DANCING IN THE STREET: THE MUSIC OF MOTOWN

MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

DANCING IN THE STREET: THE MUSIC OF MOTOWN

A Schirmer Theatrical/Greenberg Artists co-production Arrangements by Jeff Tyzik

Friday, March 11, 2022 at 7:30 pm Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 7:30 pm Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 2:30 pm

ALLEN-BRADLEY HALL

Yaniv Dinur, conductor

Shayna Steele, vocalist, Chester Gregory, vocalist, Michael Lynche, vocalist

PROGRAM

“Dancing in the Street”

by Marvin Gaye, Ivy George Hunter and William Stevenson As Recorded by Martha Reeves

“You Really Got a Hold on Me”

by Smokey Robinson As Recorded by The Miracles

“Man’s World”

by James Brown, Betty Jean Newsome and Dwight Grant As Recorded by James Brown

“Reach Out I’ll Be There”

by Holland, Dozier and Holland As Recorded by the Four Tops

“Touch Me in the Morning”

by Michael Masser and Ronald Norman Miller As Recorded by Diana Ross

“Just to See Her”

by Jimmy George and Louis Pardini As Recorded by Smokey Robinson

“How Sweet It Is”

by Holland, Dozier and Holland As Recorded by Marvin Gaye

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson As Recorded by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson

“Song for You”

by Leon Russell As Recorded by Donny Hathaway

“Superstition”

by Stevie Wonder As Recorded by Stevie Wonder

INTERMISSION

“Let’s Groove Tonight”

by Maurice White and Wayne Lee Vaughn As Recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire

“I Feel Good”

by James Brown As Recorded by James Brown

“My Guy”

by Smokey Robinson As Recorded by Mary Wells

“My Girl”

by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White As Recorded by The Temptations

“Endless Love”

by Lionel Richie As Recorded by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross

“Could It Be I’m Falling in Love”

by Melvin Steals and Mervin Steals As Recorded by The Spinners

“Don’t Leave Me This Way”

by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert As Recorded by Thelma Houston

“Higher and Higher”

by Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner and Carl William Smith As Recorded by Jackie Wilson

“All the Night Long”

by Lionel Richie As Recorded by Lionel Richie

“Signed Sealed Delivered”

by Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, Lula Mae Hardaway and Syreeta Wright

As Recorded by Stevie Wonder

ALL ARRANGEMENTS LICENSED BY SCHIRMER THEATRICAL, LLC

Creative Team Robert Thompson, Producer Jeff Tyzik, Producer & Arranger Jami Greenberg, Producer & Booking Agent Alyssa Foster, Producer Mary Helen Gustafson, Assistant Producer

The length of this concert is approximately 2 hours. All programs subject to change.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra can be heard on Telarc, Koss Classics, Pro Arte, AVIE, and Vox/Turnabout recordings. MSO Classics recordings (digital only) available on iTunes and at mso.org. MSO Binaural recordings (digital only) available at mso.org.

Guest Artist Biographies

SHAYNA STEELE

SHAYNA

STEELE

With a voice that the London Jazz News says “unleashes enough voltage to light up the West End.” Shayna Steele has made her mark as an in-demand vocalist in the studio and on the stage.

In 2005, hearing that Moby “needed a screamer” for a track off his new album Hotel, a mutual friend recommended Steele, resulting in the disc’s second single “Raining Again.” Two years later, she was back, laying down vocals for “Extreme Ways (2007)” - Moby’s theme song to The Bourne Ultimatum, The Bourne Legacy, and Jason Bourne - and in early 2008, “Disco Lies,” the first single off of Moby’s 2008 release Last Night. The song reached #1 on the US Billboard Dance charts and went on to be featured in J.J. Abram’s summer blockbuster Cloverfield and the movie The Backup Plan starring Jennifer Lopez. Her voice has remained highly in demand with vocals on Hairspray (movie soundtrack), Sex and the City 2, NBC’s Smash, 2008 Summer Olympic highlights on BBC, and the 2021 release of In the Heights (Motion Picture Soundtrack). Steele has made television guest appearances on HBO’s The Sopranos, and she reprised her Broadway role with the “Dynamites” in NBC’s Hairspray Live.

Steele has appeared as a soloist and guest artist with over 40 symphony orchestras throughout North America. Her most recent solo concert Nothin’ But the Blues, written and conducted by Maestro Jeff Tyzik, is one of many highlights in her symphonic solo career.

She continues to tour all over the world with her band playing her original music, is a regular guest artist with Grammy-award winning trumpeter Chris Botti, and is recording her third studio album, set for release in Spring of 2022.

CHESTER GREGORY

CHESTER

GREGORY

Chester Gregory is an award winning singer and actor. He was last seen starring in Motown the Musical as Berry Gordy. Broadway credits include Motown the Musical, Hairspray, Tarzan, Cry-Baby, and Sister Act. Other credits include August Wilson’s Fences and Two Trains Running. He has toured nationally with Dreamgirls, Sister Act, as well as his one-man show The Eve of Jackie Wilson. Gregory has received many awards, including the Jeff Award and a NAACP Theatre Award, and he has been presented the key to the city of his hometown of Gary, Indiana, and in East Chicago. He has also been chosen as an Honorary State Representative of Indiana and has received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater Columbia College Chicago. He is currently producing several projects and recordings. Add him on social media @ChesterGregory and chestergregory.com.

MICHAEL LYNCHE

American Idol Michael Lynche is a new breed of soul singer with classic influences. Traces of Donny Hathaway, Al Green, Luther Vandross, Sam Cooke, and James Brown all seem to flash in this uniquely talented performer. Undeniable charisma, well-crafted song arrangements and a voice soaked in soul give the big man class all his own. “Big Mike”—as he was known while winning over the hearts of a nation during his stint on American Idol— has talent so versatile, he’s played intimate jazz & blues clubs, 20,000 seat arenas, and opera halls with 100 piece orchestras backing him.

A New York City resident for the last 15+ years, this Florida native rose from obscurity as a finalist on season 9 of the hit phenomenon, American Idol. After wowing millions of fans with his comforting and powerful voice and performing throughout the United States as part of the American Idol LIVE! Tour, Lynche has released 2 studio albums, toured as an opening act for Boyz II Men, Lalah Hathaway, Faith Evans, and Lyfe Jennings and toured the world with his honest storytelling brand of soul music.

Since 2012, Lynche has been a frequent featured guest vocalist with Maestro Jeff Tyzik and his hit show – “Let’s Dance!” With the perfect repertoire to showcase his dynamic song range, “Let’s Dance!” has been performed with orchestras all over the US and Canada. Tyzik has been an incredible mentor for Lynche over the years, recognizing a passion and drive in the big man that has made his own career successful. The two have spent the last years collaborating on new, sensational soul inspired Pops concerts including “R&B Legends”, “Kings of Soul,” and “Dancing in the Street – The Music of Motown”.