Lexi Webster
Motown the Musical is a Broadway show that tells the story of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, and his journey from featherweight boxer to music mogul. The musical features classic songs from legendary artists such as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye, among others. While the show initially ended its run in 2016, it has since reopened on Broadway and is also expected to tour the UK in 2025. However, there is no current indication of the musical coming to Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show name | Motown The Musical |
| Show type | Musical |
| Show location | Broadway, UK, Australia |
| Show dates | 2025 |
| Show description | The story of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, and the artists he helped launch, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye. |
| Show features | Music, dance routines, glittering costumes |
| Show reviews | Positive, with praise for the acting, singing, storyline, and choreography. |
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What You'll Learn
Motown the Musical: The story
Motown: The Musical is a jukebox musical that premiered on Broadway in April 2013. The musical is based on Berry Gordy's autobiography, 'To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown', and his founding and running of the Motown record label. The production's music and lyrics are taken from selections from the Motown catalog.
The musical tells the story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed American culture forever. It charts Motown founder Berry Gordy's journey from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul. Gordy launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and many others. The musical tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry, and the whole Motown family fought against the odds to create the soundtrack that changed America.
The West End production of the musical was directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, who also directed the Broadway production and its US tour. The cast included Cedric Neal (as Berry Gordy), Lucy St. Louis (as Diana Ross), Sifiso Mazibuko (as Marvin Gaye), and Obioma Ugoala (as Smokey Robinson). The West End production ran from February 11, 2016, to April 20, 2019, at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
The musical has also had a UK and Ireland tour, which began on October 11, 2018, at The Alexandra in Birmingham. In addition, there is a touring production called "The Magic of Motown", which has been seen by over a million people and features Motown classics from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and many others.
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Motown the Musical: Touring outside of the US
Motown the Musical has been performed on Broadway and in the UK, but it is unclear if it will be coming to Australia. The musical tells the story of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, and the artists he helped bring to fame, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye. The show features over 40 classic songs, such as "My Girl," "What's Going On," "Dancing in the Street," and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."
Motown the Musical first premiered on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre and ran until July 31, 2016. It later returned to Broadway, with performances taking place through January 18. The show has also been performed in various cities across the UK, including London's West End, and has been seen by over a million people worldwide.
While there does not appear to be any current plans to bring Motown the Musical to Australia, the show has been a success in other parts of the world. The musical has received positive reviews from audiences, with some praising the production, choreography, acting, and singing.
Although specific future tour dates are not mentioned, one source encourages readers to enter their email addresses to be alerted when Motown the Musical announces new dates. This could indicate that the show may be planning future tours outside of the US, but no official information has been released.
In addition to the official Motown the Musical production, there is another show called "The Magic of Motown" that is currently touring the UK in 2025. This show celebrates the music of Motown with performances of classic songs by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and many others. It is described as a "party" and a "celebration" of the sound of Motown.
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Motown the Musical: The songs
Motown the Musical is a jukebox musical that premiered on Broadway in April 2013. The musical is based on Berry Gordy's autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown and tells the story of Motown Records' rise and its golden age. It features a bright and talented group of actors and vocalists and includes several essential Motown classics.
The musical contains a total of 66 songs, with over 50 hits performed in the show. Most of the songs are presented as concert versions by the actors playing the artists who made them famous, with a few "book songs" shoehorned into the story. The production's music and lyrics are taken from selections from the Motown catalog, with songs from artists such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Miracles, The Marvelettes, Mary Wells, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, The Contours, and The Jackson 5.
Some of the songs featured in the musical include:
- "I Hear a Symphony" by Diana Ross
- "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You" by Diana Ross
- "You're All I Need to Get By" by Diana Ross
- "Buttered Popcorn" by The Supremes
- "Where Did Our Love Go" by The Supremes
- "Shop Around" by The Miracles
- "Please Mr. Postman" by The Marvelettes
- "Bye Bye Baby/Two Lovers Medley" by Mary Wells
- "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas
- "Do You Love Me" by The Contours
In addition to these classic Motown songs, the musical also features two new songs co-written by Berry Gordy himself: "Hey Joe (Black Like Me)" and "Can I Close the Door (On Love)”.
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Motown the Musical: The sound
Motown the Musical tells the story of the record label's founder, Berry Gordy, and the artists he worked with to create the iconic "Motown sound". This unique sound, which hit the airwaves in 1959, was a type of soul music with mainstream pop appeal. It typically featured tambourines, prominent electric bass guitar lines, melodic chord structures, and a call-and-response singing style from gospel music. The musical features over 50 classic Motown songs, including truncated versions of popular numbers by artists such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.
The "Motown sound" was crafted with an ear for pop appeal, but it also played a vital role in the racial integration of popular music. As an African American-owned label, Motown achieved crossover success with white audiences. The label's music was enjoyed by black and white audiences alike, and its songs became anthems for the civil rights movement. The musical showcases the story of how this sound came to be, and how it united people of different races.
In the 1960s, the "Motown sound" became the basis of the northern soul movement in the United Kingdom. It influenced several non-Motown artists of that decade, such as Dusty Springfield and the Foundations. Smokey Robinson, one of the key artists of the Motown label, had a unique perspective on the "Motown sound". He believed that it was not just about the audible aspects of the music, but also about the spiritual connection between the people who made it.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 2013 and has since been staged in various locations, including a West End production and a US tour. The show has received nominations at the Tony Awards and has been celebrated for its music and choreography. The production design, including scenic design, costumes, lighting, and sound, has also been recognised.
While there is no mention of a specific plan to bring the musical to Australia, it has been performed in various countries and has had multiple tours, indicating its widespread appeal and potential for future international showings.
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Motown the Musical: The cast
Motown: The Musical is a jukebox musical that premiered on Broadway in April 2013. The show is based on Berry Gordy's autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown and tells the story of his journey from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul. The musical features a range of talented actors who portray iconic figures in the music industry.
The original Broadway cast of Motown the Musical included Bryan Terrell Clark as Marvin Gaye, Rebecca E. Covington, Brandon Victor Dixon, Andrea Dora as Suzanne de Passe, Preston W. Dugger III, Marva Hicks, Tiffany Janene Howard, Sasha Hutchings, Sydney Morton, Jesse Nager, Milton Craig Nealy, and Dominic Nolfi. Eric LaJuan Summers, Ephraim Sykes, and Chester Gregory, who played the role of Eddie Souther, also joined the cast.
The West End production, which began in February 2016, starred Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye, and Obioma Ugoala as Smokey Robinson.
Other notable performers who have graced the stage in various productions of Motown the Musical include J.J. Batteast, Leon Outlaw Jr., and Valisia LeKae, who portrayed Diana Ross and received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical.
The musical showcases the incredible talent of its cast, bringing to life the story of Berry Gordy and the iconic Motown sound that changed the cultural landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
I cannot confirm if and when Motown the Musical is coming to Australia. However, the show is coming to the UK and Broadway.
Motown the Musical tells the story of Berry Gordy and the founding of his record label, Motown Records. The musical showcases the personal relationships and professional struggles that defined the sound of a generation and transformed America.
Motown the Musical features over 40 classic songs, including "My Girl", "What's Going On", "Dancing in the Street", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".
The musical showcases legendary artists such as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations, among many others.
You can purchase tickets for the musical on websites such as ATG Tickets, Ticketmaster, and Ents24.
