Youngsters From Across Manchester Bid To Become The Next Michael Jackson At Auditions In Manchester

Motown the Musical lands on the Manchester Opera House Stage from 26 February - 23rd March 2019 and producers from the hit West End show recently held open auditions at the Opera House Manchester to find talented child and adult performers to play iconic Motown artists in the touring production.

Hordes of talented youngsters turned out for the chance to play Little Michael Jackson, Little Stevie Wonder and Little Berry Gordy as well as countless of adult performers bidding for the chance to play the iconic stars of the Motown era.

Those who were successful yesterday will be announced in due course.

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/.

Photo Credit: Phil Tragen