'Motown' buzz heats up as musical arrives in Detroit

[marv2]

http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/10/21/motown-musical-audtions/17686327/

[jobeterob]

'Motown' buzz heats up as musical arrives in Detroit


Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press Pop Music Writer 8:08 p.m. EDT October 21, 2014

Detroit is set for its splash of Broadway glitz.

Berry Gordy Jr.'s "Motown: The Musical" will roll out the red carpet Wednesday night at the Fisher Theatre, 18 months after making its New York debut.

Gordy, Smokey Robinson and Mary Wilson are among the Motown luminaries expected to attend the formal opening ceremonies for "Motown," which staged a warm-up performance at the Fisher on Tuesday night.

With the buzz heating up, more than 300 hopefuls descended Tuesday onto the Motown Museum to audition for future spots in the musical, which has embarked on a multiyear, 60-city tour and will continue to play Broadway through January. The show will make its London premiere next summer.


Hundreds of people stand in line to audition for “Motown:
Hundreds of people stand in line to audition for “Motown: The Musical” at the Motown Museum in Detroit. [[Photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell Detroit Free Press )


A line stretched up the West Grand Boulevard sidewalk and into the museum — where some had been waiting since 5 a.m. — as local singers such as Detroiter Mel Benners, 29, came armed with dreams, head shots and a Motown song to perform for casting personnel.


Many got the honor of auditioning in Motown's vaunted Studio A, their voices bouncing off the same walls where Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and other stars once laid down hit tracks.

"The songs people walk in to sing were recorded right here," said casting associate Cesar Roche. "It's unreal."

Gordy and show director Charles Randolph-Wright made the rounds at one point, stopping for an impromptu performance of Pharrell Williams' "Happy" by 9-year-old Chase Harris.


Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, listens to
Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, listens to callback auditions for “Motown: The Musical” at the Motown Museum on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. [[Photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell Detroit Free Press )


Benners' bold, emphatic rendition of "Dancing in the Street" was enough to earn her one of the day's cherished red tickets — a callback for a second audition. She could face tryouts in dancing, acting and more singing before landing a role.

"Just the fact I made it this far is enough," said Benners, a singing instructor. But if she were to make the show, "I'll probably cry every day for a month."


The jitters and aspirations of Tuesday will give way to flashbulbs and glitter Wednesday night at the Fisher, where Motown figures and local celebrities are expected for the red-carpet festivities.

Gordy, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and singer Michael Bolton were among more than 500 guests who attended a Motown Homecoming Reception Tuesday night at the Roostertail. Motown alumni such as Duke Fakir, Martha Reeves, Dennis Coffey and Claudette Robinson were also on hand for the event during which Duggan presented Gordy with a key to the city.

"What you've done for our community can never be measured," the mayor said.

"Now you all can never lock me out," Gordy replied.

"Motown: The Musical" will play the Fisher through Nov. 16. Ticket info: www.broadwayindetroit.com.

[thanxal]

Really nice to read. The fact that Studio A still has music "bouncing off the walls" is fantastic and a tribute to the city and to Motown's legacy there. When most Detroit stories are negative and dismissive, this one shows hope and optimism. Good for them!

[stingbeelee]

Here is a continuation of the party at the Roostertail with the Motown alumni singing "Hitsville USA. Please go to the website for pictures and a video of the Motown alumni singing the motown company song: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/theater/2014/10/21/motown-musical-roostertail/17684193/

Story by Susan Whitall:

An array of Motown stars and former staffers are gathering Tuesday evening ahead of Wednesday's premiere of "Motown: The Musical"

Singer Michael Bolton was the surprise entertainment Tuesday night at the Motown Homecoming at the Roostertail.

"This music is in my DNA," Bolton said, before performing 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough.' This is the music I grew up with in Connecticut."

The gala was part of the celebratory events surrounding Wednesday's Detroit premiere of "Motown: The Musical" at the Fisher Theatre.

The Chairman himself, Berry Gordy, arrived just before the presentations started, proclaiming "I feel great," as his singers and staffers pressed in to hug him.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan presented Gordy with a key to the city, which the Motown founder held up like a boxing trophy as Mason boomed out "Berry Gordy, music champion of the world!"

"It's such a thrill to bring the Motown story back here where it all started," Gordy said, before inducing some of his stars to join him in singing the company song.

"Motown: The Musical" is the origin story of the iconic Detroit record company founded by Gordy in 1959.

Stevie Wonder told The Deroit News on Friday that he was going to try to make it in from California as he felt Gordy was "one of the two most under appreciated people in music" [[the other being B.B. King).

The Roostertail has special significance in Motown history, as the site of "Motown Mondays," where in the 1960s WKNR disc jockey Scott Regen hosted the label's acts, including the Supremes and Four Tops, at the Detroit riverfront restaurant owned by the Schoenith family.

The "Motown Homecoming" was open to VIP ticketholders, with proceeds from the $500 tickets going to benefit the Motown Historical Museum.

John Mason emceed and Duggan and Rep. John Conyers spoke as Martha Reeves, Claudette Robinson of the Miracles, Katherine Anderson Schaffner of The Marvelettes, Duke Fakir of the Four Tops, former sales chief Berne Ales and other Motown alums circulated and caught up with friends.

To order tickets for "Motown: The Musical," go to broadwayindetroit.com.

[motony]

glad Kat was there.

[Roberta75]

The first Lady of Motown Dr Martha reeves performed last night and look like a million bucks.

Roberta

[jobeterob]

Love the song; thanks for putting it up.

[theboyfromxtown]

Fabulous video..Bob Bateman's bass voice sounding good

[stingbeelee]

You're welcome! When I saw the video, I said wow! Everyone seemed to have a good time.

[Roberta75]

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6289334/motown-the-musical-feels-the-love-back-in-the-motor-city

[no_place_like_motown]

Motown the Musical comes home...truly wonderful!

[marv2]

"The Supremes?"! No, not really. It is Mary Wilson and Florence Ballards' daughters attend the event.

[Roberta75]

"The Supremes?"! No, not really. It is Mary Wilson and Florence Ballards' daughters attend the event.

Thats a real cute photo. Dianes daughter Rhonda Ross Kendrick was there last night. i wonder if Turkessa Ferrer Babich was there with her mom?

Roberta

[stingbeelee]

Please check the article and video in today's Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2014/10/22/motown-musical-detroit-opening-night/17754419/

Berry Gordy! Martha Reeves! Stevie Wonder! Cal Gill! Claudette Robinson! Mickey Stevenson! Mary Wilson! Smokey Robinson! And others on stage. Wow!

[stingbeelee]

And the article in the Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/theater/2014/10/22/motown-musical-berry-gordy-motown-reunion-motown/17751941/

[Roberta75]

This link was already posted hours ago by smarks21.

http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?12868-Motown-Family-Gathers-for-Detroit-Opening-Night

Roberta

[marv2]

Please check the article and video in today's Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2014/10/22/motown-musical-detroit-opening-night/17754419/

Berry Gordy! Martha Reeves! Stevie Wonder! Cal Gill! Claudette Robinson! Mickey Stevenson! Mary Wilson! Smokey Robinson! And others on stage. Wow!

Great pictures! Berry Gordy was dancing up a storm LOL! Al Abrams was there also.

[stingbeelee]

Sorry! Jobeterob had already started a thread regarding the opening night.

[marv2]

Sorry! Jobeterob had already started a thread regarding the opening night.

Well I started this one and thank you for your contributions Stingbeelee! No need to apologize.

[skooldem1]

That picture of Mary and Flo's daughters is funny. Florence's daughters look like they are thinking "look at auntie Mary acting all extra". LOL.

[marv2]

Motown Alumni and originals.......Al and Nancy Abrams on the red carpet!

[marv2]

Can you believe the number of legends they had in Detroit the other night........

[marv2]

I bought my first sofa from that guy standing between Duke Fakir and Berry Gordy.......Mr. Art Van! LOL!!!

[REDHOT]

I'm sure bringing the Broadway Hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL,to the home of Motown Detroit,was a Blast,glad to hear a lot of the Motown people were there like Mary Wilson Smokey Robinson,Martha Reeves,Stevie Wonder,Duke Fakir,Claudette Robinson Mickey Stevenson,and others,

[marv2]

I'm sure bringing the Broadway Hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL,to the home of Motown Detroit,was a Blast,glad to hear a lot of the Motown people were there like Mary Wilson Smokey Robinson,Martha Reeves,Stevie Wonder,Duke Fakir,Claudette Robinson Mickey Stevenson,and others,

I hope more videotape of this event surfaces soon. It was quite historic!

[marv2]

More media coverage of Motown the Musical in Detroit:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/entertainment/images-motown-the-musical-opens-in-detroit/29298926

[marv2]

and more.....

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/10/23/motown-the-musical-opens-to-rave-reviews-in-detroit/