Motown? More like Woahtown!

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Berry Gordy’s “Motown the Musical” is a rare mix of merriment and poignancy, full of wit and history. Cutting between fantastic musical numbers and hard-hitting scenes reminding us about racial tension during the motown period, the musical tells the story of Berry Gordy (Julius Thomas III) and the rise of Motown Records from 1938 to the 1980’s. The history aspect of the show was interesting and added more dimension to the plot. The whole show was very interactive- from audience members cheering when a familiar name or band was brought up to a moment when volunteers from the audience sang along to “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand).” Continue Reading

Motown: Dancing in their seats!

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To be frank, I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I entered the Orpheum Theatre on December 16th, a Tuesday night, to see Motown the musical. The only thing people provided me about the show was how much they loved the music. I tried searching for a bit of story in the playbill, but ended up getting lost in a section of songs, which were written in alphabetical order if I might add! The musical started off with an explosion of music that felt like a roller coaster launching back to 1960’s. The entire show turned out to be a long, but absolute blast! Continue Reading

I heard it through the grapevine that Motown is amazing

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What do you think of when you hear Motown? The 70s? Detroit? Berry Gordy? All of these things are present in Motown The Musical. It is the story of how Motown (short for “Motor Town” a.k.a. Detroit) came to be. Filled with 60 songs from Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and more, this show is bound to make you dance in your seat. Continue Reading

A night on the town with Motown

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Motown the Musical is playing at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis through December 28 and you do not want to miss it. Motown was an American record company founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy. Gordy went from dreaming of boxing to launching the careers of some of the most well-known artists of all time, such as the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and many more. This show follows the story of Motown, specifically focusing on Gordy’s relationships with many of his stars, including his romantic relationship with Dianna Ross. Continue Reading

Get your groove on!

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On opening night of Motown the Musical at the Orpheum Theatre, the last show I had witnessed at the Orpheum was Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, which hit Minneapolis just as the jury verdict hit Ferguson.  With unfortunate timing to boot, White Christmas had lived up to its name.  I was ready for a more colorful show.  I was not disappointed. Continue Reading

One ticket to Hitsville, please!

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On December 16th, the seats of the Orpheum Theatre were filled with eager audience members ready to live, or re-live, the thrilling sounds of Motown. Motown the Musical will be transforming Minneapolis into the fast paced and inspiring town of Hitsville, U.S.A from December 16-28th. This exhilarating show takes audience members back in time to the 50s and 60s, allowing them to join their favorite Motown artists on their paths to success. Legendary founder of Motown, Berry Gordy, leaps over obstacles to catapult the careers of Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Jackson Five and many more. The show does a brilliant job of not only just showcasing great music and tons of talent, but also shows the racial struggles the characters went through and the important historical events of the time period. This musical is made of heart, soul, and an unbelieveable amount of passion. Continue Reading

Motown wants you back

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Was the Motown era before your time? No problem. For those of us who didn’t get a chance to live through this portion of our nation’s history, Motown the Musical provides an astoundingly realistic depiction sure to transport any viewer to this defining period. Continue Reading

Motown really got a hold on me

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Motown has a certain energy about it, I left  feeling enlivened and wondering where this music had been all my life. The show made me feel connected to the songs and the people that created them.  Dropping you right into Motown through a balance between fun music and historical context, the show follows Berry Gordy and the artists of Motown from the late 1950’s to the early 1980’s. Along this journey you experience the ups and downs of Motown. From the joy of first number one records to the fear and confusion after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. they wrote their feelings into the songs and those emotions remain relevant still today. Continue Reading

“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” at the Orpheum Theatre: Checking cheer off your list

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White Christmas. The seemingly redundant title that promises simplicity and holiday cheer. The average American is all too familiar with the 1954 movie musical classic, starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. This is a show that is best enjoyed with family and while sipping hot cocoa. The production at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, follows Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, veterans of the Second World War turned powerhouse performing duo (played by James Clow and Jeremy Benton). The story revolves around the wise-cracking pair as they chase after singing sisters Judy and Betty (Kaitlyn Davidson and Trista Moldovan) to Vermont during the Christmas season, expecting snow and instead getting romance, friendship and musical theater! It’s not a very heavy show in case you couldn’t tell by the title. Accompanied by beautiful tunes by Irvin Berlin, this is a story that is inside many Americans’ Christmas memories. Continue Reading