Aretha Franklin announces traveling show

DETROIT, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Singer Aretha Franklin has announced that she is launching a national musical production based on "Aretha: From These Roots."

The traveling production will tell the R&B and gospel singer's story of growing up in Detroit in her father's church, her troubled first marriage and of having important family friends like Sam Cooke and Dinah Washington, The Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday.

The show will also cover Franklin's trials as a single mother as well as her climb to fame with a voice that made her an international icon.

Franklin announced the news about the show on Detroit's WMXD-FM (92.3) and said she plans to hold auditions to find singers to play her at different stages of her life.

Franklin is set to appear with American Idol winner Ruben Studdard at the Detroit Music Hall for Performing Arts on Dec. 21.

She is completing a new album scheduled for release in February.