Review · THE USA
Original Motown Christmas Tribute Show
The Original Motown Christmas Tribute Show turns a small Myrtle Beach theater into a lively trip through Detroit’s golden music years. You’ll hear Motown favorites, seasonal songs, and 1970s material, with singers moving through several costume changes and inviting the audience to clap, sing, and join a Soul Train line.
I like the intimate theater setting, which keeps the performers close and makes the crowd feel part of the evening. I also like the personal touches: veterans, birthdays, and anniversaries may be recognized from the stage, sometimes with a serenade. The main drawback is seating. Your Bronze ticket is first come, first served, and some rows can feel tight.
Key points before you book

- Two hours of live Motown and holiday music: Expect a full evening of singing, dancing, comedy, and Christmas selections.
- A small GTS Theatre setting: The room feels personal, but Bronze seating may have limited space between rows.
- Crowd participation is part of the show: Be ready to clap, sing along, and possibly watch or join a Soul Train line.
- Arrive early for the best Bronze seat: Doors open 45 minutes before showtime, and late arrivals are not seated.
- Good value at $64.23 per person: The price covers about two hours of live entertainment in Myrtle Beach.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead: Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refundable.
Motown music with a Christmas curtain call
This is not a quiet concert where you sit back and wait for the final applause. It is a musical cabaret built for participation. The show follows the broad story of Motown, the Detroit record label and musical movement that carried singers such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5 into homes across America.
The performance brings together the polished vocal style of classic Motown with holiday songs. You may hear familiar seasonal material alongside the hits that made the era famous. One especially praised musical moment is an a cappella version of O Holy Night, which gives the singers a chance to show their voices without the full band sound behind them.
The tone is upbeat and warm. Expect laughter between songs, audience interaction, costume changes, and performers who encourage you to sing along. This works best if you enjoy live entertainment with a friendly, old-fashioned variety-show feel rather than a formal theater production.
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What happens at GTS Theatre

The entire experience takes place at GTS Theatre in Myrtle Beach. You enter the intimate venue, find your place in the Bronze seating area, and settle in for a show of about two hours.
The theater’s small scale is important. You are not watching from a huge arena or a distant balcony. The performers remain a clear part of the room, and the cast can speak directly to the audience. Personal celebrations are often woven into the evening, including recognition of veterans, birthdays, and anniversaries.
That personal approach is one of the show’s strongest features. If you are marking a birthday or anniversary, the evening may include a public acknowledgment or a special song. If you prefer to stay anonymous, the show still works, but you should understand that audience interaction is part of the format.
The venue also sells snacks and has merchandise available. These extras are mentioned during the pre-show period and intermission, not during the main performance. You can simply ignore them if you are there for the music.
The sound of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5

The musical selection reaches across Motown’s best-known names and styles. Diana Ross brings the polished pop and soul associated with the Supremes. Stevie Wonder adds a more soulful, expressive sound. The Jackson 5 supplies youthful energy and dance-friendly numbers.
The cast also covers other Motown-era styles, so the program is broader than a single artist tribute. The show moves from the early Detroit sound into 1970s material and then adds Christmas songs. That range helps keep the evening moving.
I would not book this expecting exact replicas of the original studio recordings. Tribute shows work through interpretation, choreography, wardrobe, and stage presence. The appeal is hearing familiar songs performed live by several vocalists, each with a distinct voice.
The strongest element is the vocal range. The singers handle both upbeat numbers and slower, more emotional songs. The wardrobe changes add visual variety and help mark the movement between artists and musical periods.
Why the small theater works, and where it does not

A small room can make a musical show feel more immediate. You can see the performers clearly, notice the costumes, and follow their interaction with the crowd. The setting also helps the birthday and anniversary moments feel personal rather than routine.
The tradeoff is comfort. Bronze seating is assigned on a first come, first served basis. Some seats are in tightly arranged rows of chairs, and one assessment specifically found the theater accommodations less comfortable than expected.
Arrive early if your seat matters. Doors open 45 minutes before showtime, giving you time to enter, look around, and choose within the Bronze area. Doors close 10 minutes before the performance begins, and late arrivals will not be seated. This is not the place to stroll in at the last minute after dinner.
If you want more space or a position closer to the front, book directly with the theater rather than relying on Bronze seating through this package. The supplied information specifically indicates that direct theater bookings can offer better seating arrangements.
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Crowd participation is more than a polite sing-along

The show expects a response from you. Clapping, singing, and laughing are all part of the evening. A Soul Train segment brings audience members into the action as dancers move through the room.
You do not need to be a skilled dancer. The point is fun, not performance quality. Still, if you strongly prefer a fully passive concert, this may feel more active than expected.
The audience interaction also gives the show a social quality. You may find yourself celebrating other people’s milestones, joining in on familiar choruses, or watching the cast move through the room. That spirit fits Motown well. The music was built for shared rhythm, not silent listening.
Costume changes and the visual side of the show

The costumes receive nearly as much attention as the singing. Wardrobe changes help the cast shift between artists, periods, and holiday moments. One particularly memorable feature is a Motown-inspired dress that made such an impression that a viewer wanted to buy it.
The clothing is not just decoration. It gives the show a stronger sense of occasion and helps distinguish the different musical sections. You get a visual reminder that you are moving from classic Motown numbers to 1970s songs and then into Christmas material.
Do not expect a full Broadway-scale production with elaborate scenery. The strength here is the performers, their clothing, the music, and the close room. If you judge the show by those elements, the format makes sense.
Is $64.23 a fair Myrtle Beach price?
At $64.23 per person, this is not the cheapest entertainment option in Myrtle Beach, but it is reasonable for a two-hour live stage show if you enjoy Motown and holiday music. The price is easier to justify for couples, families, and groups looking for a planned evening rather than a short attraction.
You are paying for live vocal performances, costume changes, audience interaction, and a full-length program. The show also gives you something different from the large-scale entertainment venues common in a resort town. Its value comes from the complete evening and the shared atmosphere, not from a famous headliner.
The price may feel less attractive if you only want a short concert or if you are not interested in Motown. The Christmas material is woven into the program, but this is still primarily a Motown tribute. You should enjoy classic soul, pop, and 1970s music before booking.
Snacks and merchandise are available at the venue, but they are not part of the ticket price. Plan for those as optional extras.
Best for couples, families, and mature music fans

The show suits couples celebrating birthdays or anniversaries, families with older children, and friends who enjoy singing along. It is particularly well matched to people who grew up with Motown or want to introduce younger relatives to that music in a live setting.
The tone is also comfortable for a mature audience. You get humor, familiar songs, holiday warmth, and a social evening without needing to understand a complicated plot.
It may be less suitable for very young children who cannot sit through two hours, although the supplied information says most people can participate. It may also disappoint anyone seeking a quiet, serious concert, a large dance production, or an exact replica of one artist’s original show.
Service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but the Bronze seating arrangement is worth considering if you need extra room or have particular seating needs.
Timing your evening at GTS Theatre
The show lasts approximately two hours. Doors open 45 minutes before showtime, which is your useful window for seating, snacks, and settling in. Since Bronze seats are first come, first served, early arrival is the practical choice.
The doors close 10 minutes before showtime. Late arrivals will not be seated, so leave enough time for Myrtle Beach traffic, parking, and finding the theater. The ticket is mobile, which means you can present it from your phone rather than carrying a printed voucher.
Your confirmation arrives at booking. If plans change, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund.
My take on the show’s strongest moments
The vocal variety is the main reason to go. Each performer brings a different sound, and the program moves through enough artists and eras to avoid feeling like one long imitation.
The audience participation is another major strength. The Soul Train segment, sing-alongs, clapping, and milestone recognition make the show feel less like a performance happening in front of you and more like a night shared with the room.
The Christmas material adds seasonal appeal without abandoning the Motown focus. For many people, that balance is the sweet spot. You get the familiar holiday mood, but the evening still has the rhythm and dance energy of Detroit soul.
The main weakness remains the Bronze seating. The intimate room helps the show, but tight rows and first come, first served placement can affect comfort. Arrive early, and book directly with GTS Theatre if seating space is a major concern.
Should you book the Original Motown Christmas Tribute Show?
Book it if you want a friendly, interactive Myrtle Beach night filled with Motown songs, Christmas favorites, strong vocals, colorful costumes, and plenty of clapping. It is especially appealing for a birthday, anniversary, holiday outing, or music-focused family evening.
Think twice if you dislike audience participation, need roomy seating, or want a large-scale theatrical production. At $64.23, the show is a fair buy for fans of live tribute entertainment, but the value depends on enjoying the music and joining the mood.
My practical advice is simple: arrive early, wear comfortable clothes, keep your mobile ticket ready, and expect to sing along. If Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, and Christmas music sound like a good combination, this is an easy addition to a Myrtle Beach evening.
FAQ
How long does the Original Motown Christmas Tribute Show last?
The performance lasts approximately two hours.
Where does the show take place?
The show takes place at GTS Theatre in Myrtle Beach, USA.
How much does the experience cost?
The listed price is $64.23 per person.
What type of seating is included?
This package includes Bronze seating only. Seats in that area are first come, first served.
When do the theater doors open?
Doors open 45 minutes before showtime and close 10 minutes before showtime.
Can late arrivals enter the theater?
No. Late arrivals will not be seated.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.
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