• September 27, 2012

The Great White Way has become as populated with big brands as it is with actors. Chrysler's eponymous division, which has staked its claim on Detroit since it launched "Imported From Detroit" a couple of years back is bringing the Motor City to Broadway with producers Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy. 

The Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automaker is backing "Motown: The Musical" based on the life of Motown records founder and Detroit native Berry Gordy. Now, this won't be "Dream Girls," though many will say that the character of Curtis Taylor, Jr. (played by Jamie Foxx in the movie) was based on Gordy, though that's a conversation for another day.

“Cars are the heart of Detroit and the music of Motown is its soul. The fortitude and determination of these musical founders who carved their own path and had the faith to overcome any obstacle truly reflects the spirit of the Chrysler brand’s ‘Imported from Detroit’ campaign,” said Olivier Francois, CMO of Chrysler Group LLC, in a statement. 

The musical is scheduled to hit the boards at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 14 after following preview performances beginning March 11. It's possible Gordy may be looking to create his own theatrical version of events as the book is by him, with music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue from the likes of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, and Marvin Gaye.