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| Temptations -Motown the Musical |
I have always loved the Motown sound. If
you are like me, you feel some kind of connection to it that always brings your feet moving, your head
bopping and your mouth singing. That might have been why I had a “musician
connection” for many years before I started this blog that had me listening to
this type of music. Although I took a
reprieve from it in my empty- nest
period, when I heard that the Pittsburgh
Broadway Series was bringing Motown The Musical to town, I was ready to experience
that Motown sound again because it’s the type of music that you just can’t get
enough of!
Reflection
The musical is based on the founder of
Motown, Berry Gordy’s autobiography To Be
Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown . The show begins in 1983 at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Motown with the Temptations and the Four Tops energizing the
stage with their sound and dance moves. Then the music keeps going with 66 total songs from Smoky Robinson, Marvin Gay, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Jackson 5 and more!
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| Gordy starts his record label |
Motown not only captures the excitement of the music but also the development of Gordy’s
empire. We are taken back to 1938 where
a young Gordy was enamored with the Joe Louis (African-American) vs. Max
Schmeling (a German) boxing match, which was the focus of African American
pride at this time. As a boy Gordy excitedly remarks,“Louis is black like me” as his father encourages him to always
remember to be the best, work hard, and trust God.
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| Diana and Supremes |
Berry Gordy’s ( Kenneth Mosley) determination for the best took him from
featherweight boxer, to song writer, to the Motown label that launched the careers of Smokey Robinson,
Steve Wonder, Diana Ross and Michel Jackson and more.
During this musical we are there for the ride and enjoy the music
that we all know the words to and love to hear over and over again.
Of course we see discovery of the young Diana Ross (Ternyce) and the
Supremes as they burst into “"Stop! In the Name of Love". Then we enjoy the
ride of her solo career debut in Las Vegas as she sings, “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s
Hand)”.
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| Jackson 5 |
The recreation of all the artists woven though-out
Gordy’s story were fantastic. I especially enjoyed Ternyce as Diana during
this Vegas show which made us all feel like we were there. The Jackson 5 medley (ABC watch) with young Michael (Kia Calhown) brought a burst of audience applause. My mother particularly enjoyed the
crisp moves and harmonies of the Temptations.
This show was a celebration of music and the history
that brought white and black America
together. It ended with the touching real footage from the 1983 25th Anniversary Celebration of Motown. I say join in on the celebration with Motown the Musical and remember the sound
that we can’t get enough of.
(Motown the Musical runs through Nov 21-26 (excluding Nov 23) at the Benedum Center. For tickets go to Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.)
Spiritual Refection
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (Colossians 2:23)
Other sources
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust https://trustarts.org/
Broadway tour schedule http://www.motownthemusical.com/
Joe Louis fight https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Louis_vs._Max_Schmeling