BWW Reviews: MOTOWN the Musical at Memphis Orpheum

I grew up on vinyl records, "hit parades" and transistor radios tuned to the AM dial. I love Motown music. Nevertheless, I felt skeptical about a breezy staged extravaganza about Berry Gordy's mercurial career. Five minutes into the opening medley, this tour de force production won me over. Mowtown is NOT your assembly line jukebox musical!

The only unremarkable aspect of this show is its dramatic structure -- bookended by the 1983 Motown Reunion at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, this glossed over account paints complex characters with a rather broad brush to give a cursory version of Gordy's game-changing American success story

With an $800 loan from his family in 1959, Gordy bought a white frame house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, in Detroit, hung a sign that read: "Hitsville USA" over the front door, converted the garage into a recording studio, scouted local working class talent, and within a few years, was selling and releasing more songs than any of his competitors. His stars were so glorious, his musical hooks so infectious, and his subject matter so relatable that the societal wall separating "black music" and "white music" came tumbling down.

If this visually stunning 2 1/2 hour show under-tells, it over-delivers in every other little way -- and thus, at times, feels a bit overwhelming. Packing 60 classic top 40 hits, dozens of iconic characters, and fifty years of history into two acts means the audience and the performaners alike scarcely have time to breathe. (It's not just me. The Chicago Sun Times likend the show to speed dating.) Given that Berry Gordy, himself, wrote the book, it's easy to understand this outcome: He didn't want to leave any hit music out of this true life fairytale biography. (And judging by the baby boomer demographic in the theater, many of whom forgot themselves and sang along, his audience might not have forgiven him if he had.)

Beyond the book, every aspect of this production feels inspired -- from the orchestra let by Darryl Archibald, to the delicious parade of costumes by Esosa, to the convincing array of hairstyles and wigs by Charles G. LaPointe, to the stunningly beautiful scenic desigh by David Korrins. Thanks to Telsey and Company, the casting was superb through and through.

Not only were the actors suited to their roles, but they were also charismatic. Several had performed in the Broadway production of this show. Standouts include the two leads, Josh Tower (as Berry Gordy) and Allison Semmes (who channels Diana Ross), Jesse Nager (as Smokey Robinson,) Martina Sykes (as Mary Wells). Add to this list two young performers who Nathaniel Cullors and Leon Outlaw, Jr. (who alternate in the roles of young Stevie Wonder, Berry Gordy and most notably Michael Jackson.) I saw Cullors on opening night and he's a showstopper! His vocal range, command of the stage, and spot-on portrayals -- most nottably of Michael Jackson made his performance wonderful beyond words.

If you want dazzling broadway level entertainment in your own back yard, I can't recommend this production of Mowtown the Musical highly enough!

"Motown the Musical"
Through July 19 at the Orpheum, 203 S. Main St.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets: Start at $20.
Info: 901-525-3000 and orpheum-memphis.com