Post by ClassicSoul on Mar 10, 2006 9:22:57 GMT -5
An Evening at the Apollo
Show at Gryphon evokes Motown era
By Lucy Purdy
Published: Thu, Mar 9th, 2006
An Evening at the Apollo taps into the electrifying music and magic of the Motown era for a night of high-octane entertainment at Gryphon Theatre.
The dazzling sights and sounds of the 50s, 60s and 70s will cascade through the night as will the memories.
“The show takes you back to when the Apollo was at its best and all the superstars like the Temptations, The Supremes, Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, and all those guys went there and became stars,” said singer/producer, Aubrey Mann.
“A lot of them never made it until they got there. They were just recording artists singing in little bars, but once they hit the Apollo, a lot of their careers blossomed.”
Mann and his performers play tribute to the greats in a big way throughout two 50-minute sets. Six singers; three male, three female, and a six-piece show band cover over 50 songs. There are no less than 11 costume changes, which Mann is proud to say has other similar shows beat.
“People start screaming just for the outfits and we haven't said anything yet, we've just walked out,” he noted of audience reaction to the glitzy, custom-designed apparel.
“Apart from how good we sound, we also look good!”
As a singer of some renown himself, Mann sold over a million records, counting the song, Steeling Love on the Side as one of his hits. His connections to top singers enabled him put together the best for An Evening at the Apollo, complete with artists who are stars in their own right. “A lot of us were competitors in the 80s. We were vying for the same jobs, so we became friends...I knew the exact voices I wanted for the blend to be unique.”
Mann noted that when the show gets started, the combination of ego and instinct gets the performers‚ adrenalin pumping.
“Even though you're best friends, they don't want you to outdo them, and that makes for a good evening for everybody listening because you will be surprised when we take it up a notch,” Mann said, adding that audiences can't help but start dancing.
In the 10 years since Mann mounted and began touring the fabulous Evening at the Apollo, he has seen people of all ages enchanted with to the classics.
“When you see kids singing the lyrics to Ain't to Proud to Beg, and My Girl, you go, wow -- you know this music can't die!”
Evening at the Apollo plays at Gryphon Theatre, March 17, 8:00 p.m. For tickets call the box office: 728-4613.
LINK
Show at Gryphon evokes Motown era
By Lucy Purdy
Published: Thu, Mar 9th, 2006
An Evening at the Apollo taps into the electrifying music and magic of the Motown era for a night of high-octane entertainment at Gryphon Theatre.
The dazzling sights and sounds of the 50s, 60s and 70s will cascade through the night as will the memories.
“The show takes you back to when the Apollo was at its best and all the superstars like the Temptations, The Supremes, Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, and all those guys went there and became stars,” said singer/producer, Aubrey Mann.
“A lot of them never made it until they got there. They were just recording artists singing in little bars, but once they hit the Apollo, a lot of their careers blossomed.”
Mann and his performers play tribute to the greats in a big way throughout two 50-minute sets. Six singers; three male, three female, and a six-piece show band cover over 50 songs. There are no less than 11 costume changes, which Mann is proud to say has other similar shows beat.
“People start screaming just for the outfits and we haven't said anything yet, we've just walked out,” he noted of audience reaction to the glitzy, custom-designed apparel.
“Apart from how good we sound, we also look good!”
As a singer of some renown himself, Mann sold over a million records, counting the song, Steeling Love on the Side as one of his hits. His connections to top singers enabled him put together the best for An Evening at the Apollo, complete with artists who are stars in their own right. “A lot of us were competitors in the 80s. We were vying for the same jobs, so we became friends...I knew the exact voices I wanted for the blend to be unique.”
Mann noted that when the show gets started, the combination of ego and instinct gets the performers‚ adrenalin pumping.
“Even though you're best friends, they don't want you to outdo them, and that makes for a good evening for everybody listening because you will be surprised when we take it up a notch,” Mann said, adding that audiences can't help but start dancing.
In the 10 years since Mann mounted and began touring the fabulous Evening at the Apollo, he has seen people of all ages enchanted with to the classics.
“When you see kids singing the lyrics to Ain't to Proud to Beg, and My Girl, you go, wow -- you know this music can't die!”
Evening at the Apollo plays at Gryphon Theatre, March 17, 8:00 p.m. For tickets call the box office: 728-4613.
LINK
