Memphis to Motown hits Upper Canada Playhouse from Oct. 17-27

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MORRISBURG — The stage at the Upper Canada Playhouse will be jam-packed with hits as the concert Memphis to Motown runs from Oct. 17-27.

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Playhouse artistic director Donnie Bowes described the production, organized and directed by Chris McHarge, as assembling one of the largest group of musicians to perform on the Morrisburg stage in recent memory. He said the talent, range, and experience of the performers is incredible, making Memphis to Motown a popular and fitting complement to the playhouse’s regular theatre season.

The concert features performances of classics from the Motown catalogue, hits such as Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay, Dancing in the Street, Midnight Train to Georgia, My Girl, You Can’t Hurry Love, and I Heard It Through the Grapevine. These titles were pushed to top of the charts by artists such as Otis Redding, Martha and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Temptations, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye.

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Memphis to Motown also includes songs from The Supremes, The Four Tops, Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, and Smokey Robinson.

McHarge is no stranger to the playhouse, having staged previous concerts from his production house at the venue and even created a few that premiered in Morrisburg. He directed Leaving Marjorie Bliss which was staged at the playhouse this past August.

The musicians participating in Memphis to Motown include Gord Aichele on the saxophone, Andy Gravitis on trumpet, Lew Mele on bass, Justin Bacchus on vocals, Kevin Dempsey on drums, Peter Mueller on guitar, Stephen Ingram on keyboards and vocals, and Imogen Wasse on vocals.

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Memphis to Motown marks the second-last set of shows in the playhouse’s 2024 season. The final production for this season will be Miracle on 34th Street, scheduled to run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 15, with performances scheduled for both school shows and the public.

Memphis to Motown’s 10-day run includes 2 p.m, shows from Thursday, Oct. 17 to Sunday Oct. 20, and again from Tuesday, Oct. 22 to Sunday, Oct. 27. There are 7:30 p.m. performances on Oct. 17, 19, 24, and 26. Tickets are available by calling the playhouse at 613-543-3713 or toll-free at 1-877-550-3650, or by visiting www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

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