antceleb12
01-19-2015, 11:53 AM
For Christmas, I was given tickets to see the final day of "Motown" on Broadway. I knew it was popular, but little did I know just how crazy it was gonna be!
When we approached the theatre, there was a 'U'-shaped line stretching to and from both ends of the block just to get into the theatre. That was 1:45. At 2:00, the show began. At 2:15, they finally finished seating everybody. The theatre was PA-ACKED. Bumping elbows is an understatement. The minute the music started, there was so much excitement throughout the theatre. The beginning of every song brought cheers and clapping from faithful fans in the audience, which consisted of those who grew up in Motown's heyday and a younger generation equally in love [[at least by the time they got out of the show) with the Motown sound. The music, the harmonies, the choreography, and costumes were absolutely stunning and, for the most part, faithful to the original arrangements.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Probably the greatest original artist recreations include the artists who played Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. One of the greatest moments was during "Reach Out and Touch" when Diana had everyone hold hands with those around them and sing. The roof almost blew off the roof with so much sound!
I was so surprised to see a number of relatively-obscure pieces and bits of information most casual fans wouldn't know. For example, 'the Supremes' performed "Breathtaking Guy," "Buttered Popcorn," [[THRILLING to see finally included), "The Happening," and even "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You." Their harmonies and their poses and gestures were incredibly faithful to the Supremes' performances. The Jackie Wilson and Jr. Walker bits were a great surprise, too. I do wish more on the Marvelettes and Four Tops had been included, but even still this show was one of the most exciting shows I've ever seen.
As of today, it begins its U.S. tour. If you have not seen it, it is a MUST. SEE. Here's a list of the cities its coming to, although I don't like its a complete list:
Buffalo, NY Jan. 20 - Jan. 25, 2015 Shea's Performing Arts Center
Boston, MA Jan. 27 - Feb. 15, 2015 Boston Opera House
Durham, NC Feb. 17 - Feb. 22, 2015 Durham Performing Arts Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL Feb. 24 - Mar. 8, 2015 Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Orlando, FL Mar. 10 - Mar. 15, 2015 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Tampa, FL Mar. 17 - Mar. 22, 2015 Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Omaha, NE Mar. 25 - Mar. 29, 2015 Orpheum Theater
Denver, CO Mar. 31 - Apr. 19, 2015 Buell Theatre
Tempe, AZ Apr. 21 - Apr. 26, 2015 ASU Gammage
Los Angeles, CA Apr. 28 - Jun. 7, 2015 Pantages Theatre
San Diego, CA Jun. 9 - Jun. 14, 2015 Civic Center
Costa Mesa, CA Jun. 16 - Jun. 28, 2015 Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Milwaukee, WI Jul. 7 - Jul. 12, 2015 Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Memphis, TN Jul. 14 - Jul. 19, 2015 Orpheum Theatre
Houston, TX Jul. 21 - Jul. 26, 2015 Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Dallas, TX Jul. 28 - Aug. 16, 2015 Winspear Opera House
Atlanta, GA Aug. 18 - Aug. 23, 2015 Fox Theatre
Charlotte, NC Aug. 25 - Sep. 6, 2015 Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
http://www.motownthemusical.com/tour.php
When we approached the theatre, there was a 'U'-shaped line stretching to and from both ends of the block just to get into the theatre. That was 1:45. At 2:00, the show began. At 2:15, they finally finished seating everybody. The theatre was PA-ACKED. Bumping elbows is an understatement. The minute the music started, there was so much excitement throughout the theatre. The beginning of every song brought cheers and clapping from faithful fans in the audience, which consisted of those who grew up in Motown's heyday and a younger generation equally in love [[at least by the time they got out of the show) with the Motown sound. The music, the harmonies, the choreography, and costumes were absolutely stunning and, for the most part, faithful to the original arrangements.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Probably the greatest original artist recreations include the artists who played Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. One of the greatest moments was during "Reach Out and Touch" when Diana had everyone hold hands with those around them and sing. The roof almost blew off the roof with so much sound!
I was so surprised to see a number of relatively-obscure pieces and bits of information most casual fans wouldn't know. For example, 'the Supremes' performed "Breathtaking Guy," "Buttered Popcorn," [[THRILLING to see finally included), "The Happening," and even "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You." Their harmonies and their poses and gestures were incredibly faithful to the Supremes' performances. The Jackie Wilson and Jr. Walker bits were a great surprise, too. I do wish more on the Marvelettes and Four Tops had been included, but even still this show was one of the most exciting shows I've ever seen.
As of today, it begins its U.S. tour. If you have not seen it, it is a MUST. SEE. Here's a list of the cities its coming to, although I don't like its a complete list:
Buffalo, NY Jan. 20 - Jan. 25, 2015 Shea's Performing Arts Center
Boston, MA Jan. 27 - Feb. 15, 2015 Boston Opera House
Durham, NC Feb. 17 - Feb. 22, 2015 Durham Performing Arts Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL Feb. 24 - Mar. 8, 2015 Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Orlando, FL Mar. 10 - Mar. 15, 2015 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Tampa, FL Mar. 17 - Mar. 22, 2015 Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Omaha, NE Mar. 25 - Mar. 29, 2015 Orpheum Theater
Denver, CO Mar. 31 - Apr. 19, 2015 Buell Theatre
Tempe, AZ Apr. 21 - Apr. 26, 2015 ASU Gammage
Los Angeles, CA Apr. 28 - Jun. 7, 2015 Pantages Theatre
San Diego, CA Jun. 9 - Jun. 14, 2015 Civic Center
Costa Mesa, CA Jun. 16 - Jun. 28, 2015 Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Milwaukee, WI Jul. 7 - Jul. 12, 2015 Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Memphis, TN Jul. 14 - Jul. 19, 2015 Orpheum Theatre
Houston, TX Jul. 21 - Jul. 26, 2015 Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Dallas, TX Jul. 28 - Aug. 16, 2015 Winspear Opera House
Atlanta, GA Aug. 18 - Aug. 23, 2015 Fox Theatre
Charlotte, NC Aug. 25 - Sep. 6, 2015 Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
http://www.motownthemusical.com/tour.php