By Katrina Markel / For The Nonpareil
OMAHA – The national tour of ‘MOTOWN the Musical’ brought a rousing and joyful production to the Orpheum Theatre last week. It featured spot-on portrayals of some of the greatest artists of the mid-twentieth century, spectacular production values and, of course, that incredible music.
The action begins in 1983 just before the Motown 25th Anniversary television special; a television event still remembered for the debut of Michael Jackson’s moonwalk. It quickly flashes back to 1938 and the childhood of Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. The musical, which was written by Gordy and based on his autobiography, is a combination of his personal story and a musical revue.
At the top of the show the storyline felt like an awkward device stringing together incredible musical numbers, but as the show progressed it became more compelling. Gordy is a great American entrepreneur with uncanny timing and intuition. The advent of his Detroit-based record company in 1959 coincided with Top 40 radio and an era of increased prominence for African-Americans. It’s also an only-in-America kind of success story.
Motown’s contribution to American music is vast. Just a few standout numbers from the musical include “Dancing in the Street” (Martha and the Vandellas), “My Guy” (Mary Wells), “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “What’s Going On?” (Marvin Gaye), “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” (Stevie Wonder), and a host of numbers by The Temptations, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and the Jackson 5.
The ensemble is impressive with almost every performer playing multiple roles. Leading man Clifton Oliver (Gordy) is a Broadway veteran who anchors the show with a regal presence. Allison Semmes is spot-on as sensual diva Diana Ross. She shines as she interacts with the audience and leads the crowd in a sing-a-long of “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand).”
Jesse Nager is nearly perfect as the legendary Smokey Robinson. His tenor vocals closely resembling Robinson’s on tunes such as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Shop Around.”
As the late ’60s unfold, the ill-fated Marvin Gaye is the social conscience at Motown and Jarran Muse is dynamic in the role. Reed L. Shannon is one of two youth performers on the tour who are double-cast as young Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Shannon is as prodigiously talented as the young Jackson was, which makes the Jackson 5 numbers an absolute delight.
The lighting and set design is well-done and the costumes are stunning. The story of Berry Gordy Jr. and Motown is certainly fascinating, but the real reason to go see this production is the magnificent music. ‘MOTOWN the Musical’ is an uplifting night of fun, and I hope they some back to the metro area sometime soon.
Source: Katrina Markel / The Nonpareil
Reed L Shannon as Michael Jackson (center) with the Jackson 5 in “MOTOWN the Musical’s” first national tour.
Thank You For Visiting MJ-UPBEAT.COM!
.
Recent Comments