On Friday, February 21, 2026, at 7:30 P.M., the Stockton University Performing Arts Center (PAC) held an event, “Forever Motown: So Good for the Soul” with a sold-out show of over 500 tickets. Doors opened at 7 P.M., but the PAC lobby was already full half an hour prior with an excited audience ready to see the show. 

Forever Motown is a high-energy production that is performed by a cast of veteran entertainers and their band, including former members of The Jones, The Main Ingredient, & The Marvelettes, with incredible Broadway performers who had leading roles in “Dream Girls”, “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God”, “Showboat”, and many more shows.

These artists and performances pay homage to Motown Records and their long line of rich and enticing music for the African American community, that is still known and loved today. This production is on tour and has performed in places such as Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and will continue their tour in places such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Florida, and more!

Motown Records was founded on January 12, 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. He took out an $800 loan to establish a record label in Detroit named Tamla Records, which then soon evolved into what we know today as Motown Records. From there, Gordy bought a house on West Grand Boulevard, naming it “Hitsville U.S.A,” which is now the Motown Museum.

Hitsville became the main operation for Motown Records, with it being Motown’s first headquarters and recording studio. At the time, the recording studio operated for 24 hours a day, giving artists the opportunity to bring their creativity to life within an environment that was filled with nothing but innovation and originality. Motown’s name is a combination of “Motor” and “Town”, paying honor to Detroit’s nickname as the Motor City and Gordy’s experience as an auto-worker on the production lines at the Lincoln Mercury car plant.

The Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson, was the first group to be signed by Motown Records. The label’s first success was “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong. Their first No.1 hit on the Billboard was “Please! Mr Postman” by the Marvelettes, and its first million record seller was “Shop Around” by the Miracles, which was written by Robinson and Gordy.

At it’s beginning, Motown Records produced a plethora of chart topping artists, including Martha and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, Diana Ross, The Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson, which gave Motown recognition for “breaking barriers with music” as their hits started to get popular amongst a diverse audience around the world. 

Gordy had a philosophy that he wanted everyone to adhere to “Keep it Simple, Stupid” (KISS). During the 1967 Detroit Riots, which happened as a result of police raids in black neighborhoods, there was always tension in the air. However, Gordy wanted and used Motown’s music as a way of bringing people together and unifying them despite their background. His vision was simply for people to enjoy the music.

Some songs that were performed during “Forever Motown” were: “Dancing in the Street” by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, “Can’t Help Myself” by Four Tops, “Too Many Fish in the Sea” and “Please Mr. Postman, by The Marvelettes,  “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder, “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & The Pips, “You Keep Me Hanging On,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop! In the Name of Love” by The Supremes, and “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye.

They also sang some of the Temptations’ greatest hits, such as “Get it Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Girl,” and “I’m Losing You.” The final two songs were “Upside Down” by Diana Ross and “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” by the Jacksons.

During these performances, there were some quick changes, a live band (including drums, guitar, bass, piano, and saxophone), projections, and a history of the artist before each set. At the end of the show, Traci Robinson, a former member of the Marvelettes, had the crowd yell Happy Birthday for a cast member.

Many people after the show expressed how much they enjoyed it, and their expectations were exceeded. They hope that the PAC can bring Forever Motown again. 

For more opportunities to see shows at Stockton’s Performing Arts Center, click here.