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Feature
Michael Jackson Character In ‘Motown The Musical’ Visits With Sentinel Staff
The young man who has been described as doing “an outstanding job as Michael Jackson in Motown The Musical, visited with the Sentinel Staff Monday after- noon before he and his par- ents flew out to Omaha, Nebraska for the next stage production.
With writing being is strong subject academically, Reed LoRenzo Shannon had an opportunity to see the newspaper at work – from re- porters to layout, to actual printing.
The 14-year-old whose home-base is Raleigh/Dur- ham, North Carolina, has been with the traveling production for a year. He has done more than 15 cities in 12 months.
Motown The Musical,
Broadway’s first national tour, tells the story behind the hits that are still popular today, featuring the many artists who signed with Motown back in the 1960s. Although many refer to the musical as ‘a juke- box musical,’ Reed calls it a “story of songs.”
The experiences Reed has from the production, from the rehearsals and travels are fas- cinating to him. From the time Berry Gordy, Motown founder, met with the cast of the traveling stage production and welcomed them into the family, Reed said they actu- ally felt like family. The Shan- non family also had high praise for Suzanne De Passe, Entertainment Execu- tive.
As a youngster, he gets along well with the staff. He even shadows many of those who are in charge of putting the production together – from the wardrobe crew to those who hang the lights and load the cargo immediately
Reed, center, as Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5.
Reed Shannon, center, with, from left, Editor Gwen Hayes, his godfather, Tampa resident, Keith Pope, and Reed’s mom, Atty. Be- linda Shannon.
after production. Because of the distance the 18-wheelers had to travel to Nebraska, Reed earned an extra day of rest.
As a 14-year-old, Reed is well protected by his parents – his mom, Belinda Shannon is an attorney and on the Board of Trustees for FAMU, and his dad, Keith, is ever present as he travels. No agents are in- volved. “In every state we travel to, he has to get a work permit,” his mom said. He does miss a few things about being a kid, but traveling around the nation has “al- lowed me to see how the na- tion operates, what other people do,” he said.
When Reed initially ap- proached his parents about auditioning for the part of Michael Jackson, the family was set to travel to Atlanta, a closer distance. However, a few days before they were to leave, Reed’s parents learned that he had not held up his end of the bargain – a Science teacher called to say he had not turned in a report due sev- eral days earlier.
He says, “Yes, I was heart-
broken.” But he knew what he had to do. Before the next au- ditions came up in New York, he had become an honor roll student and been dutiful with his chores. In New York, Reed was chosen over hundreds who auditioned. He shares the role of Michael with Leon Outlaw, Jr., a 13-year-old from Brooklyn, NY.
As a teen actor, Reed is home-schooled through Great Expectations Home School. A teacher travels with them, but his parents choose his curricu- lum. He began his profes- sional career with an appearance on the main stage at Raleigh Memorial Audito- rium in the North Carolina Theatre production of “Oliver.” A short time later he was cast in the production of “Les Miserables.”
Performing since the age of 3, Reed was introduced to Motown by his parents. He did Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There” during a school talent
Reed interviews with the Sentinel Publisher and Editor. His parents are on the right.
show as a second grader. “He has never struggled with con- fidence,” his mother says.
Phil Sylvester LoRenzo Shannon, Reed’s grandfa- ther, is a native of St. Peters- burg, FL.
As he looks ahead, Reed says he would like his story to continue in education, but he
also wants to be a detective and lawyer – that means con- tinuing his education.
Motown The Musical
ended its Broadway run on January 18th. The traveling tour has bookings through 2016, and there are plans to cast in London next spring. (Photos by Keith Pope)
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A