Motown: Krystal Joy Brown plays Diana Ross

Krystal Joy Brown plays the role of 'Diana Ross' from 23 Jan 2014 in the Broadway show Motown The Musical at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Brown assumes the role from Felicia Boswell, who stepped in when orignal Tony-Award-nominated cast member Valisia LeKae left the show after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Brown made her Broadway debut as 'Ornella Sturdevant' in 'Leap of Faith, and recently starred as 'Josephine Bloom' in the musical 'Big Fish' which closed on 29 Dec 2013.

Motown The Musical opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 14 Apr 2013, following previews from 11 Mar 2013, and is currently booking through to 30 Mar 2014.

The show opened on Broadway to mixed reviews: The story doesn't hold water, but the music reminds you that Motown is taking up some serious real estate in your memory bank (newyorktheatreguide.com); Dramatically slapdash but musically vibrant (NY Times); Fares best with the music (NY Post); The only thing hot in 'Motown' is the music (Record); Pleasurable nostalgia (Newsroom Jersey).

The show was nominated for four Tony Awards: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Valisia LeKae), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Charl Brown), Best Orchestrations and Best Sound Design.

The musical's principal cast now stars Brandon Victor Dixon (Berry Gordy), Krystal Joy Brown (Diana Ross), Charl Brown (Smokey Robinson), Bryan Terrell Clark (Marvin Gaye) and, Raymond Luke Jr. and Prince George Maynard (who alternate the roles of Young Berry Gordy / Michael Jackson / Stevie Wonder.) They are joined by an ensemble cast of thirty.

Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and choreographed by Patricia Wilcox, Motown: The Musical will feature a book by Berry Gordy and music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue.

Press notes desribe Motown: The Musical as, "the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed America forever. This exhilarating show charts Motown Founder Berry Gordy's incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marvin Gaye and many more."

The show tells the story behind the hits as Smokey finds his unique voice, Diana skyrockets to stardom and Berry fights against the odds to turn his improbable dream into a triumphant reality.

The creative team features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by ESosa, lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by Peter Hylenski.