Motown the Musical at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts

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There was never a moment when my dad was not listening to music. He was particularly fond of bluegrass, country, and “the oldies,” and inevitably, I found myself drawn to those music genres. So much of our country’s history was shaped by music. Motown, in particular, changed the music scene in America forever. In honor of that time in our country’s history, Motown the Musical was created and debuted in 2013.

Consideration provided by the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Motown Music

In 1959, Berry Gordy, Jr. founded Motown Records, which eventually 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 more. These artists shaped the distinct, iconic Motown Sound, changing American music forever. Between 1960 and 1969, seventy-nine Motown albums made it to the Billboard’s Top Ten. The style, which was developed by the African-American-owned company, broke racial barriers and integrated into America’s pop music world.

Motown the Musical

Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown the Musical tells the American dream story of Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to music mogul. The musical features more than 40 classic hits including “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The musical is based on Gordy’s autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown and the history of the Motown record label. It tells the story behind these classic hits as Ross, Robinson, White, and the Motown family fight against the odds to create a soundtrack that changed America.

Pre-Show Activities

Motown the Musical will perform at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts December 19 – 24, 2017. Arrive one hour before the show to enjoy a variety of free, pre-show activities.

The Sound of Motown: These 45-minute programs will tell the Motown story with insider stories and historic videos of Motown’s early publicist Al Abrams. Guests can also see an exhibit of rare photographs and costume’s from Detroit’s Motown Museum.

Before the December 20 – 23rd evening performances, R&B singer Roderick Chambers will perform varied Motown selections.

Pre-show events are as follows:

December 20 – 23rd, 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm
December 23rd, 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm

Motown the Musical Tickets and Information

Single tickets for Motown the Musical start at $29. Showtimes are as follows:

December 19 – 21, 2017 at 7:30 pm
December 22, 2017, 1 pm and 7:30 pm
December 23, 2017, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
December 24, 2017, 1 pm

For additional information, visit SCFTA.org.

Images: Joan Marcus/Segerstrom Center for the Arts

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.