SCHENECTADY - “Motown the Musical,” which is at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady through Sunday, lists almost 60 songs in the program. Each of them should be familiar to everyone in the audience because they were the heartbeat of the country during 1960s, 70s and 80s.
The show pays tribute to music producer Berry Gordy who kept Motown Records at the top of the music charts during this era. Keep in mind it’s not the most balanced view of the music industry as the show was created by Gordy and his strong suit is not humility.
Nonetheless, “Motown the Musical” pays tribute to that era when the name of a record company became synonymous with a genre of music. You might not be able to define the sound of Motown, but as the saying goes - you’ll know it when you hear it.
And hear it you do at Proctors. The two and a half hour show includes titles like “Stop in the Name of Love,” “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “My Girl,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and, of course, “Dancin’ In The Streets.” Adding to the appeal, they are performed by skilled performers who capture the unique talents of the original artists who made them hits. They include legends like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight and a young Michael Jackson.
Clearly the show’s entertainment quotient is high. And, indeed, this is a marvelously performed show which is filled with energy. It’s also warmly nostalgic in a way no tribute show can be. That’s because there is a framework of a story going on between the songs. Granted, at least for the first act it’s more a narrative than it is a true plot. But it’s enough to give a perspective and a little backstory on the music.
The show starts in 1983 as the major stars who made Motown Records gather at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles to pay tribute to the 25th anniversary of the record company. But no one knows if the founder will show up. Gordy is home sulking, feeling neglected and unappreciated. He’s dwelling on how his stars left him for bigger contracts with bigger labels leaving the company in dire financial straits.
For most of the first act we see how he created a national institution and changed the face of music. It’s a vibrant segment filled with hit songs, a lot of hair and shiny suits. It does bog down as the country, the entertainment industry, and the African-American community is affected by the war and assassinations of the 1970s.
The second act tends to focus on Gordy’s obsessive love for Diana Ross. It’s less satisfying than the first act but still filled with great music. Making the act work is the sensational work of Syndee Winters, who has just assumed the role of Diana Ross. Josh Tower is strong throughout as Gordy and he and Winters make an electric couple in the second act. Jevon McFerrin is terrific as the loyal Smokey Robinson. Jarron Muse finds an intriguing outsider quality in his portrayal of Marvin Gaye, which adds depth to the lyrics of his “Heard It Through the Grapevine.” The entire cast is super with Nathaniel Cullers nailing it as the young Michael Jackson.
“Motown the Musical” is an enjoyable show that celebrates the music that made the second half of the 20th century such an exciting time to be a musical artist. If you don’t expect too much from the self-serving story you can have a terrific time at this juke box musical.
“Motown the Musical” continues at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady through Sunday. For tickets and information 346-6204.
Bob Goepfert is the arts editor for the Troy Record.
The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this station or its management.
