By John Lyle Belden

Actors Theatre of Indiana is buzzing again with the sound of a “Beehive” musical, opening its season with “Never Can Say Goodbye,” remembering the music of the 1970s.

Five of the six women from last year’s “Beehive: The ‘60s Musical” return: Rachel Dudt, Riley Francis, Michaela McGarel, Kayla Perry, and Kira Rangel, joined by Deborah Mae Hill, who was featured in last season’s “Sunset Boulevard” at ATI. Carol Worcel again directs, with musical direction by Ginger Stoltz.

Taking inspiration from the prior musical by Larry Gallagher, this edition is by Fred Stuart with George Luton. While the song selection for this revue gives emphasis to female performers, some songs – originally recorded by men – still feel like ones your Mom (or grandmother) sang along to with the radio back in the day. Whatever the source, as soon as you hear these hits, you can’t help but think of the era they came from.

To help put everyone in the Beehive mood, the ladies revisit the “Name Game” – with a bit  more funk. They take on various aspects of 1970s sound, from the country-rock feel of Linda Ronstadt to the punky pop of Blondie. For the mellow side, there’s a mashup of “First Time Ever I saw Your Face” and “You Light Up My Life” which works nicely.

At the end of the first act comes an excellent tribute to the classic rock band Heart, in which guitarist Bryan Hedrick steps forward into the fog-bathed spotlight. Worcel said this took some persuading, as the musicians prefer to stay in the background, but it came off great. And by the combined power and harmony of the women’s voices, they managed to evoke the legendary vocals of Ann Wilson.

The Beehive band, led by Stoltz, also included Gisele Dollinger, Chloe McManallen, Dave Paulson, Neil Broeker, Christian Starnes, Matt Greven, and Greg Wolff.

The second half of the show ranged from Motown to Country to Disco – as well as the “ooga-chaka” version of “Hooked on a Feeling” – with a couple of instances of bringing an audience member into the act.

Worcel noted after opening night that this was very much a collaborative effort to bring these songs so wonderfully to life. Aside from the cast, and Stoltz and the musicians, she acknowledged stage managers Nina J.S. Ludwick and Hadleigh Pierce.

An excellent evening (or Sunday matinee) of music and memories with an infectious feeling of funky fun, “Never Can Say Goodbye: The 70’s Beehive Musical” is in its second weekend, running through Sept. 20 in The Studio Theater of the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. For info and tickets, visit atistage.org or thecenterpresents.org.