Roger Squitero's hand drum setup for the Broadway production of Motown at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Motown - Roger Squitero

January 31, 2024

Roger Squitero's hand drum setup for the Broadway production of Motown at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City.

Roger's write-up and gear list below photos.

Roger Squitero's hand drum setup for the Broadway production of Motown at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Photo below: Buddy Williams (drums), Gary Seligson (percussion), and Roger Squitero, in the pit of Motown.

Roger Squitero's hand drum setup for the Broadway production of Motown at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Roger:

“I lost my studio in Hurricane Sandy. It was located in the Westbeth building just a block east of the Hudson River in Manhattan. It flooded from floor to ceiling. I pretty much lost a career’s worth of instruments and memorabilia but I was able to salvage some of my stuff.

About a month after Motown opened I realized we were going to be here for a while and decided to decorate my percussion cubicle. I had some old photos and touring laminates that I recovered after the storm so I decided to take them out of a box and put them up. It gives me a sense of where I have been and reminds me of many great friendships I have made in my career. There are a couple photos of Buddy Williams and I that go back 35 years.

I love playing this show because the music is timeless. I grew up listening to these songs and am still amazed by how well they hold up. This was a period of song writing that produced an unbelievable amount of classic hits. Within the first week of rehearsals I realized we had a pretty special band. I had previously worked with Gary Seligson on the Broadway Musical Tarzan (he was the kit player) and so I knew that Buddy, Gary, and I would work well together and I knew a few of the other orchestra players but I was really pleased to find out that the entire orchestra were great veteran musicians with wonderful attitudes. We have a great time working together and the music is flawless.”