By Kate Abbey-Lambertz
Zeola Gaye with her brother Marvin Gaye, acclaimed Motown musician who died in 1984. Zeola Gaye wrote the play “My Brother Marvin” about his childhood and private life, which debuted Feb. 12, 2013 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit before it heads on a national tour. Courtesy Zeola Gaye.
A new play about legendary singer Marvin Gaye sets out to tell the unknown story of a revered musician from the point of view of one of the people closest to him.
“My Brother Marvin” opened Tuesday at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Directed by Clifton Powell and written by Detroit playwright Angela Barrow-Dunlap, the story was conceived by Gaye’s sister Zeola Gaye. The story delves into his childhood, drawing on her personal recollections.
“I’ve always been a storyteller …. My inspiration came from the fact that I felt it was time Marvin’s fans and the world know the.. true story of Marvin,” Zeola told The Huffington Post. “We all know Marvin’s music. My story builds with my brother’s personality, what made him the man he was.”
Gaye died in 1984 when he was shot and killed by his father Marvin Gaye, Sr. Previously, he struggled with drug addiction. “My Brother Marvin” doesn’t gloss over the personal tragedies and tells the story up to the end of his life.
