Rock icons inspire new Eisemann show

By Shari Goldstein Stern

The moment you hear the smooth, but powerful beat of “Movin’ Out,” on Friday, May 6 at 8 p.m. in the Eisemann Performance Center in Richardson, you will know you’re at the right place. You will feel the beat again on Friday, June 10 with “GO NOW!” Both concerts are just in time for Mother’s Day on May 8, and Father’s Day on June 19.

Backtracking, on October 24, 2002, a talented young man stepped onto the Richard Rodgers Theatre stage as the lead in Broadway show, “Movin’ Out.” His name is Michael Cavanaugh, and now 20 years later he’s still energetically movin’ out to Dallas. Cavanaugh will appear at the Eisemann Performance Center Friday with his award-winning band, Movin’ Out. 

Award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp’s musical played in Dallas in 2015 to riveted audiences. Cavanaugh, the 2002 Tony Award Nominee for Best Actor Featured Role in a Musical for “Movin’ Out,” toured with the show. He appeared on some dates but did not perform the role in the Dallas stop. According to the artist, even though he didn’t appear in some cities, his photo was on the tour posters, soundtrack, billboards and the television promotions, so many people are familiar with his face and voice. 

Cavanaugh said: “My band and I have played with both the Fort Worth and Dallas Symphony Orchestras several times and always had a warm welcome from the audience. We look forward to entertaining a Texas audience again.”

 The show features the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, as does the musical “Movin’ Out.” Whether audiences are enamored with the music of these two rock legends or with an evening of powerful music, this sounds like it will be a rockin’ occasion.

“My band consists of five world-class musicians. When they are not with me, they are playing with Diana Ross, Hall and Oates, Asia, Lou Gramm of Foreigner and more well-known musicians,” Cavanaugh added. 

The Eisemann has built a reputation of bringing the most sought-after music to its stage, and Friday’s show should be no exception. It will kick off a warm Mother’s Day (May 8) weekend. Just in time to celebrate Father’s Day in June, audiences can look forward to the mellow swell of “Nights in White Satin” at the Eisemann. “GO NOW!” presents the music of The Moody Blues. Baby Boomers and their kids will enjoy this evening of music and can treat Dad for Father’s Day (June 19) to this pleasant memory of the ’60s on June 10.

According to Gordon (Gordy) Marshall, who joined the Moody Blues in 1990 and played for 25 years, “It was a total joy from start to finish. I fell in love with the music and the guys in the band.”

Marshall continued, “Being a touring musician, especially for a band as iconic as The Moody Blues, is hands down the best job in the world.”

When the Moody Blues slowed down on touring, Marshall wanted to continue playing the music, so he put “GO NOW!” together. “GO NOW!” was the first number one hit of the Moody Blues. Marshall said: “When I started my tribute to them, I took that song name, changed it to all CAPS, put an exclamation mark after it and called our band GO NOW! Our strap line is ‘Performs The Music of The Moody Blues.’”

Marshall said, “The Moody Blues performed together for so long because they collectively never stopped writing, but also because they accumulated so many wonderful lifelong fans along the way, they were constantly in demand as a live act for over five decades.”

GO NOW! researched the back catalogue and meticulously recreated the sounds and arrangements from the original records, and specialize in performing the music of The Moody Blues live. Marshall spoke pensively: “The musicians of GO NOW! are the absolute best musicians and singers of their generation. Like the London Symphony Orchestra or any great symphony, they take well known music and breathe new life into it in real time, in front of an audience. There is no better experience in my opinion.”

Fans can look forward to hearing many of the classic hits in the GO NOW! playbook, including The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon” and “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere.”

The artist said in closing: “I cannot overemphasize the excitement of the GO NOW! Band to be invited to perform in Texas. I personally performed in almost every major venue in Texas over a period of three decades with the original band. To be bringing my own band back to perform this music is a dream come true.”

Movin’ Out plays on May 6 at 8 p.m. and again on Friday, June 10. For information, visit eisemanncenter.com.