BWW Preview: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Comes to the Music Hall in Kansas City

Broadway Across America and the Kansas City Broadway Series present Motown The Musical December 9 through 14 at the Kansas City Music Hall. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the story of Motown is a true American dream.

Motown The Musical is the story of Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. rise from featherweight boxer to heavyweight in the music industry. Berry launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye among others. Clifton Oliver stars as Gordy and Allison Semmes as Diana Ross. Nicholas Christopher and Jarran Muse portray Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye. Leon Outlaw, Jr. and Reed L. Shannon play the young Gordy and young stars Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

CBS Sunday Morning describes Motown The Musical as, "More than a Broadway show . . . a celebration of music that transformed America." The New York Times called it, "A joy ride," and "Something close to rapture spreads through the audience." USA Today declares, "This hit machine is running on all cylinders."

"My Girl" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" are only two of the more than 40 classic hits that make up Motown The Musical. Based on the 1994 autobiography of Berry Gordy, "To Be Loved: The Music, the magic, the Memories of Motown" the production is filled with the music and lyrics taken from selections of the Motown catalog. With a book by Gordy, it is the story behind the hits of the super stars and the fight against odds to create a soundtrack of change in America.

Motown The Musical's arrangements and orchestrations are by Grammy and Tony Award® nominee Ethan Popp (Rock of Ages), who also serves as music supervisor in reproducing the classic "Sound of Young America," with co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Tony Award® nominee Bryan Crook ("Smash") and dance arrangements by Zane Mark (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

Patricia Wilcox (A Night with Janis Joplin) and Warren Adams (Toy Story) provide the choreography and Tony Award® nominee Esosa (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess) designed the costumes. Tony Award® winner Natasha Katz (Once, Sister Act) designed the lighting and nomine Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages) the sound design.

Motown The Musical produced by Tony Award® winner Kevin McCollum (Rent, In the Heights, and Avenue Q) runs through December 14 at the Music Hall. Purchase tickets by calling 800-745-3000 or online at the Theater League website. For groups of 15 or more call 1-866-31-GROUP or email groups@theaterleague.org. Photo courtesy of the Kansas City Broadway Series.

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