When: March 21-24, 7:30 p.m., Sat., March 25, 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun., March 26, 1 & 6:30 p.m. 2017
The story of Motown founder and songwriter Berry Gordy Jr. is one of determination and luck. He met singer Jackie Wilson through family friends, and sold him a song he'd written with the help of his sister and songwriter/producer Billy Davis. That modest hit led to more songs for Wilson and an eventual No. 1 hit. Gordy used his money to segue into producing, which is how he met Smokey Robinson. Before too long, he had a fledgling record company -- Motown Record Corporation, you may have heard of it -- and was well on his way toward chart domination, crossover success with a young white audience, and ascension to the top of the music business. Motown the Musical is based on Gordy's 1994 autobiography and uses more than 50 Motown classics to tell the story of Gordy's meteoric rise. Along the way it shines the spotlight on stars such as Diana Ross, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Rick James. The jukebox musical is performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday (March 21 to 26) at the Fox Theatre (527 North Grand Boulevard; www.fabulousfox.com). Tickets are $25 to $95.