Featuring an eighteen piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including “My Girl”, “Dancing In The Street”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, Motown The Musical is a musical sensation with real soul. Perhaps that is why Gordy and his creative team, led by director Charles Randolph-Wright, seem so worried they left out an audience favorite that they crammed in more than 50 hits. The musical is based on Berry Gordy’s 1994 autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories Of Motown. Motown the Musical tells the thrilling tale of the man who broke barriers, fought against the odds to create something more than a record label. Featuring a soundtrack of over 50 hits from some of the biggest stars of all time, including Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Motown The Musical captures the story of this iconic record label through a new jukebox musical about its founder Berry Gordy. The cast stars Cedric Neal (as Berry Gordy), Lucy St. Louis (as Diana Ross), Sifiso Mazibuko (as Marvin Gaye), and Obioma Ugoala (as Smokey Robinson). With Amanda Elliott, Richard R. Lee, Clifton Oliver, Allison Semmes. Music supervision and arrangements were by Ethan Popp, with orchestrations by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook. Motown The Musical. It stars Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, and Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson.. How does it work? This exhilarating show charts Motown founder Berry Gordy’s incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL AT LONDON'S SHAFTESBURY THEATRE. This exhilarating show charts Motown founder Berry Gordy’s incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more. Motown Museum Expansion. Help. [13][14] A UK and Ireland tour began on October 11, 2018, at The Alexandra, Birmingham. New Victoria Theatre, Woking. The story begins in 1983, on the evening of the 25th anniversary celebration of Motown, and Berry Gordy is looking back on his career. Motown: The Musical is a jukebox musical that premiered on Broadway in April 2013. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL tells the thrilling tale of the man who broke barriers , fought against the odds to create something more than a record label. Membership. Discover the story behind Motown, the personal relationships, the professional struggles, and – of course – the music that made history, defined the sound of a generation and got the whole world moving to the same beat. [18], Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today), I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, "Berry Gordy's 'Motown: The Musical' preparing to make Broadway debut", "'Motown The Musical' Celebrates Its Second Broadway Opening", "Motown Sets Dates and Theatre for Broadway Return", "Breaking: Broadway Motown Announces Closing", "Motown the Musical to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre", "MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Will Play Final West End Performance 20 April 2019", "Casting Announced for Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre", HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix, 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Michael Jackson, Thriller 25: Limited Japanese Single Collection, 50 Best Songs – The Motown Years: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary, Mind Is the Magic: Anthem for the Las Vegas Show, Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson, Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Motown:_The_Musical&oldid=1004562840, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Outstanding Choreographer in a Broadway Show, Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show, "Can I Close the Door" (music by Gordy and Michael Lovesmith; lyrics by Gordy and Lovesmith), "Got a Job" (music by Smokey Robinson, Gordy and, "Hail to the Beat" (music by Gordy and Lovesmith; lyrics by Gordy and Lovesmith), "Hey Joe (Black Like Me)" (music by Gordy and Lovesmith; lyrics by Gordy and Lovesmith), "It's What's in the Grooves That Counts" (music by Gordy and Lovesmith; lyrics by Gordy and Lovesmith), "My Mama Done Told Me" (music by Smokey Robinson, Gordy and Carlo; lyrics by Robinson, Gordy and Carlo), "To Be Loved" (music by Gordy, Fuqua and Carlo; lyrics by Gordy, Fuqua and Carlo), "You Are You" (music by Gordy; lyrics by Gordy), This page was last edited on 3 February 2021, at 06:05. Book your Motown the Musical tickets, playing at The Shaftesbury Theatre today. 'Motown: the Musical' tells the true story behind the famous music that took the world by storm. Motown The Musical is currently performing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Grand Center until Sunday, March 26th. Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group.It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Packages. Motown The Musical (Original, Musical, Drama, Broadway) opened in New York City Jul 12, 2016 and played through Jul 31, 2016. Berry discovers the Supremes and Diana Ross, among many others. Motown The Musical has now arrived in London’s West End. In a flashback, the young Berry Gordy watches the neighbors dancing in Detroit. The musical has a book by Berry Gordy, based on his 1994 autobiography, To Be Loved: the Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown. [15], The musical contains a total of 66 songs. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Shows. Now, experience the next electrifying chapter in the Motown story. Gifts. Celebrate Motown the Musical and take a listen to some of the biggest, boldest songs in the show. In 2011, Berry announced he was working on a Broadway musical based on the book and his experiences creating and building Motown Records. Choose your seats via our live booking platform, once payment is completed you will receive an … Plus, music by Daddy's Cash ("This Is My Party"). The recording stars sing their popular numbers, including: Diana Ross ("I Hear a Symphony", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", and "You're All I Need to Get By"), Stevie Wonder, The Supremes ("Buttered Popcorn", "Where Did Our Love Go"), The Miracles ("Shop Around"), The Marvelettes ("Please Mr. Postman"), Mary Wells ("Bye Bye Baby"/"Two Lovers Medley"), The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas ("Dancing in the Street"), The Contours ("Do You Love Me"), and The Jackson 5. The consistent display of her genuine star power — most evident in a thrilling 'Reach Out and Touch' segment — also draws us in. Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations – 'Motown: the Musical' shows how these legendary artists and so many … With just $800 borrowed from his family, Berry Gordy founded Motown records and launched the careers of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and many more. The music and lyrics are from the Motown catalog. It's not just her almost spot-on re-creation of Miss Ross' breathy voice and steely demeanor that commands our attention. The tale of Motown Records and the man who fought to create something more than just a record label and brought to us music that defined a generation. In 1957, the adult Berry forms his own record label, and begins to make lifelong friends with recording artists/singers such as Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack that changed America. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Short of putting a physical jukebox on the stage and playing a succession of the records … Motown the Musical is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever. Read more. [3][4] The production was directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by ESosa, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski, and projection design by Daniel Brodie. Featuring all the classics you love. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL follows the legendary career of Berry Gordy and the creation of his musical empire, Motown Records. But just as importantly, the piece also serves as a celebration of the music that brought America's black and white populations together in a way nothing else ever did. change. The story revolves around the early days of Motown and Berry Gordy's romance with Diana Ross. The performers put their songs across with verve and an admirable lack of self-consciousness, given that the audience is likely to be intimately familiar with every nuance of phrasing from the original recordings...."[2], Rather than giving us a complex portrait on this fascinating businessman, the show's shoddily written book is essentially a self-serving theatrical memoir in which Gordy gets to tell his life story. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) Stevie’s 1976 tribute to the swing jazz giants who inspired … [3], The musical finished its original Broadway run on January 18, 2015, closing after 37 previews and 738 regular performances. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Songs in Motown the Musical ABC – The Jackson 5 Live at. When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes (Diana Ross & The Supremes) … The production's music and lyrics are taken from selections from the Motown catalog. Venues. Motown: The Musical is a jukebox musical that premiered on Broadway in April 2013. BROADWAY SHOWS SUSPENDED THROUGH MAY 30th. Motown The Musical (Original, Musical, Drama, Broadway) opened in New York City Apr 14, 2013 and played through Jan 18, 2015. The musical is based on Berry Gordy's autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown (1994),[1] and on the history of his founding and running of the Motown record label, and his personal and professional relationships with Motown artists such as Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson. This is Motown the Musical! Motown the Musical may just be the ultimate jukebox musical. Tue 20 Aug 2019 - Sat 24 Aug 2019. Now, experience the next electrifying chapter in the Motown story. Based on the life story of legendary Motown founder Berry Gordy, and featuring classic songs from the Motown catalog, “Motown: The Musical” was nominated for four Tony Awards and was the top-selling new musical of the 2012–13 season. The following song list is not the order of the songs in the production:[17], Charles Isherwood, in his review for The New York Times, wrote: "More than 50 songs...are performed in 'Motown,' usually, alas, in truncated versions. [5], A national tour began in April 2014, featuring Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes. Interviews with Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes, the lead stars of "Motown: The Musical" national tour. "Motown: The Musical" is not a groundbreaking musical, but then it doesn't have to be; it simply has to stir up memories of good times while creating new ones. Featuring fifty classic Motown hits including … From Groundbreaking to Breaking New Ground. is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever. The musical is based on Berry Gordy's autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown (1994), and on the history of his founding and running of the Motown record label, and his personal and professional relationships with Motown artists such as Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson. Motown was always a serious business, fuelled by the sweetest sounds. 208 W. 41st Street [12] The West End production was directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, who also directed this musical on Broadway and its US tour. Motown: The Musical is a jukebox musical. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Motown: The Musical premiered on Broadway, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, on April 14, 2013, after previews starting on March 11. Motown the musical is showing at the 1,400 seat Shaftesbury Theatre which is located at 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP. The production's music and lyrics are taken from selections from the Motown catalog. Broadway’s record-breaking smash hit that tells the true story behind the beat that changed minds, touched lives and took the world by storm. [2] It received four nominations at the 67th Tony Awards. London. After speculation that a London production would be staged in the Dominion Theatre, which will be refurbished after We Will Rock You closes,[10] an eventual West End production was announced in May 2015 for the Shaftesbury Theatre, which began on February 11, 2016,[11] running until April 20, 2019. I can honestly say that, despite its shortcomings, this show did that for both of us that afternoon last April. Motown - The Musical tour dates listed on … An early, extended version of Martha & The Vandellas' 'Dancing in the Street' proves not just a high point (abetted by energetic choreography from Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams), but a false promise of what lies ahead....The one person who truly shines, though, is Valisia LeKae as Gordy's longtime paramour, superstar Diana Ross. Most are simply presented as concert versions by the actors playing the artists who made them famous, but a few are shoehorned awkwardly into the story as 'book' songs.... Making way for so much music means that 'Motown' breezily scrimps on storytelling. Motown the Musical, London: See 1,334 reviews, articles, and 244 photos of Motown the Musical, ranked No.97 on Tripadvisor among 445 attractions in London. The musical has an exciting soundtrack that features songs from Motown legends including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Featuring all the classics you love, Motown the Musical tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack that changed America. The result is that too few of the beloved Motown classics receive the kind of full-scale, all-out renditions they deserve. Motown the Musical is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever. [8] However, the run closed earlier than expected, on July 31, 2016.[9]. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer [6], The show returned to Broadway on July 12, 2016,[7] for an announced 18-week run at the Nederlander Theatre. The show is playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and is currently scheduled to run until February 2017. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy's journey, from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. "Motown The Musical" signage, at the Oriental Theater - Ford Center for the Performing Arts on March 20, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. Discover the story behind the sound that moved the world. 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