Motown Gold

Stage West Calgary

Stage West Calgary Reviews

Motown

The Sunday Morning “Somebody-Asked-Me-To, So-Here-I-Go Show Review”: “Motown Gold”, at Stage West Theatre Restaurant, Calgary Alberta Canada

(or, Why I Occasionally Still Get To Appear In Newspapers…)

Sometimes, I just can’t help myself (sugar pie honey-bunch…oh yeah…wait – there’s going to be more…)

What I want to say is:

“This Show Is Stevie Wonder-ful!!”

“Motown Gold? – Yeah, I Heard It On The Great-Vine!”

But what I really have to say should end up resembling something a little more professional – even more so when my “official” review runs in The Calgary Herald.

For today, let me say that the pics above are just a small glimpse at the ensemble cast portraying decades of Motown legends in this just-opened production. Among the most popular style of the assorted shows that this facility stages, “Motown Gold” is a groovin’ glance at the contributions Detroit’s legendary recording studio made world-wide.

And what an influence Motown has had on pop music over the years! Careers have been revitalized by recording a classic track. Some songs have never left the airwaves, 50 years after they were first released. Oh, and thanks Motown, for The Captain & Tennille’s version of “Shop Around”. Oh well, they can’t all be winners…

Seriously, The Beatles, Elvis, CCR, and innumerable other acts paid tribute to or had great success recording songs from this incredible well of talent, represented in this show by often equally talented actors. Many of the songs were either spot-on, or done well enough to not bother any critics in the audience, as evidenced by the prolonged standing ovation at the end of the show when I was in attendance. So many classic songs running from the 1950’s and on up until the Canadian Motown connection, Winnipeger Remy’s Shand’s “Take A Message To My Love”. Shout out to my hometown!!

This show was a bit of a primer for me - in my capacity as a newspaper columnist, I’m hoping to be visiting Hitsville USA next year, during an annual conference I try and attend – planned coincidentally for Detroit in 2011. Hitsville being the original Motown Records studio – something you’ll pick up in the wealth of trivia peppered throughout the show’s transitions between eras and recording acts. There’s lots more, and something even I wasn’t aware of regarding the discovery of The Jackson Five – but I shouldn’t spoil the surprise - you should really try and make it out to see this show, if you’re a fan of this enduring brand of popular music.

And check back here – I’ll be posting a link to my Herald review when that’s available. Plus I’ll be sitting down with a few cast members to discuss the show and more – so as they say – don’t touch that dial!

Chow for now!!