BWW Interviews: Allison Semmes as Diana Ross in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL on Tour

As MOTOWN THE MUSICAL continues to tour all over North America, the success of the show is evident. Every city has welcomed the show with open arms and enjoyed the walk down memory lane with iconic figures like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Allison Semmes has the privilege of being part of the touring company playing Ms. Diana Ross herself and recently shared with BWW her experiences on the road and being part of such a historic show.

You grew up in Chicago. What was it like growing up there? How did you first get interested in performing?

I grew up in a musical family. My mother and father are both from musical families as well. Growing up as a child, I had music everywhere from jazz to blues to gospel, classical music even. We would listen to "The Messiah" every Christmas. I started off in the Chicago Children's Choir from the age of six to eighteen. That really opened up my eyes to the transformative universal world of music for me. I travelled the world and it just blew my mind to that world. I also grew up in the church as well, music spiritually through worship. I was in sixth grade when I realized that this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. So this is my passion, this is it. I think I even said I wanted to be on Broadway even though I'd never seen a Broadway show before. In sixth grade, that's when I made the decision. This is my life. And I never turned back. It's been a long bumpy road but it's all worth it.

And I see you studied opera too.

Yes, I think the children' choir really opened up my eyes to classical music. Then I went to the University of Illinois and studied vocal performance and it was in the opera program. But, then after I graduated, I said, "Wait a minute. I don't want to sing opera." I want to be on Broadway, so I moved to New York and it was a toss-up. I threw it up into the universe. If it's meant for me to be in New York then I'll get accepted to the school. I only auditioned for two grad schools, one in Chicago, one in New York. I got accepted (in New York). I said, "I guess that's a sign. I'll keep going with this."

How did you get the opportunity to be a part of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL?

I was a replacement for one of the ensemble members. Actually, she played Florence Ballard in the Supremes. That character also played different ensemble roles and was Diana Ross's understudy. I did that for two months as a replacement and all the while I was really preparing for the time that I would go on for Diana Ross. That was the goal. When I heard that the tour was happening, of course, I jumped on the role. Watching in the wings for so long and now I can really go out for the role that I had in mind. The directors saw something in me and the rest is history.

What is it like playing Diana Ross every night?

It's amazing. I have to say it can be surreal but it's happening. It's like a lucid dream almost. To play such an iconic role, an iconic woman, especially now; I really feel like I am passionate about the message of this show. Not only just having people that have lived it to relive it but people who aren't familiar with that whole era of music and even socially to be exposed to it through the musical. I love it. It's amazing for me. When I was preparing for the role, I studied her non-stop. Even to this day, if I feel like I'm getting a little too comfortable in the role; I'll go back and study as much as I can on her performances. I like to call it YouTube University. There is so much footage from the sixties all the way through when she was performing at Hollywood Bowl. I study all of her performances online. I watch her movies. We've had the opportunity to meet a lot of the Motown living icons. They come and embraced us and gave us their blessings. So that's been amazing.

What is the best part about playing Diana Ross?

I just love singing the Motown music and being a part of the Supremes. There's just so much elegance and class. I love the costumes and also when Diana breaks off and wants to be her own artist, I love telling that journey. The gowns don't hurt either. All of the costumes from different eras, those are so much fun to just go through every era and the fashion of that time. And one magical part for me in the show is when I go out into the audience for "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)." That whole song is really magical. It's a wonderful moment when we break that fourth wall (and) have everyone in the theater singing together, holding hands. That's what I call a magical musical moment.

What are some of your favorite things about being out on the road?

I love travelling and visiting this country; all of the different states; cities that I probably would have never gone to on my own, Louisville, Appleton, Detroit even; the west coast, the east coast, the south, everywhere. It's just great to see this country and the diversity and energy of each city. It's great because we are also following the Motortown Revue path as well. When the Supremes and Marvin Gaye and Martha and the Vandellas, young Stevie Wonder, they also did this trek as well. They were travelling by bus and it was during a little more turbulent time but we're kind of following that tradition.

And I noticed you had a chance to perform with Stevie Wonder. Tell us about that.

He has come to see the show several times. I first met him at the Detroit opening which of course was a huge homecoming of all of the Motown artists. I had the opportunity to meet him. He's been like a mentor of sorts. He really looks out for us. We reconnected in Toronto. Motown was in Toronto and he was having a concert as well. He called me up on the stage and I sang with him. It was life changing. It was such an honor.

Don't miss a chance to see MOTOWN THE MUSICAL as it comes to The Majestic Theatre in San Antonio from May 3-8, 2016. Tickets can be purchased at The Majestic's website.

PHOTO CREDIT: Joan Marcus

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