MOTOWN THE MUSICAL hosted a nationwide open call casting search inside the historic Lunt Fontanne Theatre for African American singers for both the flagship Broadway production and the upcoming national tour. NY1 anchor Cheryl Wills was on hand to capture the excitement as hopefuls lined up around the block to audition for the smash hit musical. In the segment below, Wills speaks with MOTOWN's own Broadway star Tony Award nominee Charl Brown, casting director Bernie Telsey, several auditionees, and even does a little singing of her own! Check out the segment below!
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, featuring music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and a book by Berry Gordy began performances March 11 at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street), and officially opened April 14.
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever. This exhilarating show charts Motown Founder Berry Gordy's incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.
Featuring all the classics you love, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Now, experience the next electrifying chapter in the Motown story, Broadway's record-breaking smash hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL!
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL's creative team features choreography by Patricia Wilcox (Blues in the Night) and Warren Adams (Toy Story), scenic design byDavid Korins (Bring It On: The Musical, Annie), costume design by Tony Award nominee ESosa (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, "Project Runway"), lighting design by Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Once, Sister Act), sound design by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages, The Scottsboro Boys), projection design by Daniel Brodie (Jekyll and Hyde).
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL features arrangements and orchestrations by Tony Award nominee Ethan Popp (Rock of Ages), who also serves as musical supervisor for the 18 piece orchestra that reproduces the classic "Sound of Young America" for the Broadway stage, with co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Tony Award nominee Bryan Crook ("Smash"), dance arrangements by Zane Mark (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and music direction by Joseph Joubert (Nice Work If You Can Get It).
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is produced by Tony Award winning producer Kevin McCollum (Rent, In the Heights, Avenue Q), Chairman and CEO of SONY Music Entertainment Doug Morris and Motown founder Berry Gordy.
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL plays Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm; Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm; Sunday at 3pm; Dark Monday.
Tickets prices range from $57.00 - $147.00 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 877-250-2929 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
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