By Dave Parsons
On a magical December evening, the Capitol Theater in Wheeling, West Virginia, played host to the Motortown Allstars Christmas Spectacular. This joyous event brought the infectious energy of Motown classics together with the warmth and wonder of holiday music. The Motortown Allstars, a celebrated ensemble of vocalists and musicians, delivered a show-stopping performance that turned the theater into a festive dance floor, brimming with nostalgia and holiday spirit.
The Capitol Theater, a historic theater in Wheeling, West Virginia, provided the perfect setting for the show. The stage was adorned with a decorated Christmas tree on either side, and a Motown sign that set the tone—a blend of elegance and vibrant energy.
The Motortown Allstars are a tribute ensemble composed of former members of legendary Motown groups such as The Temptations, The Edsels and The Miracles. Together, they keep the spirit of Motown alive, blending powerhouse vocals, tight harmonies, and electrifying choreography. This Christmas Spectacular showcased not only their vocal prowess but also their ability to connect with the audience.
The show opened with some Christmas classics, Sleigh Ride, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow and Winter Wonderland. That’s the point where the walk down memory lane started and Motown classics such as Tears of A Clown, Second Hand Emotion, and Tracks of My tears, really got the crowd into it.
The Motortown Allstars then started mixing well known Christmas songs with well known Motown hits. White Christmas morphed with Tracks of My Tears, and My Girl morphed with I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. It’s not an easy feat to pull off!
The performers’ dynamic interaction with the crowd made these classics feel as fresh as ever, and the excitement carried over to a tribute medley to the legendary women of Motown. They followed this with a tribute medley to the Spinners, and a sing along of Christmas classics to end the first set. Yes, that was only one set!!!
The second set opened with another tribute medley with classic Motown songs, followed by some slower Christmas classics, allowing members of the quartet a chance to be solo in the spotlight. It was hard to believe how many songs kept coming, and the audience was loving every minute of it.
The finale was a medley featuring songs like the Jackson’s 1,2,3, The Four Tops, I’ll Be There, and a mashup of Do You Love Me and Shout! For the encore, the ensemble did a mash up of Da Doo Ron Ron and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Behind the stellar vocals was a band that brought the iconic Motown sound to life. It was mentioned they toured the country together, and it shows. A tight rhythm section, soulful brass, and dynamic guitar work, the band provided the perfect foundation for the singers. Each instrumentalist had their moment to shine as well.
The audience’s enthusiasm never wavered from start to finish, and the performers’ energy made the show feel like a communal celebration, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. For fans of Motown and holiday music alike, this performance was an early Christmas gift to treasure.
Motown Christmas Holiday Spectacular Setlist:
1.) Sleigh Ride
2.) Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
3.) Winter Wonderland
4.) Tears Of A Clown
5.) Tracks Of My Tears
6.) Ooh, Baby Baby
7.) Secondhand Emotion
8.) White Christmas/Tracks of My Tears
9.) Away in a Manger
10.) My Girl/I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
11.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
12.) O Christmas Tree/Signed, Sealed Delivered.
13.) Deck The Halls/12 Days of Christmas
14.) MEDLEY: Baby Love/Heatwave/Please Mr Postman/Nowhere to Hide/You Can’t Hurry Love/Stop! In the Name of Love/Dancing in the Street
15.) MEDLEY: Working My Way Back To You/Nowhere to go/Could It Be I’m Falling in Love/It’s a Shame/Rubberband Man
16.) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
17.) Jingle Bell Rock
18.) Here Comes Santa Claus/Frosty the Snowman/Jingle Bells/We Wish you a Merry Christmas/Felix Navidad
Second Set
1.) MEDLEY: Get Ready/Ain’t Too Proud to Beg/My Girl/I Wish It Would Rain/The Way You Do The Things You Do/I Can’t Get Next To You Babe
2.) The Christmas Song
3.) This Christmas
4.) Night Before Christmas/Silent Night
5.) Merry Christmas Baby
6.) Please Come Home for Christmas
7.) MEDLEY: Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch/Same Old Song/1 2 3/I’ll Be There/Do You Love Me?/Shout!
8.) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town/Da Doo Ron Ron
