Kansas City audiences will move to the beat of more than 40 classic hits when the national Broadway tour of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL plays Starlight Theatre on Aug. 22-27. The Tony Award-nominated musical tells the real-life story of Berry Gordy Jr. and how he launched the careers of many of America’s most iconic performers, including Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and many more.
Based upon his book “To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown,” MOTOWN THE MUSICAL begins when the humble Gordy uses an $800 loan from the family’s savings fund to establish Motown Records. The “Hitsville U.S.A.” sign he hung outside of the Detroit home of his Motown headquarters may have been premature, but it proved prophetic. From 1961 to 1971, Gordy’s “risky” music venture landed 163 singles in Billboard’s Top 20, including 28 that reached No. 1. Motown quickly became one of the most successful U.S. businesses owned and operated by an African American, as Gordy and Motown’s irresistible sound bridged the racial divide.
The critically acclaimed and four-time Tony® Award-nominated MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is directed by Thea Sharrock (Me Before You, The Bodyguard), written by Academy® Award-winning Alexander Dinelaris and choreographed by Olivier® Award winner Karen Bruce (Footloose). Among the many hits featured are “ABC,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Bye Bye Baby,” “Do You Love Me,” “My Girl” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.”
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL opens at Starlight on Tuesday, August 22, and runs for six performances through Sunday, August 27. All shows start at 8 p.m.
Tickets for MOTOWN THE MUSICAL start at $14 and are available at www.kcstarlight.com or by calling 816-363-7827.
Want to get your groove on? View a preview of the show below.
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