Brandon Victor Dixon and Valisia LeKae to Lead Motown Musical at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon and Valisia LeKae will star as Berry Gordy Jr. and Diana Ross, respectively, in Motown the Musical. Based on the life of legendary Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., Motown is scheduled to begin performances at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 11, 2013. An official opening night is planned for April 14. Featuring a book by Gordy and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown will feature music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue. Additional creative team and casting will be announced shortly.

Motown charts Gordy’s 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. As previously announced, a nationwide talent search is currently underway for a single young actor with the versatility to play three demanding roles—a young Michael Jackson, little Stevie Wonder and pre-teen Gordy.

Dixon earned a Tony nomination for The Color Purple. His off-Broadway credits include Rent and The Scottsboro Boys. His film and TV credits include The Good Wife, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and One Life to Live.

LeKae’s Broadway credits include The Book of Mormon, Ragtime, 110 in the Shade and The Threepenny Opera. She has appeared off-Broadway in Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver.

The creative team for Motown includes scenic designer David Korins, costume designer ESosa, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Peter Hylenski, choreography by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams and orchestra supervision by Ethan Popp.

Watch Gordy discuss Motown's move to Broadway (and groove to some of the record company's biggest hits!) by clicking below.