This is another think piece type of article that says the director was not dismayed by "lackluster reviews"--it may be more interesting that reviews themselves
Harlem Week: Lackluster reviews don't dismay director of 'Motown: The Musical'
Charles Randolph-Wright cites the show's record-breaking numbers as evidence audiences love his Broadway musical
By Herb Boyd / FOR THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, August 6, 2013, 4:00 AM
© Walter McBride/© Walter McBride
(From l.) Berry Gordy and Diana Ross with Brandon Victor Dixon and Valisia LeKae, the actors who portray them in “Motown: The Musical.”
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If you take the word of some critics, “Motown: The Musical” is slapdash, sketchy and lacks coherence, but such negative notices have not dismayed or discouraged audiences at sold-out performances.
“I don’t read reviews,” said Charles Randolph-Wright, the show’s director. “People tell me about them. but I look at the audiences. Every seat at every performance has been filled. After attending the matinees, people line up to buy tickets for their friends and relatives to see the show.”
He believes the positive word of mouth has been overwhelming and clearly overrides the lackluster reviews.
And the box office record-breaking numbers for the show confirm Randolph-Wright’s beliefs.
With a weekly gross of $1,447,785, the musical is the biggest hit of the year. No other untried Broadway show (out-of-town tryout, Off-Broadway transfer or West End production) has ever achieved this after opening cold in New York, according to a publicist’s press release.
“We are having the time of our lives,” the director said about himself and the cast. “And while the musical is basically Berry Gordy’s journey, it is also a journey — a spiritual journey for many of those in the audience.”
This musical journey, for many Americans, is like hearing the soundtrack of their lives presented by performers portraying Diana Ross and the Supremes,The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson.
Randolph-Wright is also excited that many of Motown’s legends have seen the musical and expressed their love and approval.
“Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Berry have all seen it twice,” he said. “To see it once is just being polite, but for them to return a second time is fantastic. And they have told me how well the performers have captured them.”
Even the critics agree that whoever is performing Michael Jackson — and that could be either Raymond Luke Jr. or Jibreel Mawry — the simulation is remarkable. But the longer the show runs, the more likely there will be even another Michael.
It’s hard to keep the same Michael, Randolph-Wright explained. “They age out of it,” he said.
On July 4, the nation had a chance to see snippets of the musical when several members of the cast journeyed with the director for an Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The show, which aired on PBS, is yet another testament to the musical’s success — it was the sole
Broadway production for the event and largest Broadway cast ever to perform at “A Capitol Fourth.”
Just to get few minutes on this stage was astonishing enough for cast members said Kevin McCollum, one of the musical’s producers.
“The Motown sound became an engine for change that transformed the fabric of this country,” he said in a statement. “It taught us to sing together, then dance together and, finally, work towards living together in harmony.
“It is a story that could have only happened in America, so it’s appropriate for 'Motown: The Musical’ to celebrate Independence Day in the heart of our nation’s capital.”
The brief performances featured Tony-nominated Valisia LeKae (Diana Ross) leading The Supremes in “Stop in the Name of Love,” the would-be Temptations in their signature rendition of “Get Ready,” and a rousing version of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street,” with Saycon Sengbloh as Reeves.
“To be invited to this event as a representative of America was overwhelming,” Randolph-Wright enthused. “Mall was crowded with spectators and to see and to hear them singing along with the music was absolutely amazing.”
Listening to folks singing along with songs that are part of the American story is something that happens at every performance, he said.
“And now we’re, with this production, part of the Motown legacy,” Randolph-Wright said. “It’s a movement that I’m proud to be part of.”
“I don’t read reviews,” said Charles Randolph-Wright, the show’s director. “People tell me about them. but I look at the audiences. Every seat at every performance has been filled. After attending the matinees, people line up to buy tickets for their friends and relatives to see the show.”
He believes the positive word of mouth has been overwhelming and clearly overrides the lackluster reviews.
And the box office record-breaking numbers for the show confirm Randolph-Wright’s beliefs.
With a weekly gross of $1,447,785, the musical is the biggest hit of the year. No other untried Broadway show (out-of-town tryout, Off-Broadway transfer or West End production) has ever achieved this after opening cold in New York, according to a publicist’s press release.
“We are having the time of our lives,” the director said about himself and the cast. “And while the musical is basically Berry Gordy’s journey, it is also a journey — a spiritual journey for many of those in the audience.”
This musical journey, for many Americans, is like hearing the soundtrack of their lives presented by performers portraying Diana Ross and the Supremes,The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson.
Randolph-Wright is also excited that many of Motown’s legends have seen the musical and expressed their love and approval.
“Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Berry have all seen it twice,” he said. “To see it once is just being polite, but for them to return a second time is fantastic. And they have told me how well the performers have captured them.”
Even the critics agree that whoever is performing Michael Jackson — and that could be either Raymond Luke Jr. or Jibreel Mawry — the simulation is remarkable. But the longer the show runs, the more likely there will be even another Michael.
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
The cast of 'Motown The Musical' performs onstage at The 67th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in June.
On July 4, the nation had a chance to see snippets of the musical when several members of the cast journeyed with the director for an Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The show, which aired on PBS, is yet another testament to the musical’s success — it was the sole
Broadway production for the event and largest Broadway cast ever to perform at “A Capitol Fourth.”
Just to get few minutes on this stage was astonishing enough for cast members said Kevin McCollum, one of the musical’s producers.
“The Motown sound became an engine for change that transformed the fabric of this country,” he said in a statement. “It taught us to sing together, then dance together and, finally, work towards living together in harmony.
“It is a story that could have only happened in America, so it’s appropriate for 'Motown: The Musical’ to celebrate Independence Day in the heart of our nation’s capital.”
The brief performances featured Tony-nominated Valisia LeKae (Diana Ross) leading The Supremes in “Stop in the Name of Love,” the would-be Temptations in their signature rendition of “Get Ready,” and a rousing version of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street,” with Saycon Sengbloh as Reeves.
“To be invited to this event as a representative of America was overwhelming,” Randolph-Wright enthused. “Mall was crowded with spectators and to see and to hear them singing along with the music was absolutely amazing.”
Listening to folks singing along with songs that are part of the American story is something that happens at every performance, he said.
“And now we’re, with this production, part of the Motown legacy,” Randolph-Wright said. “It’s a movement that I’m proud to be part of.”
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