As previously reported, Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes will star as Berry Gordy and Diana Ross, respectively. They will be joined by the newly announced Nicholas Christopher as Smokey Robinson and Jarran Muse as Marvin Gaye. Leon Outlaw, Jr. and Reed L. Shannon will portray Berry Gordy's boyhood counterpart and the roles of young stars Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.
The company will also feature Erick Buckley, Patrice Covington, Christian Dante White, Jamarice Daughtry, Tamar Davis, Lynorris Evans, Melanie Evans, Devon Goffman, Jennie Harney, Latrisa Harper, Rod Harrelson, Robert Hartwell, Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr., Trisha Jeffrey, Grasan Kingsberry, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Jarvis Manning, Krisha Marcano, Marq Moss, Rashad Naylor, Chadaè Nichol, Ramone Owens, Nicholas Rowe, Jamison Scott, Douglas Storm, Martina Sykes and Galen Williams.
Oliver has performed in the Broadway productions of The Lion King (Simba), In The Heights (Benny opposite Jordin Sparks) and Wicked (Fiyero). Semmes has been seen on Broadway in Motown the Musical (Florence Ballard) and The Book of Mormon (Nabalungi understudy, swing).
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown, according to press notes, is the "true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy's 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 so many more."
Featuring more than 50 hits, including "My Girl" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," the musical "tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat." Current tour dates follow:
Chicago, IL, at the Oriental Theatre April 22-July 13, 2014
San Francisco, CA, at the Orpheum Theatre Aug. 15-Sept. 28
Detroit, MI, at the Fisher Theatre Oct. 21-Nov. 16
Kansas City, MO, at the Music Hall Dec. 9-14
Minneapolis, MN, at the Orpheum Theatre Dec. 16-28
Durham, NC, at the Durham Performing Arts Center Feb. 17-22, 2015
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 24-March 8
Tampa, FL, at the Straz Center for Performing Arts March 17-22
Denver, CO, at the Buell Theatre March 31-April 19
Los Angeles, CA, at the Pantages Theatre April 28-June 7
San Diego, CA, at the Civic Center June 9-14
Costa Mesa, CA, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts June 16-28
Milwaukee, WI, at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts July 7-12
Memphis, TN, at the Orpheum Theatre July 14-19
Houston, TX, at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts July 21-26
Dallas, TX, at the AT&T Performing Arts Center July 28-August 16
Atlanta, GA, at the Fox Theatre August 18-23
Charlotte, NC, at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Aug. 25-Sept. 6
Motown also features choreography by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Tony Award nominee ESosa, lighting design by Tony Award winner Natasha Katz, sound design by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, projection design by Daniel Brodie, hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe and casting by Telsey + Company.
Motown The Musical's arrangements and orchestrations are by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Ethan Popp, who also serves as music supervisor with co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Tony Award nominee Bryan Crook and dance arrangements by Zane Mark.
For more information, visit www.MotownTheMusical.com.
