Stuart Benjaman, Howard and Karen Baldwin and Joe Adams will produce the piece. The first three were behind the award-winning 2004 bio-pic "Ray," starring Jamie Foxx. They possess the dramatic and musical rights to the project. Adams was the late Charles' longtime manger. Parks' many plays include Venus, Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom and Fucking A. She was at one time attached to Hoopz, the Disney stage musical about the Harlem Globetrotters that has been in development for several years. She is no longer involved with the venture.

Charles is considered a musical genius who bridged the gaps between pop, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues music during his decades-long career. His many hits include "Hit the Road, Jack," "What'd I Say?," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Georgia on My Mind," "I Got a Woman" and "Busted." He died in 2004.

"Ray" portrays his life and career between 1930 and 1966. Foxx won the 2005 Best Actor Academy Award for his work.