Can I start this review by saying that I’m usually a Scrooge about Christmas carols, Christmas decorations, and everything about Christmas? I celebrated Christmas as a child, and it was always the unhappiest day of the year. However, as I looked into the darkness of this cold winter, I was ready to re-evaluate the holiday. Enter Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue at the Baltimore Center Stage, created by Nygel D. Robinson and Ken-Matt Martin, a new hand-clapping, stand-up-and-praise, sing-along, joyful new holiday production in downtown Baltimore. The impressive State Theater of Maryland, home to the Baltimore Center Stage, is delightfully decorated. The lobby is Instagram-ready (and lots of folks were taking advantage of it on opening night) with electric trains, Christmas trees, oversized red velvet wingback chairs, and an old-fashioned postal box for letters to Santa. However, as warmth and cheer spread through the halls, I actually became worried — what if I hate this show? What if they know I am an imposter, showing up to review holiday songs that I would not allow to be played in my home? I hurried to my seat past all the festive theatergoers. Melody A. Betts in ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue. Photo by J Fannon Photography. The revue opened with Robinson at a grand piano, playing an overture of holiday standards, in a mix of classical, jazz, soul, and then a smile, and a turn, and we were off to a driving Motown sound. He was good. He was better than good as he tilted his head and let himself smile widely at the audience. He was inviting us in. We were all welcome.  What I would soon learn was that this would be a joyful and holy night. As noted in the playbill by Davon Williams, the revue’s dramaturg, Motown was always about more than music. “When Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in 1959, he did so with the belief that Black music should be heard, honored, and shared on a global scale. The Motown sound, with its driving basslines, lush harmonies, syncopated handclaps, and melodies that lived in the body as much as the ear, reshaped the American soundscape. What was once dismissed as ‘race music’ became the joyful heartbeat of a nation in motion.” While I wished some of this music history was more apparent in the revue, the music was front and center, introducing young audiences to the Motown sound and reminding everyone else why it still makes us move. At Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue, three powerhouse singers perform alongside Nygel D. Robinson, who also sings: Melody A. Betts, Catrina Brenae, and Quincy Vicks.  Highlights included Betts’ opening number. She swept onstage in a glamorous gown, singing, “What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?” by the Emotions. This was soon followed by another soulful holiday classic about chestnuts roasting on an open fire —  “The Christmas Song,” by Nat King Cole — sung by Brenae. A sampling of Motown moves was next on display with Vicks grooving across the stage to Motown stylings. His moves were mirrored by many in the audience, even as their younger counterparts looked on in awe.  One of the highlights was a sneak preview of Robinson’s work-in-progress, Charmed, about a misfit reindeer at the North Pole. These newly composed songs, with musical nods to “Rick James and Michael Jackson,” are destined to be new holiday classics. Watch for Charmed coming soon to the Baltimore Center Stage. TOP LEFT: Melody A. Betts, Quincy Vicks, and Catrina Brenae; TOP RIGHT: Nygel D. Robinson; ABOVE LEFT: Quincy Vicks; ABOVE RIGHT: The Ensemble, in ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue. Photos by J Fannon Photography. While most of the show was lighthearted and filled with upbeat holiday classics, there was a moment where it was recognized that we were all privileged to be in this beautiful theater while there were those not far without homes, food, or hope, and all four voices joined in to a meaningful and gorgeous rendition of “I’ll Be There,” by the Jackson 5. When you go, be prepared for some audience participation in a how-to-dance-to-Motown segment. Be prepared for joyful call-and-response moments, especially in the powerhouse renditions by Betts in the second act. Be ready for a rotation of special guests from local churches to share songs of holy and joyful praise (shout out to the members of Bethel AME in Baltimore on Saturday, December 6). And lastly, be ready for a Motown-inspired, bring-down-the-house encore of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Special note must also be made of the musicians who performed on stage alongside Robinson and Vicks, who alternated on the piano and electronic piano, respectively. Francis A. Carroll, a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Army Band, rocked as did Bryant “Deuce” Thomas II on bass. Credit must also go to Martin (co-creator/co-director/co-choreographer) and Victor Musoni (co-director/co-choreographer) for the smooth moves and, along with Robinson, the even smoother emotional arc of this production. Fun, solemnity, holy praise, and then big joy/celebration all in one night are presented by Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue.  I left the warmth of the theater, holding onto the joy like a gift. Thank you. And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.  Running Time: 85 minutes, plus a 15-minute intermission. Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue plays through January 4, 2026, at Baltimore Center Stage, 700 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD. For tickets ($10–$70, with senior and student discounts available), call the box office at (410) 332-0033 (Tuesday through Friday, noon–5 pm), email [email protected], or purchase them online.  The program is online here. Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue.  CASTMelody A. BettsCatrina BrenaeNygel D. RobinsonQuincy Vicks  CREATIVE TEAMCo-Creators: Ken-Matt Martin and Nygel D. RobinsonCo-Directors: Ken-Matt Martin and Victor MusoniLighting Designer: Levi J. WilkinsCo-Sound Designers: Jeremiah Davison and Eric DensonAssociate Choreographer: Jules MoralesStage Manager: Luisa TorresAssistant Stage Manager: Makayla BecklesProduction Assistant: Tyrell Stanley The post A joyful and holy night in ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue’ appeared first on DC Theater Arts. ...read more read less