Class and sass as Theater Ancaster celebrates ‘The Music of Motown’
A professional musical revue that will have you on your feet cheering
Wow! Get ready to cheer.
This one could move right to Broadway, next week.
There’s a polish here that elevates this fabulous, feel-good production to first-class professionalism.
Everything here, from impressive vocal direction by Erin Bree Pierce to Colin Lapsley’s explosive powerhouse of a band, is stunning. Add Angela Broadley’s clever and syncopated little choreographic struts and you realize this one sets a standard of excellence.
There’s no nonsense, no time wasting, no futzing about, as one number leads naturally to another. Before you know it, Theatre Ancaster’s crack cast of performers have you in their power. Just give in and celebrate the way these folks burn a patch off the Peller Hall stage.
“The Music of Motown” is everything a show celebrating the class and sass of Motown ought to be. There’s no one here marking time. There’s no one giving less than 100 per cent. This is a flat-out performance that sends shivers round your neck. Soon they will work their way down to your feet and set your 10 little toes tapping.
Don’t even try to resist. Just let go and give in.
While you’re at it, let your eyes rove over all that eye-candy on the Theatre Ancaster stage. Prepare to surrender to the glitter of Margot Burnell’s snazzy costumes. Watch them sparkle and glitter in the exotic shards of Sam Frisk’s rock concert lighting.
Everything, in fact, about this fabulous Motown show has a sense of class about it.
A confident and stylish produc- tion, it’s directed with savvy by Lap- sley, Stacey Bishop and Matt Miller, who make the whole thing wildly seductive.
Of course, everyone will have their own favourite moments. Here are some of mine.
I loved Hailee Rose leading the cast in “Dancing in The Street” and, later, returning with Robyn Russell and Bishop to coo “Baby Love” and “Stop In The Name of Love,” recalling the provocative, edge of those sensational Supremes.
For sheer power, there’s Janet Raymond’s “Neither One of Us,” an evocative reminder of the force of Gladys Knight and the Pips.
And what about Matt and Ellie Miller’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough?” This handsome pair recalled splendidly that rockin’ duo, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
Chantal Barrow scored with every appearance she made and she looked terrific in those thigh-high black boots. Barrow owned the stage, singing the lead in “Midnight Train to Georgia,” delivering all the aching heartbreak that song suggests.
Then there’s mighty Tracy Cain.
She sold the socks off Etta James’s “Something’s Got A Hold On Me,” using the smoky warmth of her voice to heat up the evocative James penned lyric.
I loved Shelby VanderEnde’s “Please Mr. Postman.” That one surely ought to be the anthem of poor old Canada Post.
Anything Lapsley sings is always fine with me. He has the driving edge of a star performer whether he’s letting fly with a raunchy vocal, or pounding his piano like Jerry Lee Lewis.
And speaking of stars, how about Harrison Kennedy?
His “My Girl” was the cherry on the very top of this scrumptious Ancaster Motown cake. When Kennedy leaned into “Bring It On Home,” dueting splendidly with Barrow, his rich voice, dramatic passion and gracious stage persona brought a moved audience to their feet. Now folks, that’s what I call star power.
“The Music of Motown” will take you back to a time when lyrics had meaning, and music had soul. If you’re over 50, it will likely be a nostalgic trip.
If you’re younger, this could be a crash course in the way the Motown sound took over the record industry and integrated Black and white performers in the creation of a popular new kind of music that sold millions of records.
It’s been a great year for Theatre Ancaster.
The group’s summer youth production of the musical “Cabaret” was a stunner, followed by the comic satire of a lively production of “Legally Blonde.”
Now it’s “The Music of Motown,” a professional show in every way.
Talk about high-class entertainment and all performed close to home in the comfort of their own state-of-the-art theatre. Bravo, Theatre Ancaster.