in the fabric of members of Under the Streetlamp.
“I think we all have an affinity for the era of the ’50s and ’60s where rock ‘n’ roll was born,” Wardell said.
Wiley, meanwhile, thanks Northwest Indiana and the Star Plaza Theatre because of their role in fueling the success of his group.
“We kind of feel like Northwest Indiana is our home,” Wiley said.
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Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter with the Post-Tribune.
Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays!
Where: Star Plaza Theatre, 8001 Delaware Place, Merrillville
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 3
Tickets: $40-$75
Information: 219-769-6311, http://www.starplazatheatre.com