MtheM: The After-Party

[Methuselah2]

http://www.freep.com/article/20130415/ENT/130415003/Diana-Ross-about-Motown-The-Musical-Proud-moment-for-Detroit

http://www.google.com/hostednews/getty/article/ALeqM5ioCrM24vRvbtel1x8eqTPneHRk9g?docId=166648382

[jobeterob]

Diana Ross, about 'Motown: The Musical': Proud moment for Detroit

April 15, 2013 | 1Comments

EmailPrintShare
LinkedIn
Tumblr
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Del.icio.us
Digg
AA The cast of Motown:The Musical, Brandon Victor Dixon, Valisia LeKae and Raymond Luke Jr. gather on stage for the curtain call with Diana Ross and Berry Gordy and Director Charles Randolph-Wright during the opening at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York on Sunday, April 14, 2013.Show Caption
View ThumbsPurchase Image1 of 45Kimberly P. Mitchell/DF
'Motown: The Musical' premiere draws star-studded crowd on Broadway

Purchase Image Zoom Actresses N'Kenge, Rebecca E. Covington and Marva Hicks wave to the audience before the curtain falls during the curtain call for the opening of Motown:The Musical on Broadway at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York on Sunday, April 14, 2013. / Kimberly P. Mitchell/DFP More

Ads by Pulse 360 AdChoices

NEW YORK -- Motown royalty mingled with Broadway star power late Sunday night following the opening of “Motown: The Musical.”

The action moved to the Roseland Ballroom after the three-hour show wrapped, with Berry Gordy Jr. all smiles as he held court in a VIP section at the back of the room. Nearby were Stevie Wonder, nibbling on a late-night dinner, and show stars Brandon Victor Dixon and Valisia LeKae.

Gordy had arrived with Diana Ross, who was still flush with emotions from the spectacle she’d just witnessed at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre -- her first viewing of the show that puts her own life and career in a starring role.

The musical was a proud moment for her hometown Detroit, she said. But Ross’s focus late Sunday was mostly on Gordy and the Motown story he’d just pulled off onstage.

“He’s telling the truth,” she said of her onetime beau, arm in arm as they strode into the party. “He’s trying to get past all the crap that’s been said, all the tension.”

Ross was just there to say her hellos: Gordy escorted her back out to a waiting car after about five minutes of wandering the room. He stopped for a high-powered hob-nob with fellow music mogul David Geffen before heading back into the party.

Guests dined on lobster and coq de vin as the Commodores played a short set just after 11 p.m., drawing boxer Evander Holyfield onto the dance floor for songs such as “Nightshift” and “Brick House.”

• Related: When will 'Motown: The Musical' come to Detroit?

• Related: Meet the cast of 'Motown: The Musical'

• Social media: Buzz about Broadway premiere

The mood was relaxed and upbeat inside the Roseland as cast members celebrated their big night with show producers and director Charles Randolph-Wright.

“We’re all going to party hard, because we’ve been working so hard,” said Saycon Sengbloh, whose roles included Martha Reeves.

Producer Kevin McCollum shared a triumphant hug with director Randolph-Wright, as they reflected on the three-year journey that led to Sunday night.

Earlier, the show’s curtain call had turned into a Motown family love-fest, as Gordy, Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson and others made their way onto the stage for a lively celebration.

The moment was impromptu, McCollum said. Only Gordy had been scheduled to hit the stage.

“Like out of the primordial ocean, people were leaping onto the stage,” he said. “It was total chaos, and very Motown.”