Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy
In association with Work Light Productions
Present
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright
Book by Berry Gordy
Music and Lyrics from The Legendary Motown Catalog
Music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Non-stop electric entertainment is MOTOWN THE MUSICAL at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
The life and legacy of the infamous Berry Gordy, the legendary creator of the “Motown sound,” blazes forth to bring us a thoroughly exciting night of music and storytelling.
Berry Gordy began as a featherweight boxer, whose father told him to “be the best you can be,” and rose to mega music mogul creating the Motown sound, its music, and the artists associated with the music that defined a generation. That beat, that fabulous beat!!! And the artists, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and Diana Ross, Mary Wells, and Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five. But there are so many more that have brought true joy to our lives. THAT is truly amazing, and instrumental in shaping music, not just for Motown, but also for music in general.
Opening the show is a blast of music from The Four Tops and The Temptations, and with that you know this is going to be a winner. We are fortunate to hear 40, count ‘em, 40 fabulously timeless hits, performed by AMAZINGLY talented singers, and starring the remarkable Chester Gregory as Berry Gordy, and Allison Semmes as Diana Ross (who sounds just like Diana Ross and blew me away). Jarran Muse as Marvin Gaye, and David Kaverman as Smokey Robinson are FANTASTIC. Stealing the stage is CJ Wright as five-year-old Michael Jackson. You won’t believe your eyes and ears with this “star” in the making. He is truly astounding, and the audience went CRAZY! But then again, the entire cast is awesome. Not only is the cast made up of talented singers, but dancers as well. And they completely deliver. Charles Randolph-Wright’s direction brings energy and electricity to the story of a fulfilled man’s American dream.
Some of my favorite songs: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Dancing in the Street,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” “War,” and “Reach Out (I’ll Be There).” But I have to admit, I love them all, and I’m truly a fan of the Motown sound.
Berry Gordy is a songwriter, producer, director, innovative entrepreneur, teacher and visionary. He is actively involved in the civil rights movement and developed films, including “Lady Sings the Blues” (five Academy Award nominations) and “Mahogany.” Truly an amazing man. We were fortunate to have Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson in attendance at the opening. What an honor!
The show was recently nominated for 11 2016 NAACP Theatre Awards, receiving four top awards at the 26th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards ceremony in November 2016, winning Best Playwright to Berry Gordy, Best Choreography to Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, Best Costumes to Emilio Sosa, and Best Sound to Ethan Popp and Brian Crook.
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is a MUST SEE of pure fun, nostalgia, fabulous music and storytelling, and will have you dancing in the aisles and “Dancing In The Street” (which is one of my most favorite songs).
This is a limited two-week engagement, so get your tickets NOW. You will enjoy EVERY minute, be talking about the show for days, and leave the theatre singing. It can’t get any better than that.
MOTOWN is used under license from UMG Recordings, Inc.
Starring:
Chester Gregory as Berry Gordy
Allison Semmes as Diana Ross
David Kaverman – Smokey Robinson
Jarran Muse – Marvin Gaye
CJ Wright or Raymond Davis Jr –Young Berry Gordy/Stevie Wonder/Michael Jackson
Cast: Michelle Alves, Malcolm Armwood, Judith Franklin, Jeremy Gaston, Garfield Hammonds, Latrisa Harper, Jared Howelton, Louis James Jackson, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Ramone Owens, Devin L. Price, Tavia Rivee, Kimberly Ann Steele, Doug Storm, Daniel Robert Sullivan, Gabriella Whiting, and Ricardo A. Zayas
SWINGS: Erick Buckley, Alyssa V. Gomez, Rod Harrelson, Alana Randall, Matthew Sims, Jr., and Galen J. Williams.
DANCE CAPTAIN: Rod Harrelson
ASST. DANCE CAPTAIN: Ramone Owens
Director: Charles Randolph-Wright
Book by Berry Gordy – Based upon the Book “To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories Of Motown by Berry Gordy”
Music Supervision and Arrangements: Ethan Popp
Choreography: Patricia Wilcox & Warren Adams
Asst Choreography: Brian H. Brooks
Staged by Schele Williams
Scenic Design: David Korins
Costume Design: Emilio Sosa
Lighting Design: Natasha Katz
Sound Design: Peter Hylenski
Production Design: Daniel Brodie
Hair & Wig Design: Charles G. LaPointe
Production Stage Manager: Anna R Kaltenbach
Executive Producer: Nansci Neiman-LaGette
Casting: Wojcik/Seay Casting – Gayle Seay, CSA
Production Management: Port Technical, Rhys Williams
Orchestrations: Ethan Popp & Brian Crook
Music Director/Conductor: Darryl Archibald
Dane Music Arrangements: Zane Mark
Script Consultants: David Goldsmith & Dick Scanlan
Creative Consultant: Christie Burton
Tickets:
Online: HollywoodPantages.com or Ticketmaster.com
Phone: 1-800-982-2787
In Person: Hollywood Pantages Box Office (opens daily at 10am
And all Ticketmaster Outlets
Individual Tickets start at $35 (Ticket prices subject to change without notice)
RUNS:
Now through February 12, 2017
HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES THEATRE
6233 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday – Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm
Parental Advisory:
Ages 10 and up
Children under 5 will not be admitted to the theatre.
All patrons must have a ticket, regardless of age.