Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury theatre

Motown The Musical is the acclaimed Broadway show now playing at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre.

It began as one man’s story… became everyone’s music… and is now a smash-hit show!

Motown The Musical tells the fascinating story behind the hits as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack that changed America.

The production features a fifteen-piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine.

No other music has battered down barriers and changed lives more than Motown. 

Motown The Musical is currently booking until 20 April  2019 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

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, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.

Motown The Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.

WHO’S IN IT? MOTOWN CAST

The cast is led by Jay Perry (Berry Gordy) with Natalie Kassanga (Diana Ross), David Albury (Smokey Robinson) and Carl Spencer (Marvin Gaye).

The ensemble features 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, Duane Lamonte, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Mireia Mambo, Matt Overfield, Adam Philpott, Ainsley Hall Ricketts, Lawrence Rowe, Nate Simpson, Jaime Tait, Kyle Turner, Anna Van Ruiten, Cherelle Williams, Lashane Williams, Michael Woolston-Thomas, Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli and Mitchell Zhangazha.

REVIEWS

★★★★ A triumphant, lavish show. You may well see people dancing in the street – Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
★★★★ Sleekly-designed..absolutely faultless – the ultimate jukebox musical – Mark Shenton, The Stage
The West End has never sounded so good – Heart FM
Motown arrives in the West End with the greatest soul pop music ever recorded – Dominic Maxwell, The Times
The irresistible songs deliver the best night out in London – Paul Phear, Smooth Radio

Show Information

Important Notes

Venue Information

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Motown UK Tour / casting announced

Casting been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Motown The Musical Edward Baruwa will play the leading role of ‘Berry Gordy’, Karis Anderson will play ‘Diana Ross’, Nathan Lewis will play ‘Smokey Robinson’ and Shak Gabbidon-Williams will play ‘Marvin Gaye’. Edward Baruwa’s previous West End credits include Motown the Musical, Les Misérables, Five Guys Named Moe and the UK Tour of Sister Act. Karis Anderson is best known as being one-third of pop band ‘Stooshe’ who celebrated a top five single ‘Black Heart’ in 2012 for which they received a nomination for Best British Single at the 2013 Brit Awards. Nathan Lewis makes his stage stage debut in Motown The Musical. He was a finalist on ITV’s The X Factor in 2016 as part of boyband ‘Five After Midnight’. Shak Gabbidon-William’s previous credits include ‘Young Simba’ in The Lion King in the West End and most recently starred as ‘Seaweed’ in the UK tour of “Hairspray”. The large ensemble includes Dayo Adeoye, Scott Armstrong, Simeon Beckett, Natalia Brown, Ethan Davis, Andrew Dillon, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Olivia Hibbert, Karis Jack, Michael Jeremiah, Amana Jones, Abz Kareem, Kane Matthews, DeeArna McClean, Matt Mills, Cordell Mosteller, Nicole Nyarambi, Spencer O’Brien, Perry O’Dea, Alex Okoampa, Reece Richards and Emma Robotham-Hunt The Tony nominated musical charts the rise of the legendary record label features a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine and tells the story behind the classic hits. Motown will open at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre on 11 October 2018 and will then tour across the UK until autumn 2019, visiting Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, Dublin, Manchester, Cardiff, Canterbury and Southampton. The West End production is currently booking until 20 April  2019 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London.

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Motown The Musical to shutter in West End

Motown The Musical has announced it will close in the West End in April 2019. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and with a book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, the show tells the story of how Berry Gordy founded the iconic record label and launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye. Motown The Musical opened on 8 March 2016, previewing from 11 February 2016, and will have played over 1330 performances when it concludes its 3 year run at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 20 April 2019. The juke-box musical features over 50 Motown classics including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop!  In The Name of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine. The West End cast is led by Jay Perry (Berry Gordy) with Natalie Kassanga (Diana Ross), David Albury (Smokey Robinson) and Carl Spencer (Marvin Gaye).  In October this year a previously announced UK tour will begin and in January 2019 Motown the record label will mark its sixtieth anniversary. Following Motown's final performance the 1400 seat theatre will undergo a major refurbishment having last been refurbished in 2006.   It has not been announced how long the refurbishment will take or which production will re-open the theatre. Buy tickets to Motown The Musical Motown The Musical is booking until 20 April 2019 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London.

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Motown The Musical announces UK Tour

Hit West End show Motown The Musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour later this year. The Tony nominated musical will open at Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre on 11 October 2018 where it play until 3 November 2018 before visiting Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, Dublin, Manchester and Cardiff. The show tells the story behind the legendary record label which discovered and launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more. Written by by Motown founder Berry Gordy and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown The Musical features over 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine. The London production of Motown the Musical continues to play to standing ovations at the Shaftesbury Theatre where it is about to enter its third year and is currently booking until 5 January 2019. Casting and further tour dates are to be announced. Book tickets to Motown The Musical in London Motown The Musical Tour Dates: Leeds Grand Theatre (6 – 17 November 2018), Edinburgh Playhouse (20 November – 8 December 2018), Bristol Hippodrome (10 January – 2 February 2019), Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin (5 - 23 February 2019), Manchester Opera House (26 February – 23 March 2019) and Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff (26-March - 6 April 2019).

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Motown to hold open auditions

Motown The Musical will hold open children's auditions in London next month. Following the recent extension to the London production of Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, the musical has announced it will hold open auditions for the role of Young Michael Jackson, Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder. The producers are looking for African American boys in age range of 8 - 13 who can play 8 years of age. They should be able to move well and have good singing and acting skills. Registration will take place at 9.15am on 19 August 2017 at the Brixton Community Base, Talma Road, London SW2 1AS. The role of Young Michael Jackson, Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder is currently shared by Nana Ageyman-Bediako, 11 years old from Haringey, London, Raphael Higgins-Humes, 11 years old from Greenwich, London, Rio Myers, 11 years old from Lewisham, London and Tumo Reetsang, 12 years old from Southwark, London. Buy tickets for Motown The Musical Motown The Musical is booking until 5 January 2019 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

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Motown The Musical extends until 2019

Motown The Musical has announced a further extension to its London run and will now play at the Shaftesbury Theatre into 2019. The West End hit musical has released half-a-million new tickets for sale, taking the booking period to 5 January 2019. The latest extension to Motown will see the show celebrate its third year in London, and mark sixty years since the iconic record company was founded in Detroit, Michigan. Cedric Neal and Lucy St. Louis continue in the lead roles of Berry Gordy and Diana Ross, with David Albury and Kayi Ushe joining the cast as Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye from 4 September 2017. Buy tickets for Motown The Musical Motown The Musical is booking until 5 January 2019 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

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Motown celebrates 1st West End birthday

Motown The Musical celebrates 1st West End birthday at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The hit West End production of Motown the Musical celebrates its first birthday in London with the release of over 200,000 new tickets for sale; the show is now booking up to 24 February 2018 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The lead cast comprising Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Obioma Ugoala as Smokey Robinson and Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye will continue in their roles. From 7 March 2017 the ensemble cast features Cameron Bernard Jones, Ryan Carter, KM Drew Boateng, Samuel Edwards, Dujonna Gift-Simms, Vanessa Fisher, Terique Jarrett, Cleopatra Joseph, Wilson Kiiru, Natasha Leaver, Brandon Lee Sears, Kieran McGinn, Simone Mistry-Palmer, Samuel Nicholas, Brianna Ogunbawo, Matt Overfield, Jay Perry, Timothy Quinlan, Simon Ray Harvey, Sharon Rose, Lawrence Rowe, Ashley Samuels, Carl Spencer, Richard Taylor Woods, Alex Thomas-Smith, Cherelle Williams, Michael Woolston-Thomas and Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli. Nana Ageyman-Bediako,  Raphael Higgins-Humes, Rio Myers and Tumo Reetsang alternate the role of Young Michael Jackson. With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production tells the story behind the classic hits. BOOKING Book tickets to Motown The Musical

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Smokey Robinson & Mary Wilson among guests at Motown first night

Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Mary Wilson attend the opening night of Motown the Musical. Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson and Mary Wilson were among many celebrities at the opening night of the West End production of Motown The Musical. Also in attendance were Tracie Bennett, Matt Cardle, Jade Ewen, David Furnish, Natalie Gumede, Leee John, Richard Kind, Beverley Knight, Leigh Lawson, Naughty Boy, Mica Paris, Rhydian Roberts, Jamie Theakston, Twiggy and Paula Wilcox. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the show is based on Gordy's career and the founding of his iconic label Motown records which was responsible for the early careers of Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, the Commodores, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. The performances of Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy and Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson have been widely praised. Motown the Musical is booking until 18 February 2017 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. BOOKING Book tickets to Motown the Musical

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Reviews round-up: Motown the Musical

A reviews round-up for Motown the Muscial at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Broadway's Motown The Musical has opened to mixed reviews in the West End. With an incomparable back catalogue of songs, what should be the ultimate juke box musical has failed to hit all the right notes. Critics have praised the cast performances including Charl Brown, Lucy St Louis, Sifisio Mazibuko, and Eshan Gopal as the young Michael Jackson, however most note it is Berry Gordy’s lack of fully formed storytelling that stops this musical from being all that it should.     BOOKING Book tickets to Motown The Musical

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First Look: Motown the Musical

Broadway's latest export Motown The Musical releases production images ahead of the shows opening next week at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Motown The Musical is the true story of the founding of Motown Records - the iconic record label responsible for launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye and so many more. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the show features over 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine. The West End cast include Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson and Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye. They are joined by Keisha Amponsa Banson as Mary Wells, Cindy Belliot as Anna Gordy, Samuel Edwards as Jackie Wilson, Tanya Nicole Edwards as Florence Ballard, Portia Harry as Teena Marie, Aisha Jawando as Martha Reeves, Joshua Liburd as Eddie Kendricks, Simeon Montague as Jermaine Jackson, Cleopatra Rey as Gladys Knight, Brandon Lee Sears as Tito Jackson, Jordan Shaw as Stevie Wonder and Cherelle Williams as Mary Wilson. Eshan Gopal, Kwame Kandekore and Joshua Tikare alternate the role of Young Michael Jackson. Motown the Musical opens on 8 March 2016 and is booking until 18 February 2017 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. BOOKING Book tickets to Motown the Musical

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Motown the Musical release 200,000 new tickets

Motown the Musical extends to February 2017 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Motown the Musical has announced due to popular demand, the release of a further 200,000 tickets which will take the booking period to 18 February 2017. The production which has just begun previews officially opens on 8 March 2016 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The Broadway hit show which charts the legendary story of the iconic music label features 50 of the greatest Motown hits including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine. The West End cast is led by Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson and Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye. BOOKING Book tickets to Motown the Musical

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Motown The Musical announces full casting

Full casting has been announced for the hit Broadway show Motown the Musical which is led by Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson and Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye. They are joined by Keisha Amponsa Banson as Mary Wells, Cindy Belliot as Anna Gordy, Samuel Edwards as Jackie Wilson, Tanya Nicole Edwards as Florence Ballard, Portia Harry as Teena Marie, Aisha Jawando as Martha Reeves, Joshua Liburd as Eddie Kendricks, Simeon Montague as Jermaine Jackson, Cleopatra Rey as Gladys Knight, Brandon Lee Sears as Tito Jackson, Jordan Shaw as Stevie Wonder and Cherelle Williams as Mary Wilson. Eshan Gopal, 12 years old from London, 13 year old Kwame Kandekore from Leicester and 11 year old Joshua Tikare from Bromley will alternate the role of Young Michael Jackson. They are joined by swings and ensemble members Jay Bryce, Daniel Bailey, Edward Baruwa, Eddie Elliott, Christopher Fry, Alex Hammond, Edward Handoll, Simon Ray Harvey, Elias Hendricks, Brian James Leys, Jayde Nelson, Kieran McGinn, Simone Mistry Palmer, Carl Spencer and Marcel J Whyte. Motown the Musical charts the amazing journey of Berry Gordy and the rise of Motown Records - the legendary record label that launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and in the process created the soundtrack of a generation Featuring a sixteen piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production tells the story behind the classic hits. Motown the Musical plays from 11 February 2016 and is booking until 22 October 2016. BOOKING Book tickets to Motown the Musical

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Casting update for Motown the Musical

Producers of Motown The Musical have announced further casting for the London bound production. Joining the previously announced Cedric Neal (Berry Gordy) and Lucy St. Louis (Diana Ross) are Charl Brown and Sifiso Mazibuko who will play Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye respectively. Charl Brown previously portrayed Smokey Robinson in the Broadway production earning a 2013 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. His previous theatre credits include the 2011 original cast of Broadway smash hit Sister Act, Jersey Boys on Broadway and Las Vegas, European tour of Hair, and the Off-Broadway production of Walmartopia, US tours of Dream Girls, The Wizz, A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chorus Line. Brown is currently travelling across the United States with his group The Doowop Project. Sifiso Mazibuko’s UK theatre credits include The Tempest for Flute Theatre, A Land Without People and The First Actress for Palindrome Productions, Hector at The Courtyard Theatre and Dancers performed in both London and New York. His American theatre credits include the theatre is a blank page produced by Anne Bogart, Ann Hamilton & the SITI company. Mazibuko also performed in Shaka Zulu the Musical at the State Theatre in South Africa, was part of the Asian Tour of African Footprint and was in Dreamgirls the Musical in South Africa. His film credits include Pretville. Also joining the cast are Keisha Amponsa Banson (Mary Wells), Cindy Belliot (Anna Gordy), Samuel Edwards (Jackie Wilson), Portia Harry (Teena Marie), Aisha Jawando (Martha Reeves), Joshua Liburd (Eddie Kendricks), Simeon Montague (Jermaine Jackson), Cleopatra Rey (Gladys Knight), Brandon Lee Sears (Tito Jackson), Jordan Shaw (Stevie Wonder), Cherelle Williams (Mary Wilson). The role of Young Michael Jackson will be played by 12 year old Eshan Gopal from Kingsbury, London, 13 year old Kwame Kandekore from Leicester and 11 year old Joshua Tikare from Bromley. Motown The Musical will begin previews from 11 February 2016, with press night on 8 March 2016 and is currently booking to 22 October 2016 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. BOOKING Book tickets to Motown the Musical

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Motown The Musical holds open auditions

The West End production of Motown the Musical will hold open auditions for the roles of iconic artists Marvin Gaye and the Young Michael Jackson. If it is anything like the last open auditions back in July, where over 200 young hopefuls turned up, it is going to be a busy day for Berry Gordy and Charles Randolph-Wright. Auditions will be held on Saturday 7 November at the Royal Shakespeare Company Rehearsal Rooms (35 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7TW). Auditions for the role of Marvin Gaye will commence at 10:30am, with registration from 10am. Auditions for the role of Young Michael Jackson will commence at 2pm, with registration from 1:30pm.  For further information please visit http://motownthemusical.co.uk/open-auditions-november With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production of Motown the Musical tells the story behind the classic hits. Motown the Musical features a sixteen piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine. London previews begin on 11 February 2016, with press night on 8 March 2016 and is booking until 22 October 2016 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. BOOK Book tickets to Motown the Musical

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Lucy St. Louis and Cedric Neal to star in Motown The Musical

It was announced today at a special launch event that Lucy St. Louis and Cedric Neal will lead the cast of the West End production of Motown The Musical as Diana Ross and Berry Gordy. Lucy St. Louis is currently in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and will appear in the upcoming Disney live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Her previous theatre credits including The Book of Mormon and Ragtime. Cedric Neal's theatre credits include Dreamgirls, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Friday Night Lights. Neil and St Louis will be joined on stage by Keisha Amponsa Banson (Mary Wells), Cherelle Williams (Mary Wilson), Cleopatra Rey (Gladys Knight), Cindy Belliot (Anna Gordy), Aisha Jawondo (Martha Reeves), Samuel Edwards (Jackie Wilson), Brandon Lee Sears (Tito Jackson), Joshua Liburd (Eddie Kendricks) and Simeon Montague (Jermaine Jackson). The launch event saw the hilarious Lenny Henry interview Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown The Musical director Charles Randolph-Wright and hit Broadway producer Kevin McCollum. Berry said some people were concerned about whether the UK had the talent to put on this show but there was numerous talented performers. With only a few hours of rehearsal and before the real rehearsals begin in November the audience were given a taste of what to expect from the hit Broadway show and it looks like it’s going to be a West End hit. The show, which follows the career of producer and songwriter Berry Gordy and the creation of Motown Records features over 40 classic Motown hits including "My Girl," "What's Going On," "Dancing in the Street," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough”. Motown the Musical begins previews from 11 February 2016 and is booking until 22 October 2016 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Booking Book tickets to Motown The Musical

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Motown The Musical draws 200 to open casting in London

Motown The Musical draws 200 hopefuls to open casting in London Motown The Musical held open casting in London today, drawing 200 wannabees hoping to portray the iconic artists of the Broadway hit show. There was no indication if the producers had struck gold, however there is sure to be some great casting. We didn’t spy Beverley Knight in the crowd but she’d definitely make a great Diana Ross. Featuring a sixteen piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl, I Heard It Through The Grapevine and For Once In My Life, Motown the Musical tells the story behind the classic hits. Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, with music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy. Opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End next February, the show previews from 11 February 2016 and is currently booking until 22 October 2016. BOOK Book tickets to Motown the Musical  

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Motown The Musical to open at the Shaftesbury theatre

Motown The Musical is to open in the West End's Shaftesbury theatre in February 2016. Smash-hit Broadway musical Motown The Musical will finally open in London's West End - opening at the Shaftesbury theatre in February 2016.  Featuring Motown classics such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,”  and a book by Motown's legendary record producer Berry Gordy, Motown The Musical tells the fascinating story behind the hits as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack that changed America.  Casting is yet to be announced. The recent Broadway production was produced by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy and  directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Of  course, this does mean current occupier of the Shaftesbury theatre, Memphis the Musical soon to be starring Matt Cardle, will be moving on! BOOKING Book tickets to Motown The Musical  

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