Whatever, As if! – Courtesy of Shotwell Photos. Used with permission.
Danny Kingston and ensemble in Whatever, As if! – Courtesy of Shotwell Photos. Used with permission.
I clearly recall New Year’s Eve in 1999, watching the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast from Times Square, where thousands gathered, waiting for the ball to drop and signal the arrival of a new century. That was the time of the Y2K scare, when many feared computer crashes and ensuing chaos. Fortunately, the transition to the new year went smoothly. That memory of the waning moments of the ’90s—and others from that decade—were lovingly rendered during Whatever, As If!, presented by the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus on Saturday evening at the Warren Center for the Performing Arts. Celebrating the era of its first decade, the IMC, led by Artistic Director Greg Sanders, is marking its 35th anniversary this season.
The jukebox-style concert, featuring 86 IMC singers, delivered a fast-paced mix of grunge ballads, anthems, divas, and boy bands. The multimedia show, written by Aaron Fuksa, blended elements of a concert and a 1990s-themed sitcom. His well-crafted script, filled with campy dialogue, contributed to the show’s distinctive and playful tone. The storyline—performed live and on video—featured Jared Dorotiak (Dylan), Edric Mitchell (Brandon), standout Matty Rohrer (Steve), and Matthew Hopkins (Maximus). The plot followed three friends who are sucked into a vortex and transported to antiquity, where they encounter a figure from ancient times. Together, they search for a way to escape eternal entrapment. Zach Rosing, known locally as a master videographer and photographer, created the delightfully cheesy B-movie sequences and illustrative images projected behind the chorus throughout the show.
Joseph Perkins, Jr. in Whatever, As if! – Courtesy of Shotwell Photos. Used with permission.
As for the musical program itself, standout moments emerged in the latter half of the first act, including Kiss from a Rose by Seal and Let Us Pray, Sister! —a tribute to Sister Act. Dorotiak delivered a touching performance of The Luckiest by Ben Folds during the second act, accompanying himself on piano. Bass Joseph Perkins, Jr. dazzled with his solos in a Jagged Little Pill tribute, and Leo Harris brought the house down with I’ll Cover You (Reprise) from Rent. Each soloist delivered a strong, heartfelt performance, showcasing the depth of talent within the IMC.
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), performed by the full chorus and accompanied by archival images and video sound bites of IMC founders Jim Luce and Norman Brandenstein, was a deeply emotional moment. As a former IMC singer myself (1992–1998), it left me feeling nostalgic for my own cherished years in the group.
The concert opened with a theatrical reveal of the six-piece band, led by pianist Matt Richardson, emerging from beneath the stage. Jared Norman’s artful choreography elevated the production and enhanced its professional polish.
Leo Harris and IMC in Whatever, As if! – Courtesy of Shotwell Photos. Used with permission.
Always raising the bar, the IMC once again demonstrated technical and artistic excellence, with Broadway-quality lighting design by Matthew Cunningham, sound design by Miles Hall, and costumes by Jeffery Crooks.
As someone who sang with IMC in its early days and later had the privilege of covering the group as a journalist, I remain deeply proud to witness how it continues to build bridges and create space for LGBTQ+ voices. “This show is a love letter to the ’90s, but also to the roots of our organization,” said Sanders, in a press release. “We’re celebrating where we came from, how far we’ve come, and the joy of singing together through every generation.”
At a time when diversity and inclusiveness are under attack, and inclusion has become a cultural flashpoint, the IMC continues to be a beacon of hope—one that changes hearts and minds through the transformative power of music.
