Local students shine in Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Holiday Spectacular
If the words, “Take a Walk through Bethlehem” don’t mean anything to you, make this the season you join in one of the city’s most beloved traditions, Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Holiday Spectacular.
Since 2003, the Holiday Spectacular has thrilled audiences with its seamless blend of professional acting talent alongside the Company’ s 75-member youth ensemble, comprised of area children between the ages of 9 and 18.
Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Executive Director Keith Cromwell said this year’s cast includes Tam DeBolt, Amy Johnson, Belinda George Peoples, Natalie Valentine, Cameron White and Saxon Murrell, who will present a fresh script written by Abe Reybold.
“This show is written, literally created every year,” said Cromwell. “Abe always has a wonderful way of stocking the show chock full of Birminghamian-isms, so we laugh at and endear ourselves to this beloved hometown through a Holiday Spectacular written specifically for Birmingham audiences.”
He added that while much of the material is fresh and new, the show is also filled with traditional music.
“This show is created for our [local] audiences, written especially for Birmingham –it pokes fun at and revels in all that is Birmingham,” he said. “Folks will also find recognizable material, and back by popular demand is our magnificent finale – Take a Walk through Bethlehem. Who doesn’t want to see the joy in the face of a child during the holidays, hear amazing voices, see incredible dancing, and laugh? This show truly has it all.”
Red Mountain Theatre Company is one of the top ten nonprofit cultural organizations in the state of Alabama and the state’s leading Musical Theatre producer. In keeping with its core mission, Red Mountain Theatre Company focuses on transforming lives through the arts by delivering quality professional theatre productions while also providing unparalleled arts education.
In this year’s Holiday Spectacular, they’ve invited eight Hoover area students to share the stage and shine in various roles of the production. Ross Cooley, Preview, Green Valley Elementary; Jordan Graham, RMPE, Spain Park High School; Katie House, Spotlight, Brock’s Gap Elementary; Anna Morgan, Spotlight, Spain Park High School; Jazzmin Pride, Spotlight, Berry Middle School; Carmen Retzer, Spotlight, Berry Middle School; Gracie Vaughan, RMPE, Hoover High School; and Victoria Yeager, Spotlight, Berry Middle School.
“I like that it showcases our amazing youth alongside seasoned professional performers,” said Cromwell. “It makes my heart smile every year.”
For the participating students, Cromwell added that experience working alongside seasoned performers and training for the show’s performance builds lifelong interpersonal skills.
“Theatre is special in that it is a communal experience – in a society that is continually moving to less and less actual personal interface it puts an audience in a joined experience that requires us to put our phones down and enjoy actual engagement and inspire conversation,” he said.
The show runs Dec. 4- 21, and tickets are available at redmountaintheatre.org or by calling 324-2424. Prices start at $30.