Berry Gordy (center) joins Smokey Robinson (second from left) along with family and friends on the red carpet. (Valerie Goodloe photo)
Berry Gordy, Jr (Valerie Goodloe photo)
Berry Gordy, speaks with Sentinel Managing Editor Brandon I. Brooks (Troy Tieuel photo)
Motown’s Berry Gordy Jr. has a rich history of musical genius, business savvy, marketing and a sound that has stretched through the decades and culminated at the Pantages Theater for the second season of the hit play ‘Motown the Musical.’ The musical adaption of Gordy’s book titled ‘To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown’ features music from Motown artists the Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, Rick James and others.
“The play runs three hours, and all three hours are full of hits,” said actor and film producer Leon Isaac Kennedy. “Also it is a very candid, emotional story of Berry Gordy’s life and what he went through, teaching people, helping people, inspiring people into a dream, and that dream affected the entire world. It will outlive all of us. It’s a great story, a great play, a great life.”
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the play chronicles the rise of Motown founder and music icon Berry Gordy and stars Julius Thomas III as a charismatic Berry Gordy and Allison Semmes as a lovable Diana Ross.
‘Motown the Musical’ also features some fabulous performers who each sing, dance and act including Patrice Covington who plays Mrs. Edna Anderson whose was an activist and assistant to Berry Gordy.
Trisha Jeffries, left and Julius Thomas III, right, both perform in the Motown play. Thomas stars as Berry Gordy Jr. and Jeffries plays in the ensemble. (Troy Tieuel photo)
“It’s totally awesome to be a part of such an iconic and legendary production,” said Covington. “It’s fun, just telling the story every night. It’s such a part of American History and it’s so meaningful, even until today with the songs that are reflecting what is happening. ” Covington also plays Martha Reeves and sings her 1965 hit, ‘Dancing in the Streets.’
Berry Gordy’s dream to make it big in show business and questionable business savvy comes together with a rich soundtrack that has become interwoven into America’s cultural tapestry. Such songs include the Jackson 5’s ‘ABC,’ the Temptation’s ‘My Girl,’ and Tina Marie’s ‘Square Biz.’
Leon Outlaw Jr., who plays young Michael Jackson, felt good about his performance in Sunday’s premier performance.
“[Performing on Motown the Musical] has been great. Not allot of thirteen year olds get to do this,” said an excited Outlaw. “This is a big blessing. It took us about three weeks [of rehearsal with the Los Angeles cast] before we started rehearsing on stage.” Outlaw plays the young Berry Gordy, Michael Jackson and the young Stevie Wonder.
Peppered with humor just as it is with music, ‘Motown the Musical’ is a delight for all audiences and all age groups and a must see for any musical historian. Smooth set transitions that were generated form several reflective bars moving around to create scenes such as dance halls, concert venues, and office spaces combined with unique lighting effects help set the mood for the various scenes.
Background pieces descend from the ceiling and roll in from the sides as each set is broken down and rebuilt. The pieces include a door frame and roof awning that along with the sign above labeled “Hitsvill U.S.A.” and a backlit sheet printed with a residential street that goes off into an unseen vanishing point allow the viewer to use their imagination to fill in the blanks.
The only thing not left to the imagination is the sound of the Motown artists, including arguably the greatest Motown diva, Dianna Ross. Played by Allison Semmes, Ross’ unique voice, along with her passive aggressive personality, shined through as Semmes brought her from high school intern begging for a chance to sing to full-fledged pop icon adored by all. Semmes’ voice moved the crowd to their feet as she belted off hit after hit, including Ross’ climactic first single, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.’
Allison Semmes is captivating as Diana Ross.
Costume designer Esosa, known for winning the 2011 Ovation Award for Pasadena Playhouse’s ‘Twist,’ teamed up with set designer David Korins, who has designed sets for artists such as Kanye West and won an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Design. Together they recreated classic scenes such as Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5’s 1969 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show with its 70’s inspired brown panel backdrop and Diana Ross’ first solo performance where she wore a fluffy red coat over a fitting sequence gown.
“The show was incredible,” said actor Darrin Dewitt Henson. “Charles Randolph-Wright did a great job directing this. I’m very happy that the people of Los Angeles will able to get a chance to have a Broadway experience, and to allow their cultivation here in Los Angeles.”
Motown the Musical will be playing until Sunday, Jun 7, 2015 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, California. For more information, go to http://www.motownthemusical.com/.
The Supremes.
Smokey Robinson.
