KidsOutAndAbout reviews Motown The Musical
by David Ross
Motown The Musical, playing at the Auditorium Theatre through Sunday, November 15, 2015, is jam-packed with the songs that made Motown famous and beloved. If you’re someone—there must be five or six of you in this country—whose mood isn’t brightened by the Motown Sound, who doesn’t sing along to Stevie Wonder, the Jackson Five, the Supremes, the Marvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, then you may want to skip this show. And I hope that one day you’re cured. Everyone else is going to love 2-and-a-half hours immersed in the rhythms, the harmonies, the soul, the class, and the joyous exuberance that made Motown Motown.
“I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.” These are the opening lyrics of the Temptations’ biggest hit, “My Girl,” which may be the most beautifully covered song in a show that is essentially one fantastic cover after another. And, they’re a description of what Motown’s music is all about. If you’re taking your kids to this show, which I think you should, make sure they’re looking for this lovely perspective.
The Story
The story of the show is the story of Berry Gordy and Motown told in Forrest Gump-ish flashbacks to historical incidents and eras of the mid twentieth century. It spans the period from 1938—specifically the second Louis-Schmeling fight, which inspired young Berry—to 1983—specifically a celebration, featuring all of its recording stars, of Motown’s 25th anniversary. Mr. Gordy was Motown’s founder and visionary. He was a talent scout, a record producer, and a manager, responsible for discovering and cultivating the talents of the incredible collection of musicians that produced the Motown catalog. He also wrote or co-wrote many of the great Motown hits. An extremely impressive man.
Mr. Gordy agrees with this estimation: He wrote the show, which is a tribute to his remarkable achievements. This is pretty odd, if you think about it. So don’t think about it: Enjoy the music.
The writing of the show is flat at best, with some notably awkward lines and a couple of groaners. But no matter; Mr. Gordy had the good sense to put the music front and center, where it belongs. On the order of 50 wonderful songs are present in the show.
The Actors
The actors who play the roles of Motown stars, and sing the songs, are very good across the board. Ashley Tamar Davis and Josh Tower, as Diana Ross and Berry Gordy, are the stars, and they are both excellent. Ms. Davis sings beautifully. And she does in her role what the rest of the singers in the cast do in theirs: She doesn’t imitate Diana Ross; rather, she sings in her own style, but in the spirit of Diana Ross’s original rendition. This is a very appealing approach, and Ms. Davis, Dana Marie Ingraham, and Krisha Marcano knock several Supremes tunes right out of the park.
Other actors who stand out are young Nathaniel Cullors, who’s convincing, engaging, and simply delightful as the young Michael Jackson (my 14-year-old daughter Ella loved him in this role), and Elijah Ahmad Lewis, who completely captures Stevie Wonder’s vocal approach and glowing personal charm.
The Audience: Is this show a good fit for my family?
Yes, absolutely. Your kids will likely love the music. And the show’s weak points—the poor writing and the odd self-congratulatory structure of the thing—are things to which kids are likely to be indifferent. The story—an ambitious man sets out to make his mark by writing and producing wonderful music, and succeeds—is accessible and understandable to kids, and it’s an admirable and uplifting story.
With that said, I have a few minor warnings.
There’s some foul language in the show. I didn’t count, but there are maybe half a dozen utterances that would have gotten Ralphie Parker’s mouth washed out with soap. I wish they’d been omitted, but I have to grant that they work in the show, and produce a couple of the comic highlights. (Diana Ross’s comment to Gordy when he tells her that her first solo single is to be a waltz, is great. Crude, but great.)
There is also frank talk about race, and in one or two spots ugly incidents of bigotry are depicted and these include awful racial epithets. Surprisingly, one of these turns into a comic high point too, with Motown’s economic muscle putting a bigoted buffoon in his place.
And, there is a scene of Gordy and Diana Ross in bed. It’s a Bob Newhart/Suzanne Pleshette sort of scene, tasteful and funny, not crass. There’s some amusing and inoffensive, but definitely sexual, banter that will probably pass right over the heads of younger kids. (Regarding this scene, having Diana get out of the bed and begin to sing “I Hear a Symphony”—the Supremes seem to have been waiting in the hallway to provide backup—would be an eye-widening, chuckle-inducing dramatic move in any case. Given the nature of the banter with Gordy, well, it’s quite weird…but let that go! It’s “I Hear a Symphony!” Another great song, and that’s what this show is all about.)
Before the Show
Listen to Motown tunes with your kids. If they recognize the songs, they’ll enjoy them that much more more. You can find a full list of the tunes in the show online at MotownTheMusical.com. Your kids have probably heard some of the top songs in the show: “Dancin’ in the Street,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” “ABC,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “My Girl,” “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “What’s Going On.” If they haven’t, now’s the time to rectify this parenting lapse.
If you cover some 20th century history with your children, particularly the Civil Rights Movement, the war in Vietnam, and the social turmoil that accompanied them, this will help your kids follow the story of the show.
Bottom Line
My daughter Ella and I loved this show. We both love Motown music, and we both love sharing that. During intermission, we chatted with others in the audience. Everyone was beaming with love for the music, and everyone had a story about his or her history with it.
Take your kids to Motown The Musical and enjoy some of the best pop songs there are: Summer’s here (at the Auditorium, anyway), and the time is right for dancin’ in the street.
Motown The Musical is playing at the Auditorium Theater through Sunday, November 15, 2015. Running time is 2 hours, 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
Show Schedule:
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 - 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - 7:30pm
Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 7:30pm
Friday, November 13, 2015 - 8:00pm
Saturday, November 14, 2015 - 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Sunday, November 15, 2015 - 1:00pm & 6:30pm
Age Recommendation: 10+
© 2015, KidsOutAndAbout.com. Photo credits: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL First National Tour © Joan Marcus, 2014.
David Ross is technically a mathematician, but writes a darned good show review.