The classic sounds of Motown live on in anniversary musical
To mark the 60th anniversary year of the founding of Motown records, the Sunderland Empire will be joining in the celebrations. The legendary Motown catalogue is bought to life in ‘Motown The Musical’, a story by Berry Gordy which uncovers how the Detroit company changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.
With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by founder Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production features a live orchestra playing 50 classic 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 while telling the story behind the hits.
Creative consultant Michael Lovesmith said: “The UK has kept Motown alive and is one of the reasons why Motown is still so successful and loved today.
“The vibe here is fantastic, audiences are screaming and cheering and it’s incredible, it’s like being back in one of the shows from the 70s. We are so lucky to be able to continue sharing this incredible music today.”
Gordy founded the Motown label in 1959 and the production tells the story of how with $800 borrowed from his family he went from a 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.
The cast includes Edward Baruwa in the role of ‘Berry Gordy’, Karis Anderson as ‘Diana Ross’, Nathan Lewis as ‘Smokey Robinson’ and Shak Gabbidon-Williams as ‘Marvin Gaye’.
Randolph-Wright said of the anniversary: “When Motown started in 1959, many cities had solo singers, a girl group, a guy group, and a kids group, but as Smokey Robinson often says, ‘The difference is that Detroit had Berry Gordy’.
“The show is infectious, and the UK truly knows and loves this music. It’s in the UK DNA.
Motown continues to be more than a record label and a show, it’s a movement, and I am thrilled that this movement is travelling all over.”
Motown The Musical is at the Empire from October 15 to 26 and tickets are online at www.atgtickets.com/sunderland