Watch CBS News

New Play 'My Brother Marvin' Looks At The Life And Death Of Marvin Gaye

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - For many, the music of Marvin Gaye defined a generation.

A new stage production based on the memoir "My Brother Marvin" looks to go beyond the music and enlighten fans about Marvin Gaye the man.

The memoir was penned by the R&B star's sister Zeola Gaye.

"I really portray Marvin the man behind the music," Zeola Gaye told CBS 2's Dick Brennan on Sunday.

Clifton Powell adapted the book for the stage and also stars as Marvin Gaye's father. Gaye's father shot and killed Marvin in 1984.

Powell said the play also covers Marvin's parents as a way of explaining his life and death.

"We talk about breaking generation curses of dysfunction in this play," Powell told CBS 2's Brennan.

The show is not a musical, but music plays a key role in the stage production. Some of the music was written specifically for the play.

Gaye said watching the actors portray her brother and her parents has helped her close this chapter of her life.

"It's kind of therapeutic for me. After I wrote the book, that really helped, so watching this every night, I think 52 times, I look at it from a different perspective," Gaye told Brennan.

"My Brother Marvin" is currently playing at the Beacon Theatre.

Please offer your comments below...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.