BWW Reviews: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, What's Going On?

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL recently opened at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha, taking the packed house captive for 2 hours and 45 minutes with nonstop songs covering 25 years of emerging superstars.

Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and produced by Tony Award winning producer Kevin McCollum (RENT, IN THE HEIGHTS, and AVENUE Q), CEO of SONY Music Entertainment Doug Morris, and Motown founder himself, Berry Gordy, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL takes us on a musical journey from 1957 to 1983. Bookended between glimpses of the 25th anniversary of Motown, the story tells of Mr. Gordy's struggles and successes as the mogul who built the most successful business owned and operated by an African American. Mr. Gordy launched the careers of so many musical giants: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, and more...so many more. In fact, therein lies the problem. In trying to compress these multitudinous success stories into one production, the overall story becomes overwhelming. There are too many artists with too many songs and too little story line.

The national touring cast includes a bushel of talented singers and dancers. Clifton Oliver (Berry Gordy) is a strong vocalist and actor, and is about the only character given the chance to develop a personality. Allison Semmes (Diana Ross) is a crowd favorite, particularly when she leaves the stage to engage the audience The scene bothers me because it feels like a casino lounge act where you drag hapless victims to the microphone to sing along with the pros while the audience laughs at their expense. Allison, however, does a fine impression of the diva, both before and after her diva-hood. She evolves from sweet to glamorous with the expert help of Tony Award nominee costumer designer, ESosa.

Jarran Muse (Marvin Gaye) is not only a wonderful vocalist, he reawakened in me an appreciation for Marvin Gaye and his soulful music. I immediately Googled the late singer and read about his tempestuous life. Even though I had listened to and loved his music "back in the day," I hadn't realized how much of a change artist he was. I only knew him to be the sexiest singer alive.

Reed L. Shannon is a loud favorite with the crowd, not only because he is a kid, but also because the boy can move like a pro and belt out his ABC's like a young Michael Jackson. Jenny Harney (Mary Wells) showed so much raw power in her voice, that one senior citizen in the audience removed his hearing aid. That woman has chops!

Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams commendably choreographed the tightly synced numbers that were so popular with groups such as the Temptations and Four Tops. They still keep me hanging on today. They are as much fun to watch as they are to hear.

David Korins' scenic design wavered between visually brilliant to a ball of confusion. I especially loved the moving vertical and horizontal white beams, but there were times where I either didn't get the concept or I didn't recognize the set pieces (what WERE those two big brown pieces in the center of the stage that looked like they had cables on them?)

As a trip down music's memory lane, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is right on. As an engrossing story that tears at your heart's strings, it falters. I found myself puzzling over the steady stream of artists moving across stage, wondering 'who is that again?' And since it was hard to catch all of the conversation because of some muffled sound, I never did figure out who a handful of people were before they were gone. There was too much and yet too little. Too many people. Too many songs. Too little characterization or plot development. It was like ordering the sampler platter at a restaurant and getting only a bite of this and a bite of that. Maybe it just isn't feasible to tie all these musical icons into one story, even though they all got their start with Motown and Berry Gordy. Mr. Gordy may be the cement, but he doesn't have enough to bind all the personalities together into one coherent, enjoyable story.

Add a little more heart to this soul and you've really got a hold on me.

Jarran Muse as Marvin Gaye & Cast

MoTOWN THE MUSICAL First National Tour

(c) Joan Marcus, 2014

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