After being a part of “Motown: The Musical” when it premiered on Broadway in April 2013, Jesse Nager is thrilled to continue his “Motown” journey playing Smokey Robinson on its nationwide tour, which arrived at Hollywood Pantages on Tuesday.
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, “Motown: The Musical” is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more.
Featuring more than 40 classic hits such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” the musical tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America.
Motown shattered barriers, shaped lives, and made everyone all move to the same beat.
Nager opened the show on Broadway as Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. His resume of Broadway credits include “Scandalous,” “Mary Poppins,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Mamma Mia!”
Nager has also sung with Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, and Patti Labelle.
“I play Smokey Robinson who is and was Berry Gordy’s best friend,” Nager said. “They grew up together and they founded the company together. It was definitely Berry Gordy’s idea and concept, but Smokey was with him along the way who bounced ideas off him. What’s interesting about Smokey is because they are best friends he is one of the few people who can talk Berry Gordon off the ledge. He can always talk to him and bring him back to earth.”
Nager said there were plenty of cool things about the musical.
“Someone knows something about everyone in the show,” he said. “When you start reading books and looking at interviews online, you see how deep all these relationships really were. I delved into everything that I could. I’ve met Smokey a couple of times; Luckily I wasn’t playing him when I met him so I wasn’t nervous. You talk to everyone and you get different insight from different people.”
The Pantages Theatre performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm and 6:30 pm. It is recommended for ages 10 and up. (Children under 5 will not be admitted to the theatre. All patrons must have a ticket, regardless of age.) Performances will continue through June 7, 2015.
Individual tickets start at $25. Hollywood Pantages is located at 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
For tickets or more information, visit HollywoodPantages.com, MotownTheMusical.com, or call 1.800.982.2787.
