Motown The Musical (2016) on Broadway: Show Is Now Closed

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Motown The Musical (2016) Summary

  • Show Status: Closed
  • Genre: Musical - Revival
  • Motown The Musical (2016) is 2.5 Hours long, including an intermission of 15 Minutes
  • Previews Began: June 12, 2016
  • Show Opened : July 12, 2016
  • Show Closed: July 31, 2016

Motown the Musical is a recent-revival of the 2013 jukebox musical featuring some of the best songs from the Motown music catalog. The show is thin in dialog but contains an impressive number of songs ( 66 songs, in whole or in part.) As for the story, it focuses on the fascinating life story of the businessman behind the record label, Berry Gordy. Interestingly, Gordy also wrote the book to the musical, and the music and lyrics are credited as a whole to The Legendary Motown Catalog.

Motown The Musical (2016) on Broadway Background

The music is arranged by Ethan Popp, and orchestrated by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook. The many artists whose songs are contained in this show include Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Rick James, Stevie Wonder, James Cavanaugh, Valerie Simpson, Mary Wells, and Berry Gordy himself.

Many of the titles are so recognizable they get stuck in your head immediately, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Brick House,” “Dancing in the Street,” “For Once in My Life,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “Mercy Mercy Me,” “My Guy,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “Super Freak,” “What’s Going On,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” and “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me.”

What’s Motown The Musical (2016) Like?

When Motown the Musical first came to Broadway in 2013, it received four Tony Award nominations including Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Orchestrations, and Best Sound Design of a Musical. The show now returns for a continued limited engagement at the Nederlander Theatre for the summer and fall 2016. It is unusual for producers to decide to close a show when it is a bona fide hit, as Motown was when it shuttered in January 2015. However, the decision was made to reopen after the winter season over a year later in a smaller house. True to their world, Motown is back in action, and it’s sure to be as foot thumping and fun loving as it was when it first made a splash on the Broadway scene.

Is Motown The Musical (2016) Good for Kids?

Motown is great entertainment for the entire family. The show does contain sexual content, references to violence, and a small number of curse words, so parents should use discretion. However, children will love the music and the dancing, as well as the moving story.

Theatre Information

Nederlander Theatre

208 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10019
Seats: 1,232
Entrance: 41st Street between 7th and 8th avenues
Theatre Information

Nederlander Theatre Seating Chart

Motown The Musical (2016) Marquee

Motown The Musical (2016) Marquee

Cast Members

Berry Gordy
Chester Gregory
Diana Ross
Allison Semmes
Smokey Robinson
Jesse Nager
Marvin Gaye
Jarran Muse

Producers

Kevin McCollum

Doug Morris

Berry Gordy

Production Credits

Projections
Daniel Brodie
Sound
Peter Hylenski
Set Design
David Korins
Costume Design
ESosa
Lighting Design
Natasha Katz
Music Supervision + Arrangements + Orchestrations
Ethan Popp
Co-Orchestrations + Other Arrangements
Bryan Crook
Dance Arrangements
Zane Mark
Music Direction
Joseph Joubert
Book
Berry Gordy
Music
Motown Catalog
Choreography
Patricia Wilcox + Warren Adams
Director
Charles Randolph-Wright

Creative Team

General Manager
Bespoke Theatricals LLC
Casting Director
Bethany Knox at Telsey + Company
Press Agent
Boneau Bryan-Brown