The late film critic Roger Ebert's life was already brought to the silver screen earlier this year in the documentary Life Itself, which is one of the best movies of the year so far for my money. But the film appears to be just the beginning, for the Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago is working on a musical based on the life of the prolific film watcher.
The news of this stage project comes from none other than RogerEbert.com, who got the story from RobertFeder.com. The upcoming musical goes under the name The Black White Play (Honoring the Memory of Roger Ebert through Music). Written and directed by Jackie Taylor, the founder and artistic director of the Black Ensemble Theater, the show is planning to run from September 19-November 1, 2015.
“The Black White Play is a tribute to Roger Ebert where the music will speak to his philosophy of life," a statement from the theater reads.
This news comes just after Life Itself was named Best Documentary of 2014 by the National Board of Review. It is also on the shortlist of films eligible for Best Documentary at the Oscars, and will have its television debut on CNN on January 4 at 9 p.m. If you haven't seen it yet, I would make a point of putting that on your TiVo list if I were you.
Image courtesy of INFGoff.com