Friday, March 29, 2024

“Soul Train” is Coming to Broadway: Get out the Afro Wigs and Platform Shoes

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Broadway continues to revisit pop music of the recent past. “Motown” is a big hit, and “Rock of Ages” keeps chugging along. And don’t forget Carole King-Gerry Goffin and Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil from “Beautiful.” Now comes word that “Soul Train” is going to do The Hustle right into a Broadway theater. Can we take a disco musical? And who will play Don Cornelius? “Soul Train” comes from the producer of “Rock of Ages.”

Matthew Weaver, says a release, has acquired the rights to “Soul Train” from Soul Train Holdings LLC, a partnership between Magic Johnson Productions and Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Company. There were 1,100 episodes of the fabled music show. Someone will have to write a book and a score, plus choose the music to go along with it. (Nile Rodgers, call your agent!)

“Soul Train” featured every major R&B act of the 70s and 80s. Its theme music came from Gamble & Huff, and was a hit instrumental disco record called “The Sound of Philadelphia.”

“Soul Train,” if it’s done right, should be a lot of fun. If they’re smart, they’ll rotate through special guest stars of the era and turn the whole thing into a party. Gloria Gaynor, get ready!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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