Berry Gordy News

Dedicated to celebrating black excellence, this year's "BET Honors" recognizes the achievements of five spectacular African Americans; Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy, Ken Chenault, Carrie Mae Weems and Ice Cube.

Atlanta audiences will be able to enjoy the best of Broadway, as Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta continues its tradition of bringing the most acclaimed touring productions to Midtown's historic Fox Theatre. The 2014-2015 series will feature Atlanta premieres of Disney's NEWSIES, Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, PIPPIN, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, DIRTY DANCING as well the spectacular new production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. BLUE MAN GROUP will once again play the Fox Theatre; plus, Broadway's biggest blockbuster WICKED and crowd pleaser MAMMA MIA! will also be returning as options to the regular series subscription. This expanded lineup will take theater goers on a journey through some of the most notable Broadway experiences, new and old.

Now that New Year's Eve celebrations are behind us, my favorite time of the theatre year is upon us. In late winter and early spring, theaters all around Houston start unveiling their upcoming seasons, in hopes of keeping current season subscribers and gaining new ones. Kicking off this annual season of unveiling is Gexa Energy's Broadway at the Hobby Center 2014-2015 Season announcement.

Motown The Musical creator and legendary Motown record label founder Berry Gordy will appear this weekend on Sirius XM's "Broadway Names with Julie James" to chat with Sirius XM's theatre gal-about-town about bringing the legacy of Motown to the Broadway stage.

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is pleased to announce its first exhibition of 2014, Motown: The Truth is a Hit. Featuring items that highlight Motown's inimitable founder Berry Gordy and the institution's most beloved musical acts, the multi-media showcase chronicles one of the most significant record labels in American music history.

As BoadwayWorld previously reported, Tony nominee Valisia LeKae recently announced that she would depart the cast of Broadway's MOTOWN because of an ovarian cancer diagnosis. To express their support of their castmate, the company united to perform a song written especially for her. 'I Am Here' was written by Julius Thomas III and arranged by Jason Michael Webb. Below, check out the song as performed by the cast of MOTOWN!

The producers of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL just announced that Krystal Joy Brown (Big Fish, Leap of Faith) will assume the role of “Diana Ross” beginning Thursday, January 23 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

The Hollywood Pantages, a Nederlander Theatre, reveals its lineup for the 2014-2015 SEASON, featuring six blockbuster productions currently playing to sold-out houses on Broadway and a new production of a beloved title.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents its first season at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center - Air Supply on Saturday, January 25 at 8 pm; America on Saturday, February 22 at 8 pm; Broadway star Susan Egan, the original Belle of Beauty and the Beast, on Saturday, March 1 at 8 pm; and The Temptations on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm. This four concert season, presented by the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, is a means of raising funds to support arts in the schools and maintain this beautiful state-of-the-art facility.

Broadway star N'Kenge (Motown) is performing with the Naples Philharmonic, now through January 11, 2014.

Tune in to watch Brandon Victor Dixon, Tony Award-nominated Broadway star of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, sit down with Steve Adubato, host of PBS' nationally syndicated program "One-On-One with Steve Adubato" and discuss performing in the smash hit musical on Broadway.

2014 is upon us, which means that it's time to look back on all of the highs and lows that this past theatre season has brought. BroadwayWorld is wrapping up the year by tributing our favorite moments of 2013, and in this series, we're highlighting 13 of our favorite musical moments on stage in just 30 seconds. Below, check out a 30 second clip from one of our favorite musicals of the year- Motown.

Members of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and one of Rolling Stone's top 50 bands of all time, The Temptations have four Grammy Awards, 18 #1 Billboard singles, 23 top ten singles, and 10 top ten albums. Over their 50-year history, The Temptations have become an institution noted for their precise choreography and blend of R&B vocals.

From newcomer Zachary Levi on his FIRST DATE with Broadway to veteran, half-masked opera instructor Hugh Panaro as the 'PHANTOM', this season on the Great White Way is filled with men who know how to reign onstage. Below, BWW brings you the cream of the crop currently on Broadway -- and be sure to let us know your favorite in this week's poll!

The producers of Motown the Musical have announced that Valisia LeKae, a 2013 Tony Award nominee for her performance as Diana Ross, has withdrawn from the Broadway production at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, for medical reasons. LeKae confirmed her departure in a statement on her personal Facebook page, announcing that she had recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The Broadway Boys once again host Broadway's favorite holiday party and concert with the 8th Annual BROADWAY SINGS FOR TOYS: A Benefit for Toys for Tots tonight, December 16 at 7:00pm.

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents its first season at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center - Air Supply on Saturday, January 25 at 8 pm; America on Saturday, February 22 at 8 pm; Broadway star Susan Egan, the original Belle of Beauty and the Beast, on Saturday, March 1 at 8 pm; and The Temptations on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm.

With a catalog of hit songs that have served as the soundtrack to the lives of legions of music fans worldwide, the incomparable Valerie Simpson will grace the stage at Queens College's LeFrak Concert Hall tonight, December 14th at 8:00 PM.

Hal Leonard will release a piano/vocal selections book for Motown: The Musical at the end of this month, it was announced today.