Originally Posted by
revvy
Hey everyone!
I saw the show last night and I thought it was GREAT! I was very pleased with the production and the cast was phenomenal. Most of what has been reported here is accurate. The show is indeed 3 hours long [[but that didn't bother me in the least!). The time just raced by...and so did the show. I sat first row center balcony so my view was the best in the house. I loved the giant Motown "M" on the main curtain as the audience took their places.
I will say most elements of the production are a cross between "Jersey Boys" and "Baby It's You". The War [[What Is It Good For?) segment was very reminiscent of "Hair". Brandon Victor Dixon [[Berry) is a fine actor and had some great singing moments. Valisia LeKae [[Diana) was fantastic and certainly got the early Diana "sound" down very well. Charl Brown [[Smokey) was outstanding. If I closed my eyes, I would have sworn it was Smokey singing. Once again, however, it was little Michael Jackson who was the crowd pleaser. Tonight the actor was Raymond Luke, Jr. and he was sensational. He also played Little Stevie Wonder. He isn't the understudy. There are 2 actors who "share" the role, much like in "Billy Elliot". The actors playing Marvin Gaye and older Stevie Wonder were very good as well. The Tempts had a great blend and the Four Tops and Mary Wells were also well-represented.
Because this was only the 3rd night of previews, there are some elements to revise and even cut as would be expected. As stated by another poster, the Doris Day and Tony Bennett elements need to be eliminated. The reference to HDH needs to be better explained. The actors never stated that HDH stands for Holland Dozier Holland and that they were the writers of all the great Motown hits. The "Tears of a Clown" segment needs to go unfortunately. Charl sings the song spot-on, but the choreography of the dancers and the "puppet without a string with the stupid doll smile" was unnecessary. I would guess the choreographer was given creative freedom with this number, but it just didn't work. The Diana solo segment was very good. I thought her enticing of the audience to "Reach Out and Touch", join hands and sway to the music was a nice touch, however plucking a woman from the audience to sing with her was embarrassingly awkward. Had it been a plant, it would have gone over much better, but taking a TERRIFIED patron who doesn't even know the words to the song [[as in the case last night) was uncomfortable.
The costumes and choreography strangely enough were not exact replicas of the originals. They were very close, however. I wonder if there is a legal reason for that. A true Motown fan would notice the closeness in representation to the Supremes halter tops of the Diana, Mary, Cindy period. The Jackson 5 costumes were practically identical. I had to say I was a bit disappointed that the Tempts "My Girl" and Contours "Do You Love Me?" choreography wasn't exactly like the original. I'm sure there were copyright issues involved.
The beauty of the show is how the music was so reflective of what was going on in society at the time. It was great to reminisce of what life used to be...the good, bad and the ugly. It was a bit disappointing to see teenagers and young adults in the audience wearing sweats and sloppy clothes. Most adults were smartly dressed and respectful.
I could go on and on with more detail, but you all get the drift. I gave the show 8 out of 10. My date gave it 7 out of 10. It was a great night of entertainment and I'm sure it will be even more polished in a few months time. The show is definitely a hit and will run for a good amount of time if tweaked properly.
As a Detroiter, I was proud to be there and to represent the talent that came out of her. Long may she wave. Enjoy the show!
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