Segerstrom Center to Offer Free Pre-Show Events for MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
By: BWW News Desk Dec. 14, 2017
In 1959, the American music scene changed forever: Berry Gordy, Jr. founded Motown Records, and, as the saying goes, "the hits just keep on coming." Motown gave the world Diana Ross and The Supremes, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Miracles, Jackie Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells and countless other artists who created the distinctive and now iconic Motown Sound. Seventy-nine Motown albums made it to Billboard's Top Ten between 1960 and 1969. The appeal of Motown's distinctive and irresistible style developed by this African-American-owned company broke racial barriers and effectively integrated America's pop music world.
The Tony Award-nominated Broadway hit, Motown the Musical coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts December 19 - 24, tells the American dream story of Gordy's journey from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul. And - 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' that the Center won't climb to make your Motown the Musical experience a chart topper.
Motown the Musical audiences and Motown music fans are invited to enjoy The Sound of Motown free pre-performance events on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. These 45-minute programs will tell the Motown story with insider tales and historic videos of Motown's early publicist Al Abrams from a 2010 lecture at the University of Michigan. There will be an exhibit of rare photographs and costumes from Detroit's Motown Museum.
Before the December 20 - 23 evening performances, popular R&B singer Roderick Chambers will perform selections from the vast Motown catalogue. Chambers soulful voice and smooth musical style is reminiscent of some of the greatest pop, soul and R&B artists of our time.
These essential Motown the Musical pre-show events are Wednesday - Saturday, December 20 - 23 from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. performances and Saturday, December 23 from 1 - 1:45 p.m. before the 2 p.m. matinee. For more information about Motown the Musical and The Sound of Motown, visit www.SCFTA.org - or - wait until you hear it "through the grapevine."
The Motown Sound is one of many exciting and fun year-round activities being planned for the Center's new Julianne and George Argyros Plaza - all free. On many nights, these will add to the ambience for visitors who simply want to enjoy a glass of wine or an al fresco dinner with friends at the Center 360 cafe?. Other evenings will offer special free pre-show activities such as The Motown Sound to enhance and enrich the audience's experience. Dance, music, family-friendly entertainment and festivals will provide wonderful new opportunities for the county's many diverse communities to socialize, experience the arts and connect culturally.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is committed to supporting artistic excellence, offering unsurpassed experiences and to engaging the entire community in new and exciting ways through the unique power of live performance and a diverse array of inspiring arts-based education and community engagement programs.
Previously called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Center is Orange County's largest non-profit arts organization. The Center presents a broad range of programming for audiences of all ages, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family- friendly programming and free performances on the Center's Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, including free movie screenings, live performances, special holiday events and festivals to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the county.
Segerstrom Center is a leader among the nation's performing arts centers for providing education programs designed to inspire young people through the arts. These reach hundreds of thousands of students each year in five Southern California counties. Community engagement programs developed through the Center for Dance and Innovation and Center Without Boundaries also connect the Center more comprehensively with Orange County's many diverse communities. The CDI supports flagship artistic programming and a wide range of projects that celebrate innovation, nurture creativity and engage audiences of the future. It is home to the American Ballet William J. Gillespie School and the School of Dance and Music for Children with Disabilities. The Center Without Boundaries develops partnerships with non-cultural organizations to help them in their own efforts to respond the ever-changing needs of the community.
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Segerstrom Hall
December 19 - 24, 2017
Tuesday - Thursday December 19 - 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday December 22 at 1 and 7:30 p.m
Saturday December 23 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday December 24 at 1 p.m.
Tickets start at $29.
THE SOUND OF MOTOWN
Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Julianne and George Argyros Plaza
Wednesday - Friday December 20 - 22 from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Saturday December 23 from 1 - 1:45 p.m. and 6:30-7:15 p.m.
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
www.scfta.org
Free, non-ticketed
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