RIALTO CHATTER: Ray Charles Musical Unlikely for Spring

According to Variety, UNCHAIN MY HEART might not move to Broadway this spring after all. The show, which was previously titled Ray Charles LIVE!, was to open at the Ethel Barrymore on November 7, but was postponed until spring. Now the production has been put on hold because a producer of the show is suing the show's primary investor. A rep for UNCHAIN MY HEART commented that he 'had no details about a new production timeline, but admitted a spring start doesn't seem viable.'

As reported yesterday by Broadwayworld,  Ray Charles LIVE! producer Stuart Benjamin is suing his primary investor, Maurice Grant, for fraud, and is demanding $20 million in damages. Grant reportedly  'promised him $9 million in several installments to get Ray Charles Live! to Broadway'. Grant's first payment of $150,000 never cleared, and he never received a $2 million payment from February.

UNCHAIN MY HEART stars Brandon Victor Dixon as "Ray Charles" and Nikki Renée Daniels as "Della" with Harrison White as "JefF Brown" and Tasha Taylor as "Margie Hendricks."

Directed by Sheldon Epps, UNCHAIN MY HEART features the music of Ray Charles and a book by Suzan-Lori Parks. Unchain My Heart will also feature Choreography by Kenneth L. Roberson with Associate Edgar Godineaux, Music Supervision and Arrangements by Rahn Coleman, Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler and Music Direction by Shelton Becton. The design team for UNCHAIN MY HEART includes Riccardo Hernandez (Sets), Paul Tazewell (Costumes), Howell Binkley (Lights), Carl Casella (Sound), Jason H. Thompson (Projections), Charles LaPointe (Hair). Casting is by Telsey & Company, Technical Supervision by Theatersmith, Inc. and the General Manager is Don Frantz & Laurie Brown of Town Square Productions, Inc.

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 & blues to gospel, jazz, country and pop. Set in his last live recording session, UNCHAIN MY HEART reveals Charles' remarkable life story through his music. Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) weaves together true tales that reveal the spirit of the man whose life and music helped to define soul, and inspired people the world over.

UNCHAIN MY HEART will feature Charles' best-known hits, including: "Georgia on My Mind," "What'd I Say," "Mess Around," "Hit The Road, Jack," "Unchain My Heart," "I Got a Woman," "You Don't Know Me" and "Hallelujah, I Love Her So."

For more information, visit www.UnchainMyHeartOnBroadway.com.