Reviews Cont.
BroadwayWorld.com (San Francisco)
By Linda Hodges & Nick Hodges
August 23, 2014
Motown: the Musical is a Huge Hit
"Reed L. Shannon as a young Michael Jackson was worth the price of admission all on his own. I always have a worry about actors sounding (or not sounding) like their famous counterparts but Shannon hit it out of the park! It was like watching Michael perform onstage in real life. It was just a treat!"
A Beast In A Jungle
By John Marcher
August 22, 2014
Motown: the Musical. So what if it’s the same old song?
...and a tremendously gifted cast succeed in delivering a show designed to have the audience singing and dancing along in their seats, if not the aisles. Standouts among the solid cast include Allison Semmes as Diana Ross; Reed L. Shannon’s jaw-dropping turn as Michael Jackson (MJ’s unique stature and legacy is interestingly acknowledged by the palpable audience reaction to his arrival onstage)
The San Francisco Appeal
By Rain Jokinen
August 21, 2014
Entertaining And Slightly Exhausting: Motown: The Musical
...A lot of ground is covered in the first act, while act two focuses on Gordy’s move to Los Angeles, the discovery of the Jackson 5 (Reed Lorenzo Shannon is fantastic as young Michael Jackson), disco, and the looming threat that the label will have to fold as more and more artists–including his beloved Diana–move on to bigger things. But Gordy vows to fight, releasing even more hits. (He seems to remember he’s got Stevie Wonder in a closet somewhere, as Wonder makes a brief appearance as a child in act one, and isn’t heard from again until the end of act two).
San Jose Mercury News
By Georgia Rowe Correspondent
August 20, 2014
'Motown' Sizzles on the Strenght of its Songs
...Martha Reeves (an energized Patrice Covington) raises the temperature with "Dancin' in the Streets," while the dulcet-toned Supremes, led by Diana Ross (a silky Allison Semmes) are brought into the fold. Mary Wells (big-voiced Martina Sykes) burns through "Two Lovers" and "My Guy." And when the pint-size Michael Jackson (a spot-on Reed L. Shannon) introduces "ABC," you can almost hear the gold records being pressed.
By Chad Jones
August 20, 2014
'Motown: The Musical' review: Music sizzles, but plot fizzles
... Any list of this show's musical highlights, of which there are many, has to start with young Reed L. Shannon as Michael Jackson (sharing the role with Leon Outlaw Jr.) wailing through Jackson 5 hits like "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There."
kids-on-tour.net
#1 Source For Kids In National Tours
“…I defy anyone not to find the love (and respect) in Reed L. Shannon’s Michael Jackson…”
nwitimes.com
Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column
May 16, 2014
OFFBEAT: Broadway's 'Motown The Musical' is Chicago hot stage
ticket for summer
... And some of the most lively and energetic scenes, rousing many musical emotions and memories, come from Reed L. Shannon as young Berry Gordy, and Michael Jackson during the Jackson Five years, as well as the young, swaying, smiling and sunglasses-clad child prodigy Stevie Wonder.
Chicagoist.com
'Motown' Is Heavy On Hits But Short On Plot
"...Motown’s touring cast is top-notch, though, and you’ll likely tap your toe throughout. Reed L. Shannon’s young Michael Jackson is a talented crowd-pleaser, and many of the songs have been given a sort of electric new feel on stage. Motown is more of a staged, fast-paced concert than a fully fleshed out musical, but for some, that’s all they need to take in the still-beloved music from a defining era."
ShowbizChicago.com
Michael Roberts
May 10, 2014
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Moves Mountains
"...But the book issues are superfluous because the audience is in attendance for one reason alone, the Motown songbook, and on that level, this musical never disappoints. This is aided by the brilliant choreography of both Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams and I defy anyone not to find the love (and respect) in Reed L. Shannon's Michael Jackson or Nicholas Christopher's Smokey Robinson."
ChicagoLandTheatre.com
Dan Zeff
May, 2014
"...The large cast is uniformly outstanding, most performing in multiple roles. Clifton Oliver shows impressive stamina and singing chops as Berry Gordy. Allison Sims makes the most of her substantial part of the show, nailing Diana Ross’s vocal style and even her appearance. Not surprisingly, the biggest crowd pleaser for the raucous opening night audience was the Jackson 5, led by a little dynamo named Reed L. Shannon (who alternates the role with Leon Outlaw, Jr.). There are also major appearances by Nicholas Christopher as Smokey Robinson and Jarran Muse as Marvin Gaye. Elijah Ahmad Lewis does a spot-on Stevie Wonder, in spite of the obscurity of his singing selections. Martina Sykes rattles the rafters with her sustained high notes as Mary Wells, one of Motown’s earliest divas."
TheFourthWalsh.com
May 13, 2014
Review “Motown the Musical” (Broadway in Chicago): A BLAST from the Past
The score boasts over fifty classic snippets sung by reincarnated versions of the superstars: Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. In particular, the ravishing Allison Semmes (Diana Ross)and the spunky Reed L. Shannon (Michael Jackson) embodied their characters. Semmes transforms from arm swaying girl group to show-stopping diva. Young Reed looks and sounds like the adorable Jackson 5’s frontman.
ChicagoTheatreReview
May 10, 2014
Chicago actress/singer Allison Semmes as Diana Ross is one of the best elements of this production. Her journey from teenager to superstar is so finely portrayed and so authentically sung and styled that audiences forget they’re seeing an actress “playing” Ms. Ross. Clifton Oliver does the most he can playing Barry Gordy. He’s driven, likable and the kind, devoted papa behind the success of his many proteges. It’s just that this script doesn’t provide Mr. Oliver with much to do really except introduce each musical act. Nicholas Christopher and Jarran Muse are terrific as Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, while Reed L. Shannon practically steals the show as Michael Jackson.
AroundTheTownChicago.com
LARISA MOUNT
February 15, 2014
As Gordy in this production is the sterling Clifton Oliver, who is a bit to tall and far better looking) and the lovely Diana Ross ( Chicago native Allison Semmes, who is as real as it gets) is seemingly perfect. In fact, we even see some chemistry between the actors which is not always easy to see in a musical story on a large stage- they get it! Smoky Robinson is portrayed to perfection by Nicholas Christopher and Marvin Gaye , a Chicago favorite is deftly handled by Jarran Muse. Michael Jackson is a role that is double cast, and who also take son a young Stevie Wonder and Berry in the opening number and tonight we witnessed the amazing Reed L. Shannon, who at times brought back strong memories of the first appearances of this young talents who brought something special to his music. Another twenty five ensemble members truly make this a solid evening of entertainment clearly worth the price of the ticket ( and then some).
BroadwayWorld.com
LARISA MOUNT
February 15, 2014
BWW Reviews: NC Theatre Scores Big with LES MISERABLES
North Carolina Theatre is taking on an iconic work of musical theater with their current staging of LES MISERABLES. Such a piece is quite a feat to put on, and to do it well is a great undertaking, but NC Theatre manages to accomplish something spectacular by combining the best talent of the Triangle with amazing New York actors. The result is a production which does justice to the cultural monolith which isLes Mis. It's a perfect production for die-hard fans and first-timers alike.
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