Motown may represent music of eras past, but that doesn’t mean this musical isn’t interesting or relevant to this generation’s boy-band, bubble gum-pop-obsessed teens.

Though I am far from a “Directioner,” I too entered the auditorium with the preconceived notion that this would be a bland production. Our parents are the funk and soul gurus. That’s their genre, not ours. However, just as you may no longer listen to The Backstreet Boys but still find it fun to occasionally hear their song and sing along, Motown has a similar effect. Many more hits were recognizable than initially expected—maybe from exposure from parents, or maybe it’s just a part of being a Detroit native.

Motown begins by raising a black curtain surrounding a luminescent golden “M” to reveal four gleaming faces in silver suits singing, dancing and moving from one ‘60s jam to the next in a seamless progression. The plot encompasses the story of Motown Records company founder Berry Gordy’s rise to fame in the white-dominated music industry. This story holds special meaning for the Detroit audience, as Motown was established in the city in a humble house nicknamed “Hitsville U.S.A.”
Motown Records is most famous for producing talents such as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops and the Temptations. These performers were portrayed in the musical with unbelievable realism. It’s clear the actors spared no detail in their impersonations. They grasped and exaggerated every mannerism and idiosyncrasy for the audience’s pleasure.

What sets Motown—The Musical apart is the actors’ ability to interact with the audience while staying completely in character. The most memorable moment of the entire production was when the actress playing Diana Ross belted Ross’s  famous lyric “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand /make this world a better place, if you can.” Just as Ross did, she urged the audience to break the solitary mindset adopted when watching a play and become aware of those around them. The entire crowd was joined hand-in-hand, rocking to the music, smiling and laughing—a wonderful, unique moment for theatre connoisseurs and Motown fans alike.

No matter what your taste in music or theater may be, Motown is definitely worth seeing. The show remains at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit until November 16.