Now that the Segal Centre for Performing Arts has dubbed itself “The Broadway of Montreal,” there may be no better show to present than Detroit: Music of the Motor City. This staged concert hits the Sylvan Adams Theatre stage April 12 to May 3 via Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre, celebrating the legendary sounds that shaped a city and influenced the world.
The 90-minute high energy presentation will cover 70 years of music, from Motown soul and jazz to rock and hip-hop. Travis Knights, Andrew Penner, Hailey Gillis, and SATE (Saidah Baba Talibah), backed by a live band, will belt out the tunes. Knights and Penner are no strangers to the Segal Centre. They starred in last season’s sold-out hit The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience. “Audience members will be dancing in their seats,” promises Penner. “They can even stand to dance if that wanna!”
Penner told The Suburban how proud he is of this show for which he is the co-creator. “I did the arrangements and music. I direct and I also help narrarate along with the other performers,” he notes, adding that he sings lead on Black Day in July, Seven Nation Army, and teams up for a duet with Hailey on I Want You Back.
Based in Toronto, Penner — known for his work as an actor, musician, composer, and sound designer — has appeared in various productions, including Soulpepper Theatre’s Spoon River and As You Like It, as well as Ghost Quartet and Natasha, Pierre And The Great Comet Of 1812 at Crows Theatre. His contributions to theatre and music have earned him recognition and accolades, including a Dora Mavor Moore Award for outstanding sound design/composition. He is also the founder of the arts collective Kitchenband, which creates original works inspired by obscure history and geography. “I grew up close to Detroit and always wanted to make a show that talked about the area’s contribution to culture,” Penner says about this present-day project.
Among the timeless hits in the show are Dancing in the Street by Martha and the Vandellas, My Girl by The Temptations, What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye, and Lose Yourself by Eminem. Audiences will learn how Detroit was once hailed as “The City of the Future.” From the rhythm of the automobile assembly line to the rise of Motown Records and beyond, the city’s music tells a powerful story of innovation, struggle, and resilience, bringing audiences on a vibrant journey through the sounds that emerged from its streets, studios, and stages.
What are Penner’s favourite songs from the show? “It changes from night to night, but the closing song where we mash up several songs is always a highlight of the evening,” he says.
As for the rehearsals, Penner says they have been a lot of fun. “There have been a lot of laughs. I love all the people in this room.”
Penner is thrilled to be back at the Segal Centre. “Montreal is my favourite city in Canada, so to come back is so exciting,” he says. ”We had such a great time performing The Secret Chord, and we think the Montreal audience is going to absolutely love this show.”
For more information log on to www.segalcentre.org