No record company in the history of the recorded music even comes close to the lasting impact of Motown. It would not be an overstatement to say the company is revered, not just in the United States but all over the world.
The opening line of Martha & the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street,” one of Motown’s most celebrated and enduring hits, put it succinctly: “Calling out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat?”
The world was ready for it then,and the world is ready for it now.
“Motown the Musical” is a show that came along at the right time. It took Broadway by storm and is now being presented at the Fisher Theatre through Nov. 16.
There are those who feel the musical extravaganza should have made its debut in the city of Motown’s birth, and that is a valid point, but this way “Motown the Musical” could be thought of as a homecoming.
DIRECTED BY Charles Randolph-Wright, “Motown the Musical” is based on Motown founder and former president Berry Gordy’s intriguing and informative 1994 autobiography, “To Be Loved,” subtitled “The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown.”
Portraying Gordy in the show is Clifton Oliver. Allison Semmes has the role of Motown’s first lady, Diana Ross, Nicholas Christopher is Smokey Robinson and Jarran Muse secured the role of Marvin Gaye.
Among others featured in the Detroit cast are Galen Williams, Martina Sykes, Douglas Storm, Jamison Scott, Nicholas Rowe, Ramone Owens, Chadaè Nichol, Rashad Naylor, Marq Moss, Krisha Marcano, Jarvis Manning, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Grasan Kingsberry, Trisha Jeffrey, Rodney Earl Jackson Jr., Robert Hartwell, Erick Buckley, Patrice Covington, Christian Dante White, Jamarice Daughtry, Tamar Davis, Lynorris Evans, Melanie Evans, Devon Goffman, Jennie Harney, Latrisa Harper and Rod Harrelson.
THE SHOW, featuring more than 40 Motown hits, has been described as “the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of so many.”
Indeed, it is difficult to imagine the music world — or the world, period — without the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, the Miracles, Michael Jackson, the Jackson Five, the Temptations, Mary Wells, Lionel Richie, the Commodores, Stevie Wonder, the Marvelettes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and so many others.
“Motown the Musical” features choreography by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by ESosa, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski, projection design by Daniel Brodie, hair design by Charles LaPointe and casting by Telsey + Company.
The show is produced by the Tony Award-winning Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris, Sony Music Entertainment chairman and CEO, and Berry Gordy.
Arrangements and orchestrations are by Ethan Popp with co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Crook. Zane Mark handles dance arrangements.
All have outstanding credentials.
Tickets for “Motown the Musical” are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1.800.982.2787 and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com., and at the Fisher Theatre box office.
ALTHOUGH Motown had plenty of hits prior to 1964, it was during the summer of that year that the “Motown explosion” occurred, sparked by the long overdue major success of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard — the Supremes.
Gordy said of those glorious, pivotal years, “When I look back, it seems we could do no wrong. The stream of hits was endless. The whole world was fast becoming aware of our success — our artists, our songs, our sound…(And) the tasks of running the company had grown as explosively as the company itself.”
One of the most untrue and unfair things people often say is that Berry Gordy put special emphasis on the Supremes because he was going with Diana Ross. The truth is, he saw something special in her early on and began working with that, for the good of the company and the group.
Gordy and Ross were two like-minded people — taking the concept of “success driven” to new heights. Their aspirations were uniquely connected, and the personal relationship developed later.
MOREOVER, the Supremes were clearly something far more than an R&B group. They were essentially a pop act and it is no wonder they were so successful when they played the Copacabana in 1965, singing their hits but also standards and show tunes. Because of this versatility, they became regulars on the Ed Sullivan show.
As great as Martha & the Vandellas, the Marvelettes and the Velvelettes were, they could never have done what the Supremes did.
Amidst all the excitement surrounding “Motown the Musical,” it is sobering to think of the many “Motown people” who are not here today to partake of the festivities and the symbolism, although many elements of the Motown story — not all of them positive — will never be presented on any stage.
We refer to people like Eddie Kendricks, Mary Wells, Nick Ashford, Esther Gordy Edwards, Ronnie White, Levi Stubbs, Maxine Powell, James Jamerson, David Ruffin, Florence Ballard, Earl Van Dyke, Obie Benson, Paul Williams, Choker Campbell, Bobby Rogers, Michael Jackson, Thomas “Beans” Bowles, Gladys Horton, Pervis Jackson, Lawrence Payton, Melvin Franklin and Norman Whitfield.
Perhaps they are there in spirit every time the curtain goes up, because spirit never dies…and Motown is forever.
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