The “Motown Sound” that emanated from the Motor City during the turbulent 1960′s was something both whites and blacks could share and enjoy without letting stereotypes and bigotry cloud their minds. The music of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and the Supremes poured from radio speakers and spun on record players because of one man, Berry Gordy.
Thanks to an $800 loan from his family, Gordy founded Motown in 1959 and would produce what would be known as “The Sound of Young America,” music that would change the landscape of American culture. Gordy has long been driven to tell the the Motown story and wrote “Motown the Musical,” which will now make its way to Broadway, reports the Detroit News.
The play will be directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (“Ruined,” “Sophisticated Ladies,” “Through the Night”) and produced by Kevin McCollum (“Rent,” “Avenue Q,” “In the Heights”). Gordy’s life will be highlighted in the play, to be expected since he was at the forefront of Motown. And unlike previous films depicting Motown, Gordy will have no difficulty gaining permission to use many of the hits released by his label.
Casting for Gordy’s musical has not been announced as of yet, as is the Nederlander theater where the play will premiere.
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