Foley’s OWA Theater is putting a country twist on the holiday season this winter, with a new production bringing tribute performances of some of Nashville’s biggest names to the stage through early January.
“Legends in Concert: A Merry Country Christmas” is a seasonal spinoff of the venue’s long-running “Legends in Concert” show, which has drawn crowds to OWA since the entertainment complex opened. The regular production is built around a rotating cast of performers who recreate the look, sound and stage presence of famous musicians, letting audiences experience something close to a live show from the artist being honored. For the holiday run, that formula gets pointed squarely at country music, with a cast built around recognizable stars of the genre.
The show opens with a rendition of “Jingle Bells” styled after the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s swinging holiday arrangement, setting an upbeat tone before the tribute performances begin in earnest. From there, performer Corrie Sachs steps into the role of Reba McEntire, followed by Stacey Whitton, who takes on both Shania Twain and Martina McBride over the course of the evening. Shawn Gerhard rounds out the country segment with a portrayal of Garth Brooks, while Leo Days closes with a tribute to Elvis Presley that includes a seasonal take on “Blue Christmas.”
The night builds to a finale pairing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s instrumental “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo” with a full-cast performance of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” bringing all of the evening’s performers together on stage for a closing number.
“A Merry Country Christmas” opened Nov. 20 and continues at the OWA Theater, located at 205 N. OWA Blvd. in Foley, through Jan. 3. Tickets range from $17.95 to $44.95 and are available through the OWA website, visitowa.com. The show is part of the broader slate of holiday programming at OWA, which draws visitors from across Baldwin County and the wider Gulf Coast region during the Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s stretch.
For country music fans looking for a festive night out along the Gulf Coast this winter, the tribute show offers a mix of nostalgia and holiday cheer without requiring a trip outside Baldwin County.