December 5, 2026
The sounds of Motown will get a holiday twist when Symphony of the Americas presents A Merry Motown Christmas on Dec. 5, 2026 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.
Featuring legendary singer Dionne Warwick and Broadway star Myles Frost (MJ the Musical), the concert brings together some of Motown’s most beloved sounds with holiday favorites, featuring new orchestral arrangements created especially for the performance.
Luke Frazier, artistic director of Symphony of the Americas, shares what audiences can expect from this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration.
How would you describe a Merry Motown Christmas?
This show is a celebration of iconic holiday music with that unmistakable Motown sound! We’re bringing some incredible recordings back to life, recreating arrangements that, in some cases, haven’t been heard live since the original albums were released. It’s a chance to experience these beloved songs in a whole new way while celebrating the music that made Motown so special.
How do you take music people know so well—from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and The Temptations—and give it a symphonic treatment without losing what made the original music so distinctive?
Our goal is to create orchestral arrangements that maintain the integrity and energy of the original recordings while bringing something special to the live experience. We’re fortunate to work with exceptional musicians who can move effortlessly between musical styles. Whether we’re performing Mozart or Motown, we approach the music with the same level of care and attention to detail.
You have Dionne Warwick and Myles Frost on the same program. How did that lineup come together?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with these incredible artists, so when we started thinking about who we wanted to feature, they immediately came to mind. Each brings something unique to the stage, and I knew they’d be a wonderful fit for this program.
Dionne Warwick is obviously a legend, while Myles Frost is strongly associated with Broadway. What excites you most about putting those voices together with Symphony of the Americas?
The level of artistry these three bring to the stage is extraordinary. They’re all incredible performers who have a remarkable ability to connect with an audience and bring music to life. When you pair that with an orchestra that puts so much care and heart into every performance, you have all the ingredients for a truly magical evening.
Can you give me an example of a song or arrangement you’re particularly eager for audiences to hear and tell me what you’ve done with it?
We’re recreating an incredible version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that I think will really surprise people. It’s smooth, sultry, and filled with that unmistakable Motown sound. You almost won’t believe you’re listening to the same holiday classic everyone knows!
For someone picturing a traditional holiday pops concert, how is A Merry Motown Christmas going to be different?
Think of a classic Andy Williams holiday special, but with a Motown twist! We’re bringing that same warmth and nostalgia, filling the evening with incredible music and a little vintage flair. It’s going to feel like stepping back into one of those wonderful holiday television specials, and we’re even encouraging everyone to dress in their festive vintage best!
What do you hope the audience feels when walking out of the Au-Rene Theater that night?
My hope is the same for every concert we perform: that people leave feeling a little better about their lives and the community around them. Music has this incredible ability to help us forget our stresses, set aside our differences, and simply enjoy being together. I want our audiences to know that Symphony of the Americas is a place where they can always find that sense of joy and connection. If we can provide even a little bit of that through our music, then we’ve done something meaningful.
