Ray Charles musical headed to Broadway

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NEW YORK, March 12 (UPI) -- "Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Musical" is set to open on Broadway in November, the show's producers announced.

Written by Suzan-Lori Parks and featuring the music of Ray Charles, the show is being directed by Sheldon Epps. It is to begin previews Oct. 8 and will officially open Nov. 7 at a Shubert Theatre to be announced.

"Unchain My Heart" is to be presented on Broadway by Stuart Benjamin, who knew and worked with Charles for 15 years and produced the multi Oscar-nominated and award-winning film "Ray."

The musical's 20-member company and the theater will be announced at a later date.

"'Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Musical' explores the strength, humor and musical genius of the legendary Ray Charles. One of the greatest pioneering musical artists of all time, Ray Charles mastered everything from soul and rhythm and blues to gospel, jazz, country and pop," the show's producers said in a news release. "Set in his last live recording session, 'Unchain My Heart' reveals Charles's remarkable life story through his music."

An earlier, developmental production of the musical was produced at California's Pasadena Playhouse in 2007 under the title of "Ray Charles Live!"

Ray Charles died in 2004 at the age of 73.