Hitzville Keeps Motown Alive at Harmon Theater


The grand opening and media preview of “Hitzville - The Show” took place on August 20 at the Harmon Theater, located next to the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The show is a Motown revue, featuring the music of some of its most famous artists, performed live by headliner Jin Jin Reeves and a talented cast of musicians and singer/dancers.

Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan

As the star and producer of “Hitzville – The Show”, Jin-Jin Reeves possesses an impressive musical background. A native of Detroit, Michigan herself, Reeves won a scholarship to the prestigious Julliard School, has appeared on “Star Search”, and has shared the stage with such entertainment luminaries as Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Barry White and Bob Hope. She’s a world-class entertainer, having performed in such places as Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Venezuela, Spain, Mexico City and Hawaii. Screen credits include “Amistad”, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “A Raisin in the Sun”, and “Mississippi Burning.” As a dancer, she’s graced the stage with the Soul Train Music Awards, Alvin Ailey & Clifford Fears, The American Music Awards’ Tribute to Prince, and Chester Whitmore’s Black Ballet Jazz.

Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan

Reeves now lives in Henderson.

During the course of “Hitzville - The Show”, Reeves shares the stage with two female back-up singer/dancers and a quartet of gentlemen who pay vocal tribute to The Drifters, The Temptations, and The Four Tops. Reeves herself portrays Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Martha Reaves, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. Some of the audience-rousing tunes you’ll recognize are “My Guy”, “Natural Woman”, “Where Did Our Love Go?” “Same Old Song”, “Ain’t No Woman”, “Rollin’ On a River” “Heat Wave” “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch”, “Up On The Roof” and “Stop - in the Name of Love.”

Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan

Fair Play backs up the music behind “Hitzville – The Show”, and Daniel Mitchell, Ron Stevenson, Erskine Walcott, Larry Williams and Freddie Erskine recreate the sound with keyboards, drums, bass and lead guitars and a set of large bongos, a la Desi Arnaz. The band has performed in Europe, Canada, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi and at the Luxor Hotel & Casino.

Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan

Costumes and choreography change frequently and the performers never miss a chance to interact with the enthusiastic crowd. Sing-a-longs occur spontaneously and the hand clapping rarely ceases, illustrating how beloved these songs are, able to transport you back to a younger time where you can reminisce back to a time where pants actually fit the men that wore them, and lyrics endeared the sexes to each other without crude slang references.

The performers love the material as much as the audience; you can tell by their smiles and their moves. You can tell by Jin Jin’s energy and spotlight smile. You can certainly tell by what you’re hearing that this music is a national treasure and that these multi-talented folks are preserving it for us every night at The Harmon Theater.

Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan

This can be a dinner show, (there’s a $30 ticket price differential) and what food complements the soulful music of Motown more than Southern cuisine? Chef John Landry, formerly of Novo Italiano at the Palms, has created an all-you-can-eat buffet full of the famous comfort food: macaroni and cheese, corn bread, collard greens, mashed potatoes, smothered steak, pulled pork, fried chicken, bead pudding and peach cobbler are among the delectable dishes that await you. The bread pudding alone will have you wondering how Chef Landry was able to snag a piece of heaven into an ordinary bowl.

Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan

For an evening of authentic Americana, born and raised right here in the United States, served alongside a Southern buffet but just as tasty, be sure to check out “Hitzville – The Show” for a nostalgic ride back in time. Jin Jin and Motown will gladly provide the transportation.



For further information:

Hitzville - The Show
Performances Wednesday - Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

Harmon Theater
3663 S. Las Vegas Blvd. #600
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
(702) 836-0836
http://www.harmontheater.com