Family Reunion at 'Motown: The Musical' Opening Night

The Motown family and pretenders after the opening night performance of "Motown: The Musical." Photos from Broadway World.

14 April 2013/NEW YORK – MOTOWN was in the house!!! last night at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre for opening night of
“Motown: The Musical.”

This is the story of one of the most successful record companies in the history of the music bidness, as told by founder Berry Gordy.

Last night, he was joined by the closest members of his family. Heard of Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson? Were Marvin Gaye still of this world, he would have been watching an interpretation of himself on stage, too.

Diana Ross and the woman who plays her, Valisia LeKae.

Gladys Knight was in the audience, as was Mary Wilson. Stevie Wonder. In fact, last night was SW’s second appearance. During the soldout previews, he attended the family and friends night performance on 5 April.

VEVLYN’S PEN theater critic Tamara Beck will review the musical shortly.

After the music stopped, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and "Motown: The Musical" ensemble member, Ryan Shaw, hang out.

Expectations are that the show is going to be a hit, reviews notwithstanding. How can it not be with all of those classic songs?! Even if the acting is atrocious, “Motown: The Musical” will doubtless attract fans of the sound.

Psst, psst: Valisia Lekae, who looks nothing like Diana Ross, does a spot-on impression of the legend. Close your eyes while she is on stage and be transported to a Diana Ross concert.

Visit http://www.motownthemusical.com/upgrade.html to learn more about “Motown: The Musical.” Rx

Think You Can Dance to Tune of Paul Taylor?

James Samson, Robert Kleinendorst, Amy Young and Sean Mahoney in the Paul Taylor Dance Company's "Three Dubious Memories." Photo by Tom Caravaglia.

BY TAMARA BECK

WANTED: Two good dancers.

The Paul Taylor Dance Company, in association with Talenthouse and Self Magazine, will award two scholarships for the Paul Taylor Dance Company Summer Intensive in New York City.

Dancers who think they have the moves should submit a video no longer than 90 seconds that conveys their love of dance and explains why they deserve to attend the summer intensive. The competition is open to all genres.

Paul Taylor will lead the panel of five jurists that will choose the winners. Among them are Matthew Diamond, dance director of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Dancemaker” about PT and the company. On the panel, too, are PT dancers Michael Trusnovec and Annmaria Mazzini. One male and one female will be selected for the summer intensive.

In "Spring Rounds," dancers mimic butterflies and birds. Photo from West Coast Intensive.

The submission deadline is 14 April; voting begins on 15 April, and winners will be announced on 27 April. The summer intensive is 5-29 July.

Visit http://www.talenthouse.com/ to learn more about the summer intensive scholarship and http://www.ptdc.org/ to learn more about Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty, and Many More!!!
Aretha Franklin, left, blowing out the candles on her birthday cake Friday night at the Helmsley Hotel. At right, The Queen of Soul with Smokey Robinson. Photos by William Sykes/AP.

WITH reports of her death, an incurable disease and a surgery that she says “resolved” health problems that led her a few months ago to cancel a series of concerts until May – with all of these travails behind her, The Queen of Soul is back in form.

Surely, there is need to further identify Her Majesty. Those still scratching their heads should tramp over to GOOGLE.

Over the weekend, she visited the Big Apple to take in some theater – specifically “Driving, Miss Daisy” starring Morgan Freeman and Vanessa Redgrave.

After the play Friday night, she and 100 or so close friends repaired to the Helmsley Hotel to celebrate her 69th birthday. Yours Truly was not on the guest list. Seemingly, the Associated Press was the only media outlet allowed in. See video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhebbyIrmFg

A number of marquee names were in the house: Smokey Robinson, Bette Midler, Tony Bennett, Clive Davis. Word is Oprah was invited but did not attend. Gayle (King) was there, though.

Her Majesty was noticeably thinner. She looked a bit tired, too, but otherwise she looked swell. Judging by reports of the few bars (“The Way We Were”) she sang with Dennis Edwards (Temptations), she is in fine voice too.

Long live the queen! – By Yours Truly, Vevlyn Wright