Motown: The Musical is a heart thumping, nostalgic performance of the music that made Berry Gordy king. The show pays homage to the world class musicians who were propelled to stardom via the hallowed halls of Hitsville, USA. According to the website,
“Motown:The Musical is Broadway’s record-breaking smash hit that tells the true story behind the beat that changed minds, touched lives and took the world by storm. Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations – Motown: The Musical shows how these legendary artists and so many more created the soundtrack that transformed America. With over 40 classic songs such as “My Girl,” “What’s Going On,” “Dancing in the Street,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” this explosive Broadway event is the next chapter of Motown’s incredible history – and an experience you’ll never forget.”
https://youtu.be/7ScXWusn2AU
Based upon Berry Gordy’s 1994 memoir “To Be Loved,” Motown:The Musical foregoes much of the the drama to focus squarely on the hits. Attendees can expect blistering hot renditions of the music of Black R&B icons that shaped nearly every musical genre of today. If you missed the show during its Broadway run, don’t despair. After a two year hiatus, the show has begun its American tour. So far, the reviews have been exactly what one would expect from a show that captures the music chronicling the spectrum of Black life, love and politics.
“A towering stack of musical memories! The greatest pop hits of our collective lifetimes just keep on coming! Motown rocks the rafters! –New Jersey Newsroom
Audiences who have already seen the show on tour agree.
After tonight @AllisonSemmes is officially bae! SHE SLAYED THAT SHOW TONIGHT LIKE WHAT?!?!! It's should be illegal to slay that much😍😩
— bri. (@Pumkin_Poo) August 13, 2015
The niece and nephew loved @MotownMusical SO much. It's 11pm and they're singing the Jackson 5. No one is sleeping tonight.
— Farrah Rochon (@FarrahRochon) August 10, 2015
Had a wonderful evening jamming out to @MotownMusical at @ATTPAC. Highly recommend for Broadway lovers and music aficionados alike! 🎤
— paige (@paigeraiczyk) August 9, 2015
The original tour cast included Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes as Berry Gordy and Diana Ross, Nicholas Christopher as Smokey Robinson, Jarran Muse as Marvin Gaye, and Leon Outlaw, Jr. and Reed L. Shannon as Young Berry Gordy and the roles of Young Michael Jackson and Young Stevie Wonder. Also, ensemble members Erick Buckley, Patrice Covington, Christian Dante White, Jamarice Daughtry, Tamar Davis, Lynorris Evans, Melanie Evans, Devon Goffman, Jennie Harney, Latrisa Harper, Rod Harrelson, Robert Hartwell, Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr., Trisha Jeffrey, Grasan Kingsberry, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Jarvis Manning, Krisha Marcano, Marq Moss, Rashad Naylor, Chadaè , Ramone Owens, Nicholas Rowe, Jamison Scott, Douglas Storm, Martina Sykes and Galen Williams all graced the stage that opening night in Chicago.
For more information on tickets and upcoming tour stops, click here.
To see the current tour cast check here.
