Saturday, the Convocation Center played host to “A Tribute to the Motown Greats.”

The Chicago-based production had the audience on its feet and singing along within minutes.
The show consists of dozens of performers between its tight backing band and its rotating cast of stellar vocalists. A total of nine legendary groups and singers were paid tribute to individually by an ensemble recreating their live performances, down to the signature moves and wardrobes.

First up was a tribute to The Four Tops with a rendition of “I’ll Be There” to kick off the show (quite literally with their choreographed dance steps), which had audience members reaching out for them. After their set was a recreation of a Marvelettes concert, followed by Gladys Knight & the Pips.

Jacqueline Rivera then played the part of Mary Wells almost a little too well by belting out hits like “My Guy” and working the crowd over in between tunes.

An homage to Martha Reeve and the Vandellas finished the first half the night. The crowd was left standing and screaming after they performed “Heatwave.”

The second half opened up with a tribute to The Supremes, the three women in blue dresses that may have well come from Diana Ross’ 1966 dressing room.

While all of the singers were absolutely phenomenal without much fault, if any at all, the night hit a new level when Smokey Robinson and the Miracles were paid tribute. Warren Julian sounded just like Smokey without sounding like an impression and showed off his magnetic stage presence the entire time. The set closed with him in the crowd crooning the hit “Ooh Baby Baby” to the ladies in the front row.

A short but energetic Stevie Wonder set was next. It wouldn’t be Stevie without big smiles and swaying, and there was plenty of that.

The concert was brought to an end with a tribute to The Temptations. There wasn’t a time when the audience wasn’t singing along to singles.

Performer Joe Fizer says that music from that era is all about “respect, love and what’s really going on. It’s really family music [and they’re] trying to keep it alive.”

The production has been keeping Motown alive since 2003 and will hopefully be putting on concerts for many more years to come.

For more information, including upcoming show dates, go to www.atributetothemotowngreats.com

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