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Mama, I Want to Sing!
Official poster
Directed by	Charles Randolph-Wright
Produced by	Holly Davis Carter Jeff Clanagan David Pomier
Written by	Vy Higginsen (musical) Ken Wydro (musical) Charles Randolph-Wright
Starring	Lynn Whitfield Ciara Harris Patti LaBelle Juanita Bynum Hill Harper Billy Zane Ben Vereen
Music by	Vy Higginsen Ken Wydro
Cinematography	Keith Smith
Editing by	John Sitter
Distributed by	Fox Faith Vision Films CodeBlack Entertainment
Release date(s)	February 2010
Running time	95 minutes
Language	English
Budget	Unknown

Mama, I Want to Sing! is an upcoming 2010 American musical film written and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, produced by CodeBlack Entertainment, and distributed by 20th Century Fox's Fox Faith division. The film is an adaptation of the off-Broadway gospel stage musical of the same name, written and produced by Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro.

The film 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. Doris Troy's niece, Knoelle, who has played the star role in the off-Broadway production, makes her film debut in the movie in a principal role.

One of the executive producers announced via Twitter that the movie was completed in June 2009. The official movie trailer was released and premiered on September 22, 2009. It has been reported the film will premiere theatrically but is unknown for its release. It was set to premiere September 26, 2009 at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York, but due to technical issues it was canceled.^[1] It is currently set for a theatrical release in February 2010.

Plot summary

Inspired by the hit off-Broadway play, Amara Winter (Ciara), a beautiful and charismatic young singer, is on the verge of pop stardom. Raised in the church by her father, Reverend Dr. Kenneth Winter (Marvin Winans) and mother, Lillian Winter (Lynn Whitfield), Amara and her younger brother Luke (Kevin Phillips) have a very strong bond. After her father's untimely death, her mother is thrust into the limelight in the role as preacher, a daring move that ultimately catapults her to the top of the gospel world. Paralleling her mother's success, Amara soon becomes a huge star in her own right, taking the pop music world by storm.

Conflict begins to ensue when her mother is confronted with, and unequivocally disapproves of, Amara's secular music and videos. Amara must learn to pursue her dreams while navigating the often treacherous world of celebrity and striving to remain true to herself and family. Amara and her mother must work through their differences realizing that their journeys are not quite so different after all.

Additional Notes

• Tarralyn Ramsey and Paris Bennett auditioned for the role of Amara until CodeBlack Entertainment offered the role to Ciara.
• Vy Higginsen, the original playwright for the off-Broadway production of "Mama, I Want to Sing!", assisted Charles Randolph-Wright with the script.
• A teaser trailer, featuring the score and cast names, was released in 2008.
• The film was originally set to be released Fall 2008, but due to the recording of additional scenes it will officially be released Fall 2009.^[1]
• Kevin Phillips, who played Luke in the film, also played Ciara's love interest in her music video, "Never Ever".
• Shalyric Self was set to portray the younger version of Amara, but due to contract issues, she was replaced by Mariah Roberson.^[2]
• AOL Black Voices premiered the official trailer for the film, and CodeBlack uploaded it onto their official YouTube channel.^[3]

Cast

• Ciara ... Amara Winter
• Lynn Whitfield ... Lillian Winter (Amara's Mother)
• Marvin Winans... Rev. Winter (Amara's Father)
• Patti LaBelle ... Sister Carrie
• Billy Zane ... Dillan (Amara's Producer)
• Hill Harper ... Jeff Andrews (Amara's Manager)
• Kim Porter ... Tara
• Ben Vereen ... Horace Payne
• Ava Santana ... Ava - Dr. Winter's Assistant
• Kevin Phillips ... Luke
• Alexandra Cheron ... Kimberly
• Juanita Bynum ... Beverly
• Shonda Farr ... Holly
• Mariah Roberson ... Young Amara
• Courtney Shay Young ... Amara's Wardrobe
• Geraldine Glenn ... Still Photographer
• Marissa D'Onofrio ... Sienna
• Gospel For Teens Choir

References

External links

• Official Site
• Mama, I Want to Sing! at the Internet Movie Database
• Mama, I Want to Sing: Official Site of the Off-Broadway Play