Carole Sorenson is a respected church musician, but for three summers now she’s gotten to channel a different music genre altogether.

“I’m just lucky enough to get to pretend that I’m in a rock and roll band until the end of July,” the pianist laughed. She’s talking about Unplugged 3, Starkville Community Theatre’s third annual musical revue, which opened Thursday. Performances continue Wednesday through Saturday, July 26-29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Playhouse on Main in downtown Starkville.

Rock, country, soul, folk — SCT serves it all up in this fundraiser to support the organization’s 2017-2018 season. A dessert reception follows each performance. Sponsored by Barbara Coats and Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, the show features 16 singers and 9 musicians recreating the music of icons ranging from James Taylor to U2.

“Come ready to let loose and have fun,” said Gabe Smith, SCT chief administrative officer. “Our musicians and singers are guaranteed to get you clapping, tapping your toes and moving in your seats. The last two Unplugged shows were big successes for us; there’s a reason we brought it back for another round.”

Sorenson is not only one of the musicians, she returns as director of the show.

“I didn’t do it all by myself,” she said. “This was a collaboration for me and John Brocato and Drew Dieckmann. They’re so talented.”

Planning the revue begins with a pool of as many as 50 to 60 songs to be winnowed down to the final set list. The end result is a showcase of numbers from artists such as Jackson Browne, the O’Jays, Elton John, Dixie Chicks and Maren Morris. It makes for an evening of “vocal belting, furious picking, thunderous drumming … ”

“It’s a great time — guaranteed,” said Smith.

On stage

Unplugged 3 singers include Isa Beaulieu, Jordan Dobbins, MJ Etua, Madeline Golden, Mickey Gousset, Audrey Hailey, Brian Hawkins, Lorraine Hughes, Jasmine Johnson, Thomas La Foe, Brenda Mayo, Teresa Ryan, Erica Smith, Ed Swan, Shannon Voges-Haupt and Lee Ann Williamson, said Smith.

Musicians are Zac Ashmore (drums/percussion), John Brocato (guitar), Vinny Brocato (drums/percussion), Anna Debicka-Dyer (violin/fiddle), Drew Dieckmann (guitar), Jamie Dyer (banjo/mandolin), Matthew Reynolds (guitar/mandolin), Sorenson (piano) and Brent Varner (bass).

Tickets are $25. Seating is limited; shows may sell out. Reservations are recommended by calling the SCT box office, open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays during the show’s run, at 662-323-6855. Playhouse on Main is located at 108 E. Main St., Starkville.

“It’s a fun night,” Sorenson said. “It’s just really quality musicians doing great music.”

Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.