Motown Musical, Conceived by Legendary Record Producer Berry Gordy Jr., Eyes Broadway

Record producer and Motown record label founder Berry Gordy Jr. hopes to bring Motown, an autobiographical musical featuring classic hits from the Motown catalogue, to Broadway, according to the New York Post. Charles Randolph-Wright is set to direct. Kevin McCollum (High Fidelity) and Doug Morris, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, have signed on as producers. No book writer for the musical has been announced, although Suzan-Lori Parks (Porgy and Bess) and Katori Hall (The Mountaintop) have reportedly met with Gordy. No theater, starting date or casting have been announced.

On the Motown label, Gordy launched the careers of Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin, The Contours, Mary Wells, The Miracles, The Commodores, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Velvelettes and more. In 1988, Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Hit songs released on the Motown label include The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” the Temptations’ “My Girl,” Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and the Supremes’ “You Can’t Hurry Love.” No word on which Motown classics would be included in the forthcoming musical.