‘Motown’ Opens Casting Call in New York, Chicago

Motown the Musical has announced an open casting call in the hopes of finding gifted African American singers to join its cast. Chicago has been listed as one of the cities hosting an open casting call in the nationwide search for talent. Other major cities hosting calls include New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

Producers have shared what they are looking for by giving the following specifications: African American men and women between the ages of 20 and 40 with extraordinary singing voices. Also, a young African American boy between the ages of 8 to 13. The Chicago search is expected to begin September 14 at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre.

Motown is the story of some of Motown’s greatest stars as they fight to gain notoriety. It also tells the story of Motown’s founder Berry Gordy who overcomes obstacles in order to make his dreams a reality. It is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and produced by Gordy, Kevin McCollom, and Doug Morris. Gordy has also created a book for the show while the cast has created an original Broadway album.

The current cast features the talents of several individuals in its key roles including Tony Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon as Gordy himself, Felicia Boswell as Diana Ross, Brian Terrell Clark as Marvin Gaye and Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson.

Featured in the show are songs from some of Motown’s most notable artists. These artists include Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder among others. Music direction is handled by Joseph Joubert, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Crook, as well as dance arrangements by Zane Mark.

Other show contributions include scenic design by David Korins, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski, and projection design by Daniel Brodie.

The national tour of Motown will begin April 22, 2014 and run through July 13, 2014.