Ray Charles musical delays opening until spring

[July 10, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Broadway will have to wait a little longer for a planned Ray Charles musical.

Producers announced Friday that "Unchain My Heart" will open in the spring instead of its planned opening Oct. 8. The musical is produced by Stuart Benjamin, who worked with the R&B legend for 15 years and produced "Ray," the hit movie about Charles.

Benjamin cited "logistical reasons" for the date change. The production was to play at the Barry Theatre but will instead open at the Shubert Theatre.

The show is to feature a book by Suzan-Lori Parks, direction by Sheldon Epps and star Brandon Victor Dixon as Charles.

An earlier version of the musical called "Ray Charles Live" was produced at California's Pasadena Playhouse in 2007.

[Associated Press]

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