LaBelle, Ciara, Etc. to Star in Film Version of Off-Bway Hit

Variety reports that Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Ciara, Grammy-winning R&B legend Patti LaBelle, and Emmy Award-winner Lynn Whitfield (HBO's "The Josephine Baker Story," film Eve's Bayou) will star in CodeBlack Entertainment's adaptation of Off-Broadway gospel musical Mama, I Want to Sing!, which played more than 2,400 performances between 1983 to 1991. Scheduled for theatrical release next February, Mama, I Want to Sing! will start production next month in Baton Rouge, LA.

"Mama" will be written and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (Preaching to the Choir), and produced by Codeblack's Jeff Clanagan, as well as Marvet Britto (The Woodsman) and Holly Davis Carter (The Gospel). This is the first feature role for Ciara, who will play the lead.

Mama, I Want to Sing! is based on the life story of Doris Troy, a preacher's daughter who sang in a Church Choir before being discovered by James Brown. Her successful recording career included the hit "Just One Look" and work with the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, George Harrison, and Dusty Springfield.