Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus — Attraction in Birmingham

I went to the Holiday Spectacular at the new theatre for the first time after seeing it at the Cabaret in the past, and I have to say, I’m so disappointed in what the show has turned into. I’m only writing this after seeing a bunch of other people share their own frustrations, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more. This show has lost everything that made it special.

The old theatre had such a vibrant energy. I’ll never forget the Heat Miser and Snow Miser number — they completely transformed the stage with bold colors, either red or blue, and the costumes were out of this world. Snow Miser had this amazing icicle nose, and Heat Miser wore this incredible flame wig that was just perfect. The stage matched the energy — it was bright, fun, and full of life. It wasn’t just a show, it was an experience. But now? Everything’s just grey. The costumes are dull, and the stage is this cold, flat blue. It’s like they took all the energy and fun out of it.

And the songs? There was one "funny" football song that could have been a highlight, but it was impossible to even enjoy because the rest of the show just felt so heavy. The songs were all about the "feelings" of the holidays — sadness, nostalgia, and longing — when it should have been a celebration of the season. The joy that used to fill the show is completely gone. It’s like they forgot that Christmas is supposed to be fun and festive.

I’ll give the finale some credit — it’s still great, and that’s the only part of the show that really felt like the old magic. But the rest? It was honestly unbearable. The whole thing left me feeling drained instead of excited for the holidays. It’s such a shame to see what this show has become, and I really hope they bring back the heart and soul it...

In Birmingham and looking for something to do. Saw the Matilda advertisement on TV and thought well community theatre, it might be fun. Having seen Matilda in London last year, we weren’t expecting much. A bunch of kids with their families making up most of the audience. We could not have been more wrong. First the theatre, it was small, which was good, we had been to Broadway touring performances in Atlanta where good seats are almost impossible to get outside of third party online hawkers like Ticketmaster so sitting in the stratosphere is not unusual. At this theatre I can honestly say there was not a bad seat in the house. We were in the 4th row from the back on the aisle and could not have been happier. The stage look nice, not as elaborate as London, but we didn’t expect it to be. Then the curtain came up. This performance compared very favorably to our London experience and in some ways we liked it better. The set was very good, but the acting and vocal performances were fantastic. I have never seen a community group perform to this level of professionalism. But that was not all, the dance choreography was unbelievable considering the large number of children involved. Nearly flawless execution with the timing and coordination that made you forget you were in Birmingham and made you wonder, as you left the theatre, how New York had gotten so small. So if you are in Birmingham and want to see a great show at a venue that gives you a great viewing experience, then check the website to see what is playing at the Red Mountain Theatre Company, you won’t be...

I am deeply disappointed with what The Holiday Spectacular has become. My family of six and I have attended for the past eight years, and it used to be a highlight of our holiday season. However, for the past two years, we’ve been questioning whether it’s even worth returning. Sadly, this year confirmed our doubts. The new direction has stripped away all the creativity, energy, and joy that made this show special.

The cabaret once sparkled with vibrant costumes, playful wigs, and familiar Christmas songs that brought the audience to life. Now, Roy Lightner’s attempt at a “sentimental” and “underground” show feels heavy, humorless, and downright depressing. My family wasn’t just disappointed by the overwhelming focus on seasonal depression—we were frustrated. I even spoke with some parents of the children in the cast, and they admitted it was difficult to sit through.

In the past, the show kept us engaged and excited for each new number. This year, it dragged on with endless solos and a lack of dynamic storytelling. The attempt to mix humor with seasonal depression completely failed. The comedic moments felt forced and awkward, and the overall tone was dreary and lifeless.

If The Holiday “Spectacular” continues to be this colorless and joyless, we won’t be returning next year. My family, and many others I’ve spoken to, have had enough. Please bring back the creativity, energy, and festive spirit that made this show worth attending. Right now, it’s anything but...