The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross: all of these legends graced the stations that our grandparents, parents, and even we ourselves might have listened to. But what is it that they all have in common? If you guessed Motown Records, you are right. Jukebox musical Motown the Musical tells the story of Motown Record Company’s founder and creator Berry Gordy, with the acts that he discovered and produced serving as the cast. Based on Gordy’s autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown, it is a high-rising, toe-tapping, boogie-woogie jamming production celebrating the magic and the music of Motown. The show made its Broadway premiere in April 2013 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, going on to receive four Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Actor in a Featured Role, among others. The show finished its original Broadway run in January 2015 after thirty-seven preview shows and seven hundred and eighty-three live regular performances, but the beat didn’t stop there. A U.S. national performance toured in 2014, and plans are in the works now for an international audience with a West End debut to begin on February 11th, 2016 at the Dominion Theatre and run through October 22nd, 2016. The show will then make a comeback to Broadway in July 2016. Premiering with 66 songs, the soundtrack features many of the most popular hits of the time, from those about love and heartbreak– like “I Can’t Help Myself” breaking onto the scene in 1965 or Lionel Richie’s popular “All Night Long”– to ones that compel the audience to hop up and dance– from that of the early ‘60’s Motown classic “Dancing in the Street” to the song played once at every house party in the ‘80s in “Super Freak”– the musical has something familiar for all in attendance.

A story about the trail-blazing record company that changed the world of music and, to some degree, the “American Dream,” the fun spunk of this production is one that appeals to all audience members of any age or background. As a longtime fan of the Motown sound since I was a kid, this musical presented a particular appeal to me, and I’ve wanted to see the production since I learned about it. The production is an enjoyable one, whether you’re familiar with the songs and era or not. The show is on a national tour currently, and its Baltimore run just passed in early March; but fear not, as the show comes back around the DMV area when it circuits back to Norfolk, Virginia in early April. So if you’re someone who is able to reminisce on hearing these songs growing up or someone who’s never even heard the name “Marvin Gaye” outside of the basis of a 2015 pop hit, take the chance to check out Motown the Musical.

For more information, tour dates, and ticket sales, check out the production’s website here.