Motown the Musical Tickets
About Motown the Musical
Inspired by Berry Gordy's autobiography "To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown", Motown the Musical charts the ups and downs of the celebrated record producer's personal and professional relationships with the legendary Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and many more; artists renowned for their stunning contribution to soul music.
Motown the Musical is performed by an eighteen-piece orchestra and comprised of over 50 Motown tracks, including "Dancing in the Street", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "My Girl". The show was nominated for four Tony Awards while on Broadway and, since opening in 2016 in the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre, has continued to successfully bring to life one of the most influential eras in music history.
Motown the Musical provides insight into how Berry Gordy, who started with just $800 in the bank, went from being a featherweight boxer to a heavyweight music mogul. The musical begins in 1983 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium where some of the world's biggest recording stars are gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Motown Records. Gordy refuses to join the reunion, still hurt that his protégés eventually abandoned him for greener pastures - in Diana Ross's case, a $20 million offer from RCA records.
Told through flashbacks, Gordy's fame grows swiftly during the 1960s and his record label draws in names like Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Soon, with America socially charged and racially divided, Gordy realises Motown's true calling: to unite the country through music. Gordy went on to produce 110 top 10 hits from 1961 to 1971 as well as releasing three of Martin Luther King's speeches.
This is Broadway actor Cedric Neal's West End debut as Berry Gordy. Joining him are Lucy St Louis as Diana Ross, Obioma Ugoala as Smokey Robinson and Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye. They are supported by a cast of 30 who bring Gordy's story to life with sass, style and soul. The production is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams.
Motown The Musical is taking bookings until 5th January 2019, when the show will celebrate its third year in London and Motown will celebrate sixty years since the record company was founded.
Book your Motown the Musical tickets, playing at The Shaftesbury Theatre today.
Motown the Musical cast and creative team
By: Based on the book 'To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown' by Berry Gordy, featuring music from Motown Records
Director: Charles Randolph-Wright
Cast list: Jay Perry (Berry Gordy), Natalie Kassanga (Diana Ross), David Albury (Smokey Robinson) and Carl Spencer (Marvin Gaye). The ensemble includes:Chanice Alexandra-Burnett, KM Drew Boateng, Timothy Benjamin, Ryan Carter, Ricardo Castro, Amandla Elynah, Livvy Evans, Segun Fawole, Angela Marie Hurst, Cameron Bernard Jones, Cleopatra Joseph, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Mireia Mambo, Matt Overfield, Adam Philpott, Ainsley Hall Ricketts, Lawrence Rowe, Jaime Tait, Kyle Turner, Anna Van Ruiten, Cherelle Williams, Lashane Williams, Michael Woolston-Thomas, Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli and Mitchell Zhangazha.
Venue
Directions
Location: West End
Railway station: King's Cross St Pancras
Bus numbers: (Tottenham Court Road Station) 8, 29, 55, 134, 176, 242, 390; (Museum St) 1, 19, 25, 38, 98
Night bus numbers: (Tottenham Court Road Station) 134, 176, 242, 390, N8, N29, N35, N41, N55, N68, N98, N121, N253; (Museum St) 25, N1, N19, N38, N207
Car park: Holborn, Selkirk House Museum Street (5mins)
Directions from tube: (5mins) Turn right onto New Oxford Street (past the Dominion) for 200 metres, and then turn right onto Shaftesbury Avenue, where the theatre will be on your left 100 metres down.
More information about Motown the Musical
Motown the Musical tells the story of Motown founder Berry Gordy who is inspired to become a music mogul after he watches an iconic boxing match and turns his attentions to being the best version of himself possible. As he turns his back on boxing, he borrows $800 from his family to set up Hitsville USA - a Detroit town house that would go on to discover original songwriting and performing talent. Acts such as The Supremes, The Jackson 5 and The Temptations would enter unknowns and leave as stars, with personalities such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye furthering the Motown Records profile.
As Gordy's success builds and he breeds competition amongst his acts, he struggles to keep control of his business and his personal life as he falls in love with Diana Ross. Through the power of music, Motown the Musical tells this unknown story that links together some of the most iconic performers music has ever seen, set against a time that saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King and JFK as well as the War in Vietnam and race riots. Discover the true story behind the music and acts you thought you knew, whilst remembering the soundtrack that defined a generation.
Tickets
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
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