Overall Rating
3.3
By Queenie52
Waste of time and money!!!
Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment - Long Beach
How can you present play about marvin gaye and not showcase his music????? Staging sets, acoustics, and overall content was awful !!!
By muzyck
Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment - Long Beach
A stage play that suppose to take you through events leading up to the final gun shot that fatally ended Marvin's life. Based on the book, My Brother Marvin which includes handwrittn excerpts by Marvin and a memoir by his younger sister, Zeola Gaye. The 2013 cast includes the Oscar Nominee, Lynn Whitfield as Marvin’s mother (Alberta Gaye), Clifton Powell (Marvin Gaye Sr), Keith Washington (Marvin Gaye), Tony Grant (Played Marvin in his younger years) and Lia Grant (Tammi Terrell & Tina Turner), Michael Knowlton (David Ruffin). Clifton Powell, Lynn Whitfield, Keith Washington each were good. Overall I feel the play was not good. Lame. There should have been a disclaimer in advance prior to purchasing tickets stating no songs of Marvin will be used in play. Rather than disclosed such info at the end of show. The So call Motown songs that were used in play I never heard of such lyrics in my life. Used songs with beats and melodies that sound similar like original songs and lyrics that's familiar. However, there were noticeable differences. A pure case of deception. The end was plain awful. I stop taking pictures.
By TiggerSue
Amazing Play
Long Beach Terrace - Long Beach
What a great story told by Marvin's sister. They all did a wonderful job, the cast, production, band, directing. It was brilliant. It was very sad that they were not allowed to use Marvin's music in the play, I think that was the missing piece to the play, but even without it, what a great piece of work. Everyone should make this a must see!!!
By Van55
My Brother Marvin
Pantages Theatre - Los Angeles
Prior to attending this event, I had read the other reviews and knew that Marvin Gaye's music would not be part of the play, therefore, I wasn't too disappointed. However, after attending the play, I felt that the performance was great, but without the music, the play was just, "ok."
By FingazMom
I Loved My Brother Marvin
Pantages Theatre - Los Angeles
Thanks to Zeola Gaye for telling her story as this was a very interesting and well cast piece of work. Kudos to the cast. You all should see this play if the tour continues!
By PDFS
"My Brother Marvin"
Pantages Theatre - Los Angeles
I recently read "Divided Soul, The Life of Marvin Gaye" written by Marvin Gaye & David Ritz. Zeola Gaye's play "My Brother Marvin" is basically identical to Marvin's own words. The 3 actors that play Marvin capture his essence - Havier Roller (teenage Marvin), Tony Grant (young adult Marvin) & Keith Washington (adult Marvin). In particular, Tony Grant's voice is absolutely amazing...in fact, I don't understand why he's not a famous recording artist in his own right??? (If Berry Gordy were still in the music business, he would make Tony Grant a star). Lynn Whitfield & Clifton Powell are perfect as Marvin's parents! We get to see them fall in & out of love and the reasons why. We also see the intensity between Marvin & his father from childhood until the end. Everyone else was great! I do hope Zeola gets the rights to use the music - of the musical genius, her brother Marvin Gaye! My prayer is for them to get the producer & director that made "Ray" Charles movie to bring Marvin Gaye's life story to the big screen...introducing the man & his music to a whole new generation...
By LinJ
My Brother Marvin was bittersweet...
Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment - Long Beach
I enjoyed the story, actors performance and dancers, but was very disappointed, of the legal matters preventing the singing/performing of live Marvin Gaye songs, and the fact that I didn't find out until the announcement at the performance...;-(
By GeeGee6211
Must see, should be Big Screen Movie
Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment - Long Beach
I really enjoyed this play! I had not been out in so long, never having funds to do anything. I had some money (Should paid bill) I bought a ticket and enjoyed myself for the first time in a long time and I bought Zee's book. The play left me wanting more.
By Cherokee526
Extremely Disappointed...
Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment - Long Beach
This was very shameful and deceptive on the part of Zeola. I am not sure of the intentions; however I was completely disappointed in the play. I believed that I would hear Marvin Gaye's music and learn something that I did not know; not the case. It wasn't bad enough that I could hear due to technical difficulties, but putting your family's dirty laundry on display for profit is distasteful and very embarrassing. I am in the opinion of if Marvin himself didn't not "put it out there." Zeola should have left if alone; and anyway I never heard anything about her until UnSung.....My prayers are with her and the production company
By MsMoMo
My Brother Marvin kept it Real!
Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment - Long Beach
Absolutely loved the play! Surprised that the story was told without any sugar-coating. It was real. Although it would have been the ultimate to have his (Marvin's) music, I like that there were some other artists music that was shared. Hope Zeola gets the music for future plays, that will be all she needs to make it that much better!