Motown the Musical reveals cast for return engagement

Complete casting has now been announced for the Broadway return engagement of Motown the Musical, which will play a limited 18-week run at the Nederlander Theatre from 12 July through to 13 November 2016.

The cast of Motown the Musical includes Chester Gregory (Berry Gordy), Allison Semmes (Diana Ross), Jesse Nager (Smokey Robinson), Jarran Muse (Marvin Gaye), with J.J. Batteast and Leon Outlaw, Jr. alternating the roles of Young Berry Gordy/Stevie Wonder/Michael Jackson.

Ensemble members include Nik Alexander, Erick Buckley, Chante Carmel, Chadaé, Lynorris Evans, Anissa Felix, Talya Groves, Rod Harrelson, Robert Hartwell, Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr., Trisha Jeffrey, Jamie LaVerdiere, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Loren Lott, Jarvis B. Manning, Jr., Krisha Marcano, Marq Moss, Rashad Naylor, Ramone Owens, Olivia Puckett, Nicholas Ryan, Jamison Scott, Joey Stone, Doug Storm, Martina Sykes, Nik Walker and Galen J. Williams.

Synopsis: "Motown the Musical is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture 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, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more."

The production is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, and features choreography by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by ESosa, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski and musical direction by Joseph Joubert.

Motown the Musical is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy.

The hit production concluded its original Broadway engagement on 18 January 2015 following 775 performances at The Lunt Fontanne Theatre. The show has since enjoyed a US national tour and is also currently playing to packed houses in London's West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

- by Tom Millward