Broadway in Chicago, in conjunction with Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy, present MOTOWN THE MUSICAL.
Once upon a time, a man had a dream. He wanted to make music. He wasn’t content with being a songwriter. He wanted to have a bigger impact. He wasn’t just about launching his music career. He was about launching many musical careers. And so Berry Gordy founded Motown. The songwriter became the music mogul. And his songs changed everything. The bittersweet journey is a tribute in itself to the loving determination of Gordy. His ability to see the potential and push for its success is inspiring. He gave birth to legends.
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL captivates. Berry Gordy wrote the book based on his personal memoirs. Gordy chronicles the rise of Motown which parallels the civil rights movement. We see and hear how music influenced the demise of racial barriers… or at least permanently dented. Gordy illustrates how the talented Motown groups won over the nation and the world one song at a time. He illustrates the struggles of black singers performing in segregated clubs as their songs climbed the pop charts. At one point, the racial tension and duress in the music industry implodes on stage. During the tumultuous protest, Jarran Muse (Marvin Gaye) sings a poignant “What’s going on?” The lyrics and Muse’s confusion mirror the history and the emotion perfectly. Muse effectively shows Marvin Gaye’s career epiphany moment. The continuos intertwining of the songs to the time period engages in a musical history lesson.
The score boasts over fifty classic snippets sung by reincarnated versions of the superstars: Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. In particular, the ravishing Allison Semmes (Diana Ross)and the spunky Reed L. Shannon (Michael Jackson) embodied their characters. Semmes transforms from arm swaying girl group to show-stopping diva. Young Reed looks and sounds like the adorable Jackson 5’s frontman.
Choreographers Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams bring back the smooth, groovy moves . The Tops, The Miracles, The Jackson 5, The Supremes and The Commodores dazzle in nostalgic synchronization. The flashy show is all about connecting to the music. The first few bars of each melody are met with a murmur from the audience. Each song is its own sentimental journey. And the audience responds to the ongoing flashbacks like kids on Christmas morning. The show induces grins, giggles and the impromptu sing-along… much to others’ chagrin.
The upbeat tempo energizes the soul. Not only was I dancing in my seat, I left dancing in the street. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL replays the past as a Billboard Top 40. The dynamic is a fun visit back in time.
Running Time: Two hours and forty-five minutes includes an intermission
At the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph
Based on the book “To be loved: the music, the magic, the memories of Motown” by Berry Gordy
Book by Berry Gordy
Music and lyrics from The Legendary Motown Catalogue
Music supervision and arrangements by Ethan Popp
Choreographed by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 8pm
Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2pm
Thru August 9th
Buy Tickets at www.broadwayinchicago.com