Motown Recoups Broadway Investment Before Closing Night
Jan 16, 2015

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, the smash hit musical featuring the music of the legendary Motown catalogue and a book by Berry Gordy, will play its final performance of its current Broadway engagement this Sunday, January 18, 2015 at The Lunt Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46 Street) and will return to Broadway in a Nederlander theatre to be announced in Summer 2016.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will conclude its current Broadway run as both a critical and audience favorite and a commercial hit, having recouped its $18 million investment at the end of 2014.

The smash hit musical's world premiere production that began performances March 11, 2013 marked the first time in fifteen years that an original musical opening cold on Broadway - without a prior, out-of-town engagement or transfer from London's West End - grossed more than $1 million for three consecutive weeks during previews prior to it's opening.

The production continued to routinely break the weekly gross box office record at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre with million dollar-grossing weeks and an average ticket price of $112.72.

CBS Sunday Morning proclaimed Motown the Musical "More than a Broadway show, a celebration of music that transformed America." The New York Times said "A joy ride! Something close to rapture spreads throughout the audience," and Associated Press called the hit musical "Stunning! Berry Gordy's story is a remarkable one. His songs are the soundtrack of America."

The legendary Motown family turned out in force throughout the musical's Broadway run to both pay tribute to the legacy of Berry Gordy and to relive the story of one of the world's most ground breaking record labels in history. The star studded opening night performance witnessed Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Mary Wilson and Valerie Simpson surprising Berry Gordy when the icons joined the cast on stage at The Lunt Fontanne Theatre to a roaring standing ovation.

The first National Tour of Motown the Musical opened to critical acclaim last spring in Chicago, grossing an impressive $20 Million dollars during its standing room only sixteen-week run, and is now playing major markets across the US. A UK production is planned for the summer of 2015.