‘Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular’ gets ready to take stage
By Susie Hovater Malone
Columnist
The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular does more than bring holiday joy to the stage each December. It unites our community, fills the theater with music and cheer, and helps support foster families in Franklin County.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and this production captures everything I love about the season.
Are you ready for Christmas holiday music and dancing? Then you do not want to miss the sixth annual Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular, which runs Dec. 11 through Dec. 14 at the historic Roxy Theatre. There will be eight school shows and four general shows, plus a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council, Inc. works with the Showcase Theatre Company to present the Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular. This production has become a holiday tradition our community and schools look forward to each year.
The musical honors the performing arts and highlights cultural entertainment and educational opportunities while helping preserve the historic Roxy Theatre. This local icon has supported the economy and tourism in Russellville and across Franklin County for 76 years. The Alabama State Council on the Arts provides grants that help fund
the show. Writer and director Hillary Malone Hall said the show keeps its familiar story line but adds fresh holiday sections, new music, costumes, characters and dancers each year.
“The children look forward to the Christmas season because they know the Elf and Santa are about to come,” she said.
She added that many children have even asked if the Roxy is the North Pole.
Gunner Lane, a fourthyear veteran of the Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular, plays Fred the Elf and keeps everyone on the move throughout the production. Lane said he loves the Roxy, enjoys performing and likes bringing Christmas cheer to everyone young and old.
Jonah Walker plays Gaspar, the Amtrak railway conductor, and he has his hands full keeping everyone on track, especially Fred. Walker said he returns to the show each year for the kids. They have a good time laughing and seeing their favorite characters in person, and he knows they depend on the cast to make their holidays a happy time.
Supporting actors include Blakely Dowdy, who plays Susan, and Lakin Derrick, who plays Snowflake. When asked what they like best about the Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular, Derrick said it feels like being part of a family. Dowdy said she likes making friends.
Erica Cothrum and Sydney Medley serve as assistant directors. Kaylee Brannon serves as choreographer. Matt McDuffa, Laura McDuffa and Joel Davis handle the set design.
Denise Davis, a Russellville native and a former Miss Alabama, songwriter and performer, allows the FCAHA to use her song “The Holiest of Nights” in the Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular. Cliff Downs of Nashville, Tennessee, worked with her to produce the song for the show.
The historic Roxy Theatre provides a place for students and local citizens to experience musical theater, whether they participate in productions or explore an interest in a future career in the performing arts.
The statistics for children in foster care in Alabama are alarming. Currently about 6,000 children are in foster care, and about 2,300 licensed foster homes exist in the state. Many children still wait for love, nurturing and care because there are not enough foster homes.
The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council, Inc. partners with the Franklin County Department of Human Resources to donate 10% of ticket sales, along with $20 from each monetary donation, to help foster children in Franklin County.
The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular provides a meaningful way to support foster children. By attending the holiday production, you allow 10% of your ticket cost to go to DHR. Tickets, which range from $15 to $16, are available at jotform. com/showcasetheatre/roxys- christmas-spectacular.
The 2025 Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular Cast includes Adley Askins, Aiden Borden, Alaina Askins, Alena Boyles, Alivia Headlee, Aria Parrish, Ariel Cothrum, Aubree Hyde, Aubrey Fuller, Avery Cummings, Blakley Dowdy, Brilynn Green, Brookleigh Cockrell, Brooklyn Adams, Chloie Adams, Jade Applestot, Kinsley Benford, Aiden Borden, Cara Borden, Alena Boyles, Kade Bragwell, Kaylee Brannon, Allyson Bray, Brookleigh Cockrell, Avery Cummings, Kelly Dowdy, Brooklyn Adams, Cara Borden, Cassidy Lane, Chandler Trotter, Aubrey Fuller, Cole Fuller, Maria Gonzalez, Cameron Hall, Catherine Hall, Madelyn Hatton, Alivia Headlee, Kayden Headlee, Lily Henderson, Lorie Herndon, Hadlee Hill, Hudson Hill, Aubree Hyde, Addi James, Isac Hill, Kade Bragwell, Kalea Nolden, Lakin Derrick, Lily Henderson, Gunner Lane, Mya Lindsey, Heidi Madden, Shiloh Madden, Reese Mayer, Keylee Mayfield, River Mayfield, Laura McDuffa, Matt McDuffa, Aria Parrish, Ella Parrish, Peyton Parrish, McKenzie Puckett, Kaleigh Tutich, Jonah Walker, Harper Welborn, Ryann Welborn, Lorie Herndon, Uriah Fisher, Rayme Spiegle, McKenzie Puckett.
Sponsors donating to the Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular and Foster Children of Franklin County are: Alabama Central Credit Union, Hovater’s Metal Works, Inc., Russellville First Baptist Church, CB&S Bank, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Listerhill Credit Union, Russellville Hospital, Big Star of Russellville, Franklin County Commission, Sen. Larry Stutts, State Farm Rhett Bradford, Wood-Thompson Insurance Service, LLC, Russellville Water Board, Fred and Judy Bodie, Jeremy Landers Photography, Pilgrim’s Pride, Bedford, Rogers and Bowling, Clark Pulley Industries, First Metro Bank, Morgan Chiropractic, WalMart, Sinclair-Lawrence & Associates Insurance Agency.
