Behind the Scenes
For over 50 years, the music of Motown has conveyed an ongoing celebration of life, love, and community, as stars like Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, and James Brown collaborated with legendary songwriters such as Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, and Smokey Robinson. These collaborations are behind the moments of musical magic captured in Dancing in the Street.
In fall of 2018, the primary cast came together for the first rehearsal at The Cutting Room in New York City. For the producers from Greenberg Artists and Schirmer Theatrical, listening to Shayna Steele, Michael Lynche, and Chester Gregory harmonize, the talent in the room was palpable. When asked about his connection to the music of Motown, lead vocalist Michael Lynche shared that he grew up on this music: “I think each of us singers are of the generation where our parents had this music playing throughout our youth. I had a great childhood and this music continually takes me back to happy memories.”
Since its world premiere with the Long Beach Symphony in October 2018, Dancing in the Street has been performed by orchestras throughout the US, including orchestras in Detroit, Virginia, Santa Barbara, Chattanooga, Greenville, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Dallas, Oregon, Louisville, St. Louis, Buffalo, Greensboro, and North Carolina, among others.
Set List
- Dancing in the Street
written by Marvin Gaye, Ivy George Hunter and William Stevenson, recorded by Martha Reeves - You Really Got A Hold On Me
written by Smokey Robinson, recorded by The Miracles - It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World
written by James Brown, Betty Jean Newsome and Dwight Grant, recorded by James Brown - Reach Out I’ll Be There
written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, recorded by The Four Tops - Touch Me In The Morning
written by Michael Masser and Ronald Norman Miller, recorded by Diana Ross - Just To See Her
written by Jimmy George and Louis Pardini, recorded by Smokey Robinson - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, recorded by Marvin Gaye - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, recorded by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - A Song For You
written by Leon Russell, recorded by Donny Hathaway - Superstition
written and recorded by Stevie Wonder
Intermission
- Let’s Groove
written by Maurice White and Wayne Lee Vaughn, recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire - I Got You (I Feel Good)
written and recorded by James Brown - My Guy
written by Smokey Robinson, recorded by Mary Wells - My Girl
written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, recorded by The Temptations - Endless Love
written by Lionel Richie, recorded by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross - Could It Be I’m Falling In Love
written by Melvin Steals and Mervin Steals, recorded by The Spinners - Don’t Leave Me This Way
written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert, recorded by Thelma Houston - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
written by Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, and Carl William Smith, recorded by Jackie Wilson - All Night Long
written and recorded by Lionel Richie - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
written by Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, Lula Mae Hardaway, and Syreeta Wright, recorded by Stevie Wonder
ALL ARRANGEMENTS LICENSED BY SCHIRMER THEATRICAL, LLC
Dancing in the Street is a co-production of Schirmer Theatrical and Greenberg Artists, part of their joint Symphonic Experience catalogue. Set list subject to change.
Artists
Crystal Monee Hall
Vocals
Crystal Monee Hall (s/h/h) is a singer/songwriter, composer and vocal director/arranger/producer based in NYC. Recent credits include Goddess (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), ALLSWELL the Movie (Dir. Ben Snyder), Choir Boy (Philadelphia Theatre Company), Darius De Haas’ You Send Me: The Songs and Soul of Sam Cook (92Y Lyrics and Lyricists), Where We Dwell (New York City Center), Ayodele Casel’s Chasing Magic (American Repertory Theater), Walker (CW network), “A Beautiful Noise” (Gospel Arrangement), Ben Platt: Live From Radio City Music Hall (Netflix), PBS Kids (Donkey Hodie, Nature Cat), Black Ink Crew (VH1), HBO’s High Maintenance, Stars on Stage: Brandon Victor Dixon (PBS), Cynthia Erivo: Live From Lincoln Center (PBS), Mickey Hart (The Grateful Dead), RENT (Nederlander Theater), Kristen Chenoweth, Thomas Rhett, Renee Elise Goldsberry, John Legend, Patti Austin, Oleta Adams. Awards include The Lilly Awards’ 2021 “Go Write a Musical” award and the Black Theatre Coalition’s inaugural Composer Fellowship in 2022.
www.crystalmoneehall.com, @crystalmonee.
Chester Gregory
Vocals
Chester Gregory is an award-winning singer, actor, and producer, who was last seen starring in Motown The Musical as Berry Gordy on Broadway. Gregory’s additional Broadway credits include Hairspray (Seaweed), Tarzan (Terk – Original Broadway Cast), Cry-Baby (Dupree – Original Broadway Cast), and Sister Act (Eddie – Original Broadway Cast). His national tour credits include roles in Dreamgirls and Sister Act, as well as his one-man show, The Eve of Jackie Wilson. Gregory’s acting credits include roles in August Wilson’s Fences and Two Trains Running.
Gregory has received many awards, including the Jeff Award and an NAACP Theatre Award. He has also been presented with the keys to two cities: one for his hometown of Gary, Indiana, and one for East Chicago. Gregory was selected to be an Honorary State Representative for Indiana and received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Columbia College Chicago.
Terron Brooks
Vocals
TERRON BROOKS is a singer-songwriter, recording artist, actor, motivational speaker, author and producer who has credits from the Broadway stage (Simba in Disney’s The Lion King and Seaweed in Hairspray) to the television screen (Curb Your Enthusiasm, American Idol, The Voice, and The Ellen DeGenerous Show). Based in Los Angeles, Terron has had the great opportunity to perform at The Ahmanson (The Secret Garden), The Pantages (The Lion King, Hairspray) and The Hollywood Bowl (Kinky Boots). Mr. Brooks has traveled the country with Disney in Concert Symphony Orchestra. He’s best remembered for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Eddie Kendricks in the Emmy Award winning NBC miniseries The Temptations. He is a two time NAACP image award nominee for best supporting actor and an Ovation nominee for best featured actor. Terron has sung with world class artists Stevie Wonder, David Foster, Phil Collins, One Republic, and Smokey Robinson. He is the co-creator and star of The Soul of Broadway, reimagining classic Broadway favorites, and has produced, written and recorded his own records available digitally everywhere. Terron’s first book Something GoOD on the Table is featured on Amazon. Most recently he has been headlining his own created show on Princess Cruise lines.
Jake Navarro
Drummer
Jake Navarro is a NYC based rock drummer who studied Jazz/Commercial music at Five Towns College in Long Island, NY. He was a Music Director for Carnival Cruise Lines and tours with multiple Pops shows, performing with symphony orchestras all over the country. He is also a children’s’ music teacher, a studio/touring musician for various artists, and he performs with several major event bands in the NY metropolitan region.
Chris Kuffner
Guitar
Creative Team
Robert Thompson
Creative Producer
Jeff Tyzik
Producer & Arranger
Jami Greenberg
Producer & Booking Agent
Betsey Perlmutter
Producer
Alex Kosick
Associate Producer
Schirmer Theatrical is a concert production company specializing in the creation of symphonic experiences, film with live orchestra concerts, and theatrical productions.
Greenberg Artists is an artist management and concert production company striving to bring the highest level of talent and musical integrity to audiences around the world.
Acclaim
“The audience was so receptive, and [the] band and singers were a delight. Most importantly, the music and [Jeff Tyzik’s] arrangements were superb. The orchestra performed beautifully and really seemed to enjoy themselves.”
– Henry Panion III, PhD, Guest Conductor, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra
