Interview: Jarran Muse as Marvin Gaye in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL on Tour

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL opened in NYC to enthusiastic audiences in 2013. The strength of the show brought in great audiences. As the popularity continued, a national tour began. Currently playing to role of Marvin Gaye, Jarran Muse shared with BWW some of the highlights of his career and how he came to be part of this award winning show.

When did you first get interested in performing? Where did you get your formal training?

I have to say about seven or eight. I feel like it was one of the elementary school holiday concerts. I was just a part of every single band, choir, school play; anything I could be a part of. I didn't think about it in terms of "Well, I'm doing this because I want to perform later on." I just knew that I liked drama club and different plays. I didn't grow up seeing any plays. We lived in New Jersey but I didn't see a Broadway show until I was a teenager. That was not something that we did as a family.

I went to the University of the Arts (in Philadelphia) and I left. I'm actually currently in school as I'm on tour. I'm still getting my BSA.

What are some of your favorite roles that you have played?

Nothing tops being Marvin Gaye. I will definitely say that. I had a lot of fun with "American Idiot." That was such a fun show. And there was something classic about being in Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." That's such a classic piece and an all-around fun show. But, I would say being Billy Lawler in 42nd Street; as a young African American, that comes pretty close to being Marvin Gaye.

Tell us more about how you got the part of Marvin Gaye for MOTOWN THE MUSICAL.

I started (with) the Broadway company as a swing. I was the understudy for Marvin Gaye and understudied for Smokey Robinson. I covered all of the ensemble. After we were on Broadway for about a year, I was given a role for the tour that was going to be going out. I like to say that my hard work paid off. The creative team saw me on Broadway covering those roles; saw me covering the other roles that I did. Mr. Gordy really liked what I did as Marvin so he wanted me to have that role. He said he saw Marvin in my eyes and it went from there.

What did you do to prepare for the role?

I read all the literature I could read on Marvin and I watched every single YouTube clip I could find of his different concerts, anything that was available, his interviews so I could really piece together how he was and what he sounded like. And also the biggest piece of information was Mr. Gordy himself. And that was his brother-in-law. So they had a lot of experiences that Mr. Gordy himself was there (for); a wealth of knowledge. Most of Marvin's scenes are with Mr. Gordy and they are from real live events. So, why not have the man who was in the real life scenes with Marvin tell you what happened.

What parts of Marvin Gaye are similar to you?

Marvin was shy, contrary to what everyone thinks about the whole sexual being. Oh, yeah, that was definitely a part of him but Marvin was very religious growing up. His father was a minister and his family was very religious. Marvin didn't want to be in the spotlight like (that). He started out as a drummer. That's another funny thing. I wanted to play the drums so badly when I started band. I think we started band in 4th grade. I begged and pleaded to play the drums and they had enough drummers. So, they made me play the trombone. When it comes to that there's some similarities there. When it comes to the musicians that we are and Marvin was very mysterious. I take my music very seriously. I've been told that I can be quite mysterious as well.

You are going to be returning to Broadway very soon. Tell us about that opportunity.

It's very, very exciting. A lot of us in the Broadway community don't get to do a show that leaves and then gets to return to Broadway. So, we are very excited. I was one of the people who thought MOTOWN should have never closed in the first place. I'm very happy that we're able to go back. They've announced our cast and they've announced our theater. It's a very small theater so that should be good so that we can stay there for a little while. It is a limited engagement. We are all looking forward to it. There are a lot of people making their Broadway debuts. What better time to be back (then) in the summer. I just hope New York City welcomes us back with open arms.

Get your tickets for MOTOWN THE MUSICAL playing at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas from April 26 - May 1, 2016. Check out their website for available tickets and show times.

PHOTO CREDIT: Joan Marcus

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