Interview: Jesse Nager Talks MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true American dream story of Motown founder, Berry Gordy, who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many, many more. This is an incredible show with incredible music.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts Center at Belk Theater August 25-September 6. Tickets are onsale at Blumenthal Performing Arts Box Office: 704-372-1000.

Jesse Nager, a very talented performer, plays Smokey Robinson, in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. He was on Central Time in Dallas when we caught up, while he was preparing for the show.

LAW: Where are you now?

JN: I'm in Dallas.

LAW: How long have you been on tour with MOTOWN?

JN: My contract with the touring show started in November.

LAW: Tell me about your childhood and how you became an actor.

JN: I was born in Boston. I started to dance at the age-of-five, like Michael Jackson. I moved to New York City when I was ten. In high school, I went to LaGuardia [Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts]. That was crazy.

LAW: What was your first professional job?

JN: I was paid to be in Grease. It was in a tiny theater on Long Island.

LAW: How did you get the role of Smokey Robinson in MOTOWN?

JN: When the show opened, I was playing Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations and understudying Smokey Robinson. They offered me the part when the show went on the road.

LAW: What was your most memorable experience in your profession?

JN: I was doing a show Being Alive with Billy Porter. It's a play Porter created featuring Sondheim music. Sondheim came to our rehearsal and gave great notes. That was very memorable.

LAW: What's your passion and what has inspired you?

JN: I have a love for all kinds of music and LaGuardia High School gave me an incredible insight for all types of music.

LAW: What do you do when your home?

JN: I rest a lot. And I perform with The Broadway Boys.

LAW: Who are The Broadway Boys?

JN: I was asked to do a club show at Birdland covering songs, so I asked my Moma Mia! and Rent friends to sing with me. It was a fun evening! The Broadway Boys is a sextet with six-part harmony. We were then booked at Weston Playhouse in Vermont. I saw that we could play outside New York. We have 30 performers who work between Broadway shows and The Broadway Boys now tours nationwide.

LAW: What's your favorite restaurant back home?

JN: Peter Luger [Steak House]. Get the porterhouse for two, three can eat it.

LAW: What's been your best experience being on the road?

JN: When we were in Los Angeles with MOTOWN. Mr. Gordy [founder of Motown] threw a brunch for all of us at his home. We had such a great time!

LAW: What has been your worst experience being on the road?

JN: 'Being in Boston last winter. There were 6' snowdrifts and it kept snowing. That was the worst. We tried to keep the show open, but people didn't want to travel in that weather. Sometimes there were only 30 people in the audience.

LAW: Do you find there is a difference in the audience depending on what city you are in?

JN: I was just mentioning that to Mr. Gordy's assistant. Our show touches upon the fabric of US culture. We were in St. Louis during the Ferguson trial. We are now in Dallas where JFK was shot. In Memphis, they know all the songs from the beginning, because it's such a music town, but in Dallas, they know and react to the songs starting in the '60s. It's not only the music, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, touches upon the history that has happened in the cities we are now touring. Each audience, whether it is in Los Angeles or Detroit reacts differently seeing the show.

LAW: What will audiences take away from this show?

JN: Besides the music, audiences will learn about behind the scenes of the Motown label. He [Berry Gordy] would find them off the street and make them megastars. In Detroit, he worked in an auto factory and he used that assembly line knowledge for Motown. It's a great show!

LAW: What do you plan to do when you finish touring?

JN: I've learned so much traveling. I would like to help performers get the most out of loyalty and hotel programs, while they're on tour. I'm planning on doing something with that, and I'm going back on tour with The Broadway Boys.