Zoot suits, top hats, canes and art deco will festoon the stage Sunday afternoon at Stephens Auditorium. Lorie Line is coming back to town and this year, her Christmas show will take audiences back to the ’50s and ’60s.

“The ’50s and ’60s are really in right now; and they are such beautiful fashions,” says Line, pianist and executive producer of the show.

Line has been to Central Iowa several times in recent years, both in Des Moines and Ames.

The process of doing a completely new show each year starts in January, Line says. Her ideas come from current trends in society; Line says she looks at lots of magazines and ads.

“I look at a lot of fashion trends and architecture trends as well,” Line says.

Once she has locked down an idea, Line says it takes the rest of the year to put it together into a successful show. As executive producer of the show, Line is involved with decisions regarding every aspect of the show — from the score to graphic design.

“It takes me a whole year to plan, create and construct,” Line says. “There’s a new set and over 200 costumes.”

Line says she is particularly excited about the costumes this year. Her show is often noted for its elaborate custom-made dresses, she says, and this year will be no exception.

“I wanted to have the Jackie O. and Marilyn-style dresses,” Line says. “They are so classical and timeless.”

However, getting into costume comes at the end of a long list of preparation and rehearsal work. “A Christmas Classique” began rehearsing during Line’s spring tour. This show was rehearsed more than any other because they are working with a new choreographer, she says.

“We started learning the choreography on the spring tour,” Line says. “We always learn the choreography first.”

Line says this show came together easier than some in the past because she wasn’t recording a new album during the process.

“Since I was just focusing on the show and a song book, I had a little bit more time to figure it all out,” Line says.

Line’s pop chamber orchestra consists of 12 people. Most of whom, she says, have been with her for more than 10 years. Besides her orchestra, Line says she also travels with her own concert grand piano, custom made by Yamaha.

Line says the style of the music will be in keeping with the ’50s and ’60s theme.

“There is a lot of big-band style music in the show, but also some chamber and more intimate piano solo moments as well,” Line says.

The show will consist of all Christmas music, except for a small Americana portion, she says.

Two old traditions are also being brought back this year, Line says: the piano medley and reading fan mail.

Line says during the piano medley, fans shout out songs they want to hear and then she sits down at the piano and works them into a medley on the spot.

“I just felt it was time to bring it back. Fans always loved that part of the show,” Line says. “When you don’t put it in [the show] for a few years, people miss it and are twice as excited.”

For the other tradition, Line picks out one piece of fan mail she received throughout the year and reads it aloud during the concert. She says this year’s letter came via e-mail.

Line says she believes the three full weeks of rehearsing and four full dress rehearsals have paid off.

“I think it’s the prettiest show we’ve ever put on the stage,” Line says.

“It’s come together really well for us.”

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What: A Christmas Classique

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 3 p.m., Sunday

Cost: $29.50-$46.50