Roanoke, VA – Three two-night performances are scheduled during the 2016 season as The Music Series at Mill Mountain Theatre returns next month. After a successful inaugural season last year with the two one-night performances selling out, Mill Mountain Theatre will expand the music series to two nights beginning with The Music of Motown on March 11 and 12.
Tamla Records, better known as Motown (a combination of “motor” and “town”), became the biggest and most successful independent record company in the United States. Founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. in Detroit, Michigan in 1959, Motown quickly became the heart of American pop music that boasted a roster of artists that encompassed many different genres of music from early rhythm and blues to soul, funk, pop and more. Motown’s signature sound served to inspire a generation, define an era and re-shape the music industry. It spanned an audience broader than any in history with its commercial appeal.
Mill Mountain Theatre will bring more than 30 of Motown’s iconic hits to the Trinkle Main Stage with two consecutive nights of top tunes beginning March 11. The audience can enjoy their favorite beverages in the informal concert setting as they are entertained with lively music that includes “Mr. Postman,” a number one chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 along with “You Can’t Hurry Love,” one of 10 number one hits by The Supremes. “For the past three years, Mill Mountain Theatre has been fortunate to have Seth Davis as our resident musical director. Once again, the audience will get to experience his incredible talent as his masterful music direction and arranging will be heard throughout The Music of Motown,” Ginger Poole, producing artistic director for Mill Mountain Theatre said.
The dynamic onstage performances by talented entertainers (see cast information below) will showcase the rich history of Motown with hits by Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and one of the biggest pop music acts of the 1970’s, the Jackson 5.
The Music of Motown runs March 11 and 12 on the Trinkle Main Stage in the Wells Fargo Auditorium at Center in the Square. Beverages can be purchased from the bar beginning at 6:30 p.m. and continuing through intermission. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from the Center in the Square box office by calling (540) 342-5740 or online via Mill Mountain Theatre’s website at www.millmountain.org.
The Mill Mountain Music Series is made possible in part by generous underwriting by Bank of Floyd; Business Solutions, Inc.; Jefferson Surgical Clinic; Skyline Capital Strategies, LLC; Virginia Varsity Transfer/Virginia Varsity Storage; and Woods Rogers PLC. Grantors supporting this production are Actors’ Equity Association; Center in the Square; National Endowment for the Arts; and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
About The Music of Motown cast:
- Chris Flowers is a Michigan native and a graduate of Aquinas College. This will be his first appearance in a Mill Mountain Theatre production. Some of his former roles include performing as C.C. White in “Dream Girls” and Jake in “Side Show.” Visit www.chrisflowersonline.com for more information.
- Kris Roberts is a New York University (NYU)/Tisch alumnae. She was named a finalist in the New York Musical Theatre Festival’s Next Broadway Sensation last year. She was also nominated for BroadwayWorld Detroit’s Best Actress in a Musical and Richmond Theatre Critic’s Circle’s Best Actress in a Musical. Some of her roles have included: Lead Singer/Vocal Captain for Royal Caribbean, performing as Charlayne in “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and Michelle in “Dreamgirls.”
- Michael Jemison is currently living in New York City and just recently finished portraying Adrian in a production of Smokey Joe’s Café at the Starr Theatre. Other credits include his role as TJ in “Sister Act.
- Patrick Clanton – Following graduation from Elon University, Patrick has been a familiar face at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina as he has performed in “Hairspray,” “Miss Saigon,” and “My Fair Lady.” He has also toured nationally as part of the cast of “Sister Act.”
The band will include:
- Seth Davis (keyboard),
- Mike Havens (bass/guitar), and
- Sam Nash (drums).
Additional production staff:
- Director and Lighting Designer: Alicia Varcoe is a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Elon University’s Theatrical Design, Production and Music programs. She will make her directorial debut with The Music of Motown at Mill Mountain Theatre next month. She served in a variety of roles at Mill Mountain Theatre last season. Those positions have included: calling stage manager for “Swing!”, and assistant lighting designer for “Children of Eden,” “Hairspray,” and “42nd Street.” Her prior experience includes serving as an arts manager, director and lighting designer which has led to jobs and internships with the Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, The Juilliard School and INFINITY Stages/Darren Bagert Productions.
- Sound Engineer: Ayme Gierchak
For more information, contact Ginger Poole at (540) 342-5749 or via email at ginger@nullmillmountain.org
