Totally far out: ShenanArts presents concert of songs from 1980s

Grab your boombox, fishnet stockings, boots and leg warmers, because ShenanArts is taking audiences back to the decade of loud everything.

The launch of MTV, music videos, the teen movie, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, girl bands and hair bands are reminiscent of a decade you either lived and loved or you missed out on.

But, “The Totally Awesome 80s Concert” will transport audiences back to the 1980s on Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12. The decade of Blondie, AC/DC and Whitney Houston is the main character in a show that is not a theatrical production, but a showcase of local singers.

“Growing up during that time, we do romanticize it a little bit, but there was something special about it, I think,” said ShenanArts Artistic Director Matt Parrish, who created the concert idea as an option between theater productions. A self professed “80s nerd,” Parrish was born in 1980 and fondly remembers the music, movies, cartoons and breakfast cereal of the decade.

Earlier in 2025, ShenanArts produced a similar concert with Broadway songs which was well received.

“Since then, we’ve talked about doing another one,” Parrish said.

As local talent auditioned for the concert, Parrish said he and director Jeff McDaniel allowed them to choose the songs they would perform.

“We want people to feel like they’re at an 80s concert so theme, I guess, is just fun and the atmosphere you might have if you turned back the clock.”

Twenty-two local singers of all ages will showcase solo songs, three duets and two ensemble performances along with a few surprises.

“We want people to feel like they’re back in the 80s,” Parrish said.

Parrish said he hopes the concert brings back fond memories for audience members.

“I hope they hear some songs that they haven’t heard in a while or thought about in a while and, mostly, I just hope that they have fun,” Parrish said.

Jai Robinson of Stuarts Draft last appeared in a theater production at ShenanArts in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was scheduled to appear in a 2020 production about Hank Williams Jr. and Patsy Cline but the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the show. A 1990 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Robinson has performed in a gospel group and other bands as an adult singer and drums and keyboard player.

“This is going to be amazing,” Robinson said of ShenanArts’ 80s show. He said he loves everything about the 1980s.

Robinson will perform in group numbers this weekend, sing solos of AC/DC‘s “You Shook Me All Night Long” and Prince‘s “Purple Rain” and will perform Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller” in a duet with Terrace Rios.

“If I can be truthful, I hope that it brings people to the fact that it doesn’t matter what you look like, music speaks to people,” Robinson said.

Evie Culbertson, 15, is a rising sophomore at Staunton High School, who will perform Lauper’s iconic girl anthem “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

“I was familiar with [the song]. I didn’t have it quite memorized, though, so I made sure when I got my part in the concert that I memorized the lyrics,” Evie said.

Audiences previously saw Evie as child “Alison” in “Fun Home” at ShenanArts. She also performed in Staunton High’s production of “Chicago” in April. Evie said she hopes to attend college for theater and pursue a career in theater.

“I, honestly, just hope that everyone has fun. I think this concert is mostly just a fun concert,” Evie said. She hopes audience members are excited and that hearing her sing Lauper’s song makes them happy.

Audience members are totally encouraged to attend in their favorite 1980s attire and accessories.

ShenanArts is at 300 Churchville Ave., Staunton. Tickets are available online.