Review by Ron Fassler . . .
Now in its 55th year, the 92NY Lyrics & Lyricists Series is as essential to New York City as such other venerable institutions as Shakespeare in the Park and MOMA. Over time, I’ve seen a good many of these well-put together musical revues staged at the 92nd Street Y’s Center for Culture and Arts and the latest one, Motown’s Heat Wave: The Songs of Holland-Dozier-Holland, captures the very essence of what makes them so enjoyable. First and foremost are the artists themselves— consistently chosen from topflight talent—and the knowledgeable facts dispersed which, instead of being spoon fed, are doled out with love and devotion. Often done on the fly with limited rehearsal time, the vigor of showmanship always exudes a strict level of professionalism. Following the Sunday matinee I attended, I returned home and made a playlist of the songs in the order devised with precision by director Brian Harlan Brooks for the 75-minute program. These Motown greats, all written by all of them by the team of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland, are accompanying me as I write this and providing the best background music imaginable. Remember—the company’s headquarters in Detroit was nicknamed “Hit City” for a very good reason.
For someone my age, hearing these songs brings up indelible memories of where I was when I first heard them on the radio. Of this 16-song list, all but one was written in the 1960s, a decade from which I went from the ages of three to eleven. I felt somewhat bombarded by the indelible images conjured from my youth, a luxury byproduct of being around when these songs were fresh and new. But in the end, it is their timelessness that makes them so appealing. And although most of the audience on Sunday were roughly my age or older, I’m sure the younger people present and possibly being exposed for the first time to these extraordinarily catchy songs, are now quick fans. You’d have to be a pretty cool customer not to respond to the beat the instant the needle drops on such legendary hits as “I Hear a Symphony,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” It’s not for nothing that in 1990 the trio were inducted as non-performers in the “sidemen” category into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Motown’s Heat Wave: The Songs of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Featuring a dynamite cast, Motown’s Heat Wave fires on all cylinders. Of the men, all three are veterans of Ain’t Too Proud, which told the story of the Temptations in the 2019 Broadway season: Ephraim Sykes, Derrick Baskin and Curtis Wiley. Each had their own personal takes on the material and showed off a range of colors and dimension with their singing. Of the two women, Najah Hetsberger (currently in the hit musical Six) mainly fills in as Diana Ross here, singingly beautifully and stunning in her cling-to-the skin outfit and shimmying her way through “Where Did Our Love Go?” Melrose Johnson, new to me, does a standout job, particularly with “Please Mr. Postman.” The choreography supplied by Brian Harlan Brooks, mostly arm movements and simple footwork, stayed true to the era and the way groups from the Four Tops to the Supremes performed. And Elizabeth Addison’s book for the show, mostly read out of looseleaf binders by the cast, was both informative and entertaining.
A perfect six-person band supplied the show’s backbone. Led by musical director and pianist Michael O. Mitchell, also responsible for the arrangements and orchestrations, I was simply in awe of Jeremiah Flack on trumpet and Taja Graves-Parker on trombone (you gotta have the brass when you’re doing Motown) as well as Sherrod Barnes (guitar), Chelton Grey (bass), and Daiquain Davis (drums). This sextet really brought the music home.
Projection designs by Kylee Loera and Taylor Gordon are terrific and matched by John Kelly’s lighting. The sound could have used a tweak or two, but perhaps they’ll have it down perfectly for the final show Monday night. Yeah, that’s the shame about these quick runs: only three performances. So don’t miss out what’s coming at the next Lyrics & Lyricists in December: The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me, a salute to songwriter Paul Williams, with Williams himself performing. For ticket information, please click here.
Photos by Richard Termine.
Headline photo: Pianist and Musical Director Michael O. Mitchell and Najah Hetsberger.
