The Roots' Black Thought - real name Tarik Trotter - is to contribute music and lyrics to a new musical based on George S Schuyler's 1931 novel 'Black No More'. The story is being adapted for the stage by 'Twelve Years A Slave' screenwriter John Ridley, with the show set to premiere later this year.
Theatre production company New Group says of the musical adaptation: "It's June 1928 in New York City, and Howard University graduate Dr Junius Crookman promotes a mysterious machine that promises to remove the burden of race from any person of colour by turning them white - Crookman's plan to 'solve the American race problem'. 'Black No More' is an examination of race, identity and the very nature of love".
Trotter will also act in the show, alongside Jennifer Damiano, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tamika Lawrence and Theo Stockman. Daryl Walters will work on music supervision and arrangements, Bill T Jones will choreograph and it will be directed by Scott Elliott.
Initial performances are currently set to take place in New York in October.