This
is not Human Nature Motown.
These
inexpensive V shows are always second rung. However, I was very
happy and felt it more than worth $27 on a Living Social voucher
deal.
I
could have upgraded for $10 to closer seats, but I was actually happy
that I had not done that. The key to General Admission is to get in
line early and be ushered in more to the front and center. I loved
my seat, except for the huge man with the hat right in front of me.
I had to keep ducking side to side to see the whole stage.
It
was fast moving and loud. Too loud for my taste, and I did not think
the sound system was as crisp as it could be.
There
were two groups of performers, one a male group and one a female
group and they kept things moving. A video screen above the stage
showed old album covers and old photographs of the original Motown
groups. I love old album covers and I thought these added to the
show. They also offered a way to fill the introductory time after
seating and before the live act with old clips of the groups singing
and dancing.
This
was a Monday night and there were plenty of people. I had not made
reservations but they squeezed me in.
I
would not recommend going to a V show if time is crucial. It is a
long walk through the Miracle Mile shops, and I am always confused at
one fork in the pathway. I am not a shopper, so often walking malls
is frustrating, but I enjoyed that as well on the night I went.
Perhaps
part of that is I had given myself plenty of time to get to the
theater.
It
is a wait to process the voucher and then a wait in line before
admission. The lines are often confusing and this night was no
exception. The first folks in line had sat on the fountain edge.
Where the line was supposed to turn and snake back, folks had chosen
to sit along the fountain. We were moved by a worker, but not
escorted to the appropriate place in the line.
Things
were very poorly managed.
This
is in huge contrast to most other small venue shows I saw this trip
and especially to those I saw at the Laugh Factory at Tropicana.
There were no huge lines there, and no huge wait. I saw Rich Little
first, walked out the exit and directly into the line for the regular
comedy show. And the prices were very similar. LINK
But
it all worked out.
The
lead woman star and director was unusual and a bit quirky. She was
full of fast moves and energy. At times she had a look I associate
with some Black preachers who with gritted teeth shake their heads
from side to side to warm up the crowd.
I
liked her. I liked the voices and I liked the fast pace with no
intermission and very little talk.
I
especially enjoyed an audience of Black people. I realize that after
so many years teaching inner city, I crave that immersion, just as I
enjoy the immersion in the Spanish community at Claudine Castro. And
it was an older crowd, one that probably did not respond to rap
music, but instead remembered these old Motown sounds just as I do.
It
was a rather quiet crowd. All that line waiting made it difficult to
warm them up, but after a while there was response.
The
audience was invited in to the singing at times. One man was brought
up to be with the lead and when she had him sing a line of “Natural
Woman,” we found out that he had a wonderful voice for it, could
interpret, had good gestures and was a delight. Quite a surprise as
audience members pulled up on stage rarely sing well.
In
my old age I have reverted for the most part to music before my
youth, to the jazz, swing and lounge sounds of my mother's generation
or folk. So I may have moved away from these Motown sounds, but I
certainly enjoyed them this night.
On
the other hand, when I went a few days later to see the Nite Kings
sing some of the same kind of harmonies, even some of the same
Motown, I was struck with the better sound system, and the better
voices. There was a more laid back choreography, but it was not as
ear deafeningly or frantic. Also, the Nite Kings are free for the
price of a drink, and do four sets from 4 PM until 8 PM. LINK
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