Motown The Musical in its current Broadway tours run at the Orpheum, wows their audience on so many levels. We went last night, anticipating the beautiful renditions of what put the Black sound on the map with the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and so many others.
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Touching for me was a little young man reliving the life of Michael Jackson and his brothers. My own life grew up with the Jackson Five, and I remember ‘ABC’ like it was yesterday. That could bring tears in memory. But the real showcase of the night had to be the recreation of DIana Ross and the Supremes on stage. The actor emulated the beauty of DIana’s spontaneity and passion for life, and simulating her relationship with Barry Gordon the creator of Motown, the concept of ‘love’ is addressed.
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That’s really the takeaway from this Hennepin Theatre Trust’s current run of ‘Motown the Musical’ through the 28th of December. That element of ‘love’ so forgotten by the constraints of our society is sorely missed today. From the important movement of ‘blackl ives matter’ and the confusion that exists in our societal relations today, this movie suggests why Motown was ever an inspiration in the first place.
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Along the way there are history lessons that though the cast parodies for audience appeal were very real in the 60’s & 70’s. This musical reminds us of a different time, though still rampant with the same needs today. We still, when all is said and done, must learn to ‘love’ one another.

© Thom Amundsen 2014