This autumn, Motown the Musical will embark on its first ever UK and Ireland Tour whilst the show continues to play at Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End.
The producers announced today that they will be holding open auditions for talented child and adult performers to play iconic Motown artists in the touring production.
The open auditions will take place on Saturday 16th June on stage at Manchester Opera House and Sunday 17th June at the workshop spaces in Birmingham Conservatoire.
The producers are looking for black and mixed-race boys, aged between 8-13 with unbroken voices and under 4’11” to play Little Michael Jackson, Little Stevie Wonder and Little Berry Gordy. Children auditionees will be taught a short dance routine and the song I Want You Back. Please bring trainers, comfortable clothes to dance in and plenty of water. The children’s auditions will be from 10.00am-1.00pm with registration from 9.00am to10.00am.
In addition, producers are also looking for black and mixed-race male and female performers aged over 18 to portray the iconic stars of the Motown era. They must have fantastic singing voices with dance/movement and acting skills. Auditionees need to prepare two Motown songs with the sheet music (no backing tracks) and will need to bring a CV and recent photograph/headshot. The adult auditions will be from 2.00pm to 5.00pm with registration from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.
Charles Randolph-Wright, Director of the show said: “Not only will you get to play Michael Jackson, you will also step into the shoes of young Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder. We are looking for boys who have excellent singing and acting skills and of course, you must also be able to move like Michael!”.
Natalie Gallacher at Pippa Ailion Casting, Casting Director of Motown the Musical said “Since we opened the show in London we have had the pleasure of working with some great children. We are now looking for the next group of boys from across the UK to join us in our brand-new tour to play one of the most iconic roles in the music industry, Michael Jackson. If you are male, black or mixed race, aged 8 to 13 years old, then we would love to see you at our open auditions. We are also always excited to find brand new undiscovered talent for our adult company. If you’re black or mixed race, aged over 18 and have a passion for singing and performing we’d love to see you”.
The tour opens at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre on 11 October 2018 and will play in venues across the country until late 2019. Full tour details below with more venues soon to be announced.
The London production of Motown the Musical continues to play to standing ovations at the Shaftesbury Theatre where it has entered its third year and is currently booking until 5 January 2019.
With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production features a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine and tells the story behind the classic hits.
With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more. Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.
Tony-nominated Motown the Musical received its world premiere in April 2013 in New York and recouped its $18 million investment by the end of 2014. The first US National Tour opened to critical acclaim in Spring 2014 in Chicago, grossing $20 million dollars during its standing room only sixteen-week run, and continues to play to packed houses across America.
Motown the Musical has music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Ethan Popp, co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Crook and dance arrangements by Zane Mark. Choreography is by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Peter Hylenski and video by Daniel Brodie. UK Associate Director is Tara Wilkinson, UK, London Conductor & Associate Music Supervisor is Gareth Weedon, UK Associate Set Designer is Andrew Edwards and UK Associate Lighting Designer is Alistair Grant and UK Sound Associate is Chris Full. Motown the Musical is produced in the West End by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris, Berry Gordy and Adam Spiegel.
The original Broadway cast recording of Motown the Musical is available via Motown Records, a label of UMG Recordings – www.classicmotown.com.
Information on the tour and West End production can be found on the Motown website – https://motownthemusical.co.uk/tour/.