‘Soul Train’ On Broadway??

Legendary music/dance show, “Soul Train”, may become a theatrical production soon. According to the Associated Press, stage and film producer Matthew Weaver, has purchased the stage rights to the TV show. His hope is attract more people to Broadway.

“I’m nervous and I’m humbled and I’m excited,” said Weaver, who heads the production company MediaWeaver Entertainment. “I do think we’re the right people to do it because I think it’s got to have that spirit of `Rock of Ages,’ which is part old-fashioned musical but also part party.”

“Soul Train” was the brainchild of the late Don Cornelius. Cornelius started the show in 1970. It went on to run in syndication from 1971 to 2006. Cornelius hosted the show until 1993. He passed away in 2012 from an apparent suicide.

“Soul Train’s” legendary train opening, was must-see TV for African-Americans and others who love Black music. The show showcased R&B artists in the earlier years, but later incorporated Hip Hop due to its popularity among the shows’ targeted demographic.

The TV show, a sort of black version of “American Bandstand,” featured such acts as James Brown, Al Green, Ike and Tina Turner, Hall & Oates, Donna Summer, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Prince, Run D.M.C. and Destiny’s Child during its 35-year run. Moves that “Soul Train” dancers developed spread nationwide.

 

Weaver recalls growing up and watching “Soul Train” every Saturday morning.  He says in order to bring “Soul Train” to Broadway, he has to gain rights to music and hire a writer. But, Weaver ensures press that it will not come to Broadway until “the story’s right.”

WOULD YOU GO SEE “SOUL TRAIN” THE PLAY?