Berry Gordy, Diana Ross on Broadway with ‘Motown: The Musical’

By Stan | Published on August 28, 2012

Berry Gordy, Diana Ross and the actors who will portray them.

The story of “Hitsville, USA” is legendary and has been the inspiration for musicals and movies “loosely” based on Berry Gordy’s Motown music factory, but now Motown itself and the life story of Mr. Gordy will be the subject of its own Broadway musical. Brandon Victor Dixon will play Berry Gordy Jr. and Valisia LeKae will play Diana Ross when “Motown: The Musical” opens on Broadway in April, the producers announced on Monday. The show, which uses material from the Motown catalog as it traces Mr. Gordy’s life in the music business, will begin previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater on March 11 for an April 14 opening.

According to a statement from the producers, “Motown” tells “the story behind the hits,” narrating how Mr. Gordy shaped the careers of Ms. Ross, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and other singers. It begins in 1959, when Mr. Gordy, a struggling prizefighter, borrowed $800 to start an R&B label, then chronicles his mercurial rise in the Detroit music scene. Mr. Gordy, who is a producer on the project, also wrote the book for the musical, which will be directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.

Building shows around pop hits has proven to be a commercially successful formula on Broadway, as musicals like “Mamma Mia!” and “Jersey Boys” have enjoyed long runs. “Motown” is the only such show announced so far for the 2012-13 season.

Mr. Dixon is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Harpo in “The Color Purple” on Broadway, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award in 2006. Ms. LeKae has had a lower profile, but has appeared in several Broadway musicals, among them “The Book of Mormon” and the 2009 revival of “Ragtime.”

Source James C. McKinley Jr, NY Times

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