Casting has been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Motown the Musical.
Edward Baruwa (Motown, Les Miserables) will play the leading role of Berry Gordy, while Karis Anderson (member of pop band Stooshe) will play Diana Ross, Nathan Lewis (X-Factor finalist) is Smokey Robinson and Shak Gabbidon-Williams (The Lion King) will be Marvin Gaye.
The ensemble of the show includes Dayo Adeoye, Scott Armstrong, Simeon Beckett, Natalia Brown, Ethan Davis, Andrew Dillon, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Olivia Hibbert, Karis Jack, Michael Jeremiah, Amana Jones, Abz Kareem, Kane Matthews, DeeArna McClean, Matt Mills, Cordell Mosteller, Nicole Nyarambi, Spencer O'Brien, Perry O'Dea, Alex Okoampa, Reece Richards and Emma Robotham-Hunt.
Motown the Musical has music and lyrics from the Motown back catalogue which was founded by Berry Gordy in 1959. Charles Randolph-Wright's production has a live orchestra playing 50 tracks including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "I'll Be There", "Dancing In the Street" and "Stop! In the Name of Love".
Motown the Musical received its world premiere in April 2013 in New York with Berry Gordy and legendary Motown artists Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder attending opening night. The show began its West End run in February 2016 with Gordy, Robinson and Wilson once again supporting the production.
The piece tells the story of Gordy and record company which launched the careers of the likes of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.
In advance of major refurbishments taking place at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Motown The Musical will conclude its West End run on 20 April 2019 having celebrated over 1330 performances since its London premiere over three years earlier in February 2016. With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue, book by Motown founder Berry Gordy and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown the Musical tells the story behind the legendary classic hits.
The tour kicks off in October at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre and then tours to venues including Leeds Grand Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse, Bristol Hippodrome and Manchester Opera House.
