"Motown: The Musical" Scheduled to Open on Broadway in the Spring

MotownTheMusical.comAn opening date has been announced for Motown: The Musical, the autobiographical Broadway show written by Berry Gordy that traces the music mogul's life and celebrates the artists who recorded for the renowned label he founded. The play will premiere on April 13, 2013, at New York City's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, while previews will start on March 11.

Tickets will be available to Citibank customers on September 23, and will go on sale to the general public starting October 1.

Tony Award-winning actor Brandon Victor Dixon has been cast as Gordy, while Valisia LeKae will portray Diana Ross. Additional casting will be announced soon. Producers for the show are still searching for an actor to take on multiple roles in the production, including a young Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, and a pre-teen Gordy. Those interested in trying out can find out how at MotownTheMusical.com.

In a new video message, Gordy discusses the play, and talks about the philosophy behind Motown.

"The collaboration and the community [on Broadway] is the same community in Motown," he notes. "In fact, I feel that Motown is Broadway and Broadway is Motown."

Speaking about the wide appeal of Motown music, Gordy declares, "Black people, white people, Jews, Gentiles, cops and the robbers all loved Motown. I know that there are more similarities in the world in people than differences. And my goal in Motown [was to] bring those similarities out in music and love, togetherness and trust."

Motown: The Musical will feature a wide variety of hits from some of the labels biggest stars, including Jackson, Wonder, Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and others.