Motown the Musical to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre
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Hit Broadway production Motown the Musical has finally announced that it will have its London premiere at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End in 2016, beginning previews from 11 February 2016, booking until 22 October 2016, with an official opening on 8 March 2016.
News of the long awaited transfer has been confirmed days after the Shaftesbury's current tenant Memphis the Musical extended booking to October 2015.
Featuring a book by Berry Gordy and music and lyrics by The Legendary Motown Catalog, the show is based on the book "To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown" by Berry Gordy.
An eighteen piece orchestra brings to life 50 Motown tracks including "My Girl", "Dancing In The Street", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", it is described as a "musical sensation with real soul".
The original production ran at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway, New York from 14 April 2013 to 18 January 2015 for a total of 738 performances. It was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Actress in a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical for original cast members Valisia LeKae and Charl Brown.
"With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye and many more. Motown the Musical uncovers the story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation."
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, the production features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by ESosa, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski, projection design by Daniel Brodie, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe and make-up design by J. Jared Janas.
Tickets for the production are now on sale.
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