ROCK OF AGES Producer Matthew Weaver Planning Broadway Stage Adaptation of Variety Show SOUL TRAIN

Tony Award Nominated Producer Matthew Weaver (Rock of Ages) of MediaWeaver Entertainment - a movie, TV and stage production company - has acquired the theatrical stage rights to the trailblazing musical variety television series Soul Train. Created in 1970 by visionary Don Cornelius, Soul Train famously introduced the world to generations of new music and a whole new series of dance moves and styles on a weekly basis. Weaver acquired the rights from Soul Train Holdings, LLC. Weaver is now in talks with theater and film notables to come on board as the creative team for the Broadway production.

"Don Cornelius created a television show that became a cornerstone in American culture and I am excited and honored to be bringing it to the stage," said Matthew Weaver. "We are putting together a top notch team of artists to ensure Soul Train is the hippest trip on Broadway. We want to thrill the audiences who loved the TV show and introduce the incredible music and style of Soul Train to a new generation."

"Soul Train has made a significant impact on American music and pop culture and its legacy and appeal continue to resonate around the world. Creating a live theatrical interpretation of this iconic franchise is an opportunity that could not be missed," added Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Chairman, Soul Train Holdings, LLC. "We are so happy to have found the perfect producer for Soul Train in Matthew Weaver, who shepherded Rock of Ages from infancy to an international smash hit."

Soul Train, the longest running first-run, nationally syndicated music program in television history (35 years - from 1971 to 2006) predominantly featured performances by R&B, pop, soul, and hip hop artists, in addition to funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists. Soul Train highlighted a cast of incredible, diverse dancers as well as the legendary Soul Train dance line. The legacy of Soul Train lives on through the annual Soul Train Awards, which honors the best in urban music and entertainment.

MATTHEW WEAVER is the producer of the smash-hit musical Rock of Ages, which received 5 Tony Award Nominations and is currently in its 5th year on Broadway. He also oversaw the show's global expansion, which included productions in Las Vegas, London, Australia, Toronto, Japan and South Korea as well as 3 national tours, and produced the film adaptation, starring Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin, for Warner Bros. His other film credits include We're the Millers, The Heartbreak Kid, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Surfwise, Hesher, Sympathy for Delicious and Barry Munday. He recently founded the movie, television and stage production company MediaWeaver Entertainment, which has an exclusive production arrangement with Relativity Media.

SOUL TRAIN HOLDINGS, LLC was formed in May 2008 and is owned by InterMedia Partners and a partnership between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle's investment firm, The Yucaipa Companies. The iconic franchise and catalog consists of more than 1,100 episodes and 40 specials from Don Cornelius Productions, Inc. Soul Train is the longest running, first-run, nationally syndicated music program in television history. During its 35-year run, the show featured lasting innovations such as the Soul Train line and the legendary sign off "Love, Peace and Soul." At the heart of the show was Don Cornelius, the dancers and influential artists such as James Brown, Al Green, Ike & 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.