Midland Center for the Arts opens the holiday season with crowd-pleasing performances

The Midland Center for the Arts (MCFTA) kicked off the holiday season with two packed shows, offering audiences a blend of festive cheer and high-energy pop theater. “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” delighted families with its acrobatics, music, and holiday magic. Meanwhile, “Six: The Musical” brought history to life through bold songs, humor, and a modern twist on the story of Henry VIII’s six wives.

A high-flying start to the season

“Cirque Dreams Holidaze” arrived first on Nov. 21, transforming the main stage into a fast-moving world of acrobatics, music, and color. The production is a familiar favorite for many in the area, but attracts audience members from across the state.

“People come from all over,” says an MCFTA docent. “It’s not surprising to see families come from Detroit.” Many of those families came early to take advantage of the lobby craft station. There, anyone could build small acrobat-themed toys before the curtain rose. It added an extra layer of fun and made the night feel even more special for kids. But of course, the real star of the night was the show itself. 

From the moment guests arrived, the 2025 reimagined “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” blended Broadway-style storytelling with modern circus artistry. The audience was greeted by a Master of Ceremonies, whose expressions and gestures brought laughs without saying a word. When the curtain opened, the story moved into the dream of Clara, a young girl worried a snowstorm will keep her family apart for Christmas.

Clara’s “Holidaze” brought many fan favorites back to the stage. From signature balancing displays to the jump-rope squad, each act had the audience instantly reacting. Alongside returning favorites, new aerial routines gave the show an edge. Longtime viewers commented on how different parts of the performance pushed boundaries a little more than expected.

The 2025 reimagining also brought other changes. New sets and costumes provided extra surprises while live vocals and a violinist added depth to the production.

As the curtain fell and the performers bowed to a standing ovation, it was clear that the Midland Center for the Arts had delivered another memorable holiday weekend. And for many in the audience, the tradition is already set — when “Holidaze” returns, they’ll be back.

A modern spin on Henry VIII’s wives

A week later, the MCFTA shifted from holiday spectacle to pop-concert theater when “Six: The Musical” opened on Nov. 28. Where Holidaze offered warmth and family-focused excitement, “Six” delivered something much edgier. 

The performance reimagines Henry VIII’s six wives — Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr — as a modern pop group. The story starts with the women competing to become the group’s lead singer by trying to show the audience who suffered the most under the infamous king. 

Each queen had her own solo, giving her a moment to shine. Catherine of Aragon opened with strength and determination, Anne Boleyn delivered sharp wit, Jane Seymour brought heartfelt emotion, Anne of Cleves surprised with humor, Katherine Howard burst with youthful energy, and Catherine Parr closed with reflection and empowerment. The solos highlighted their personalities, challenges, and triumphs, blending humor, drama, and pop tunes that kept the audience fully engaged. 

What surprised some first-time attendees (including myself) was the emotional range hidden within the humor and the show’s fast pace. It balanced one-liners with moments that allowed the audience to reflect on the depth of each woman’s story. 

The combination added greater depth to the night than the pop-music packaging might suggest. Beneath the high-energy songs and playful competition, the show explored themes of resilience, voice, and recognition. It gave these historical women agency, letting them tell their own stories in a way that was both empowering and relatable.

The production was also visually stunning. Concert-style lighting and metallic, jewel-toned costumes created a polished look on stage while enhancing the overall experience without being overwhelming. The queen’s band, known as the “Ladies in Waiting,” performed live from risers positioned behind the queens.

Whether audiences came for laughter, music, or a fresh take on history, “Six” delivered.

The show drew a full house, and the lobby was filled with fans long after the standing ovation ended. Some waited in line to buy merchandise branded with empowering phrases such as turning history into “her-story” while others lingered to debate which queen was their favorite.

With more seasonal programming on the way, these back-to-back hits have already given Midland a great start to December and a reminder of how much live performance can bring the community together.