Burgess has penned the music and lyrics to a musical based on the hit film; Daniel Beaty wrote the book.

An industry reading of The Preacher's Wife is presented in Manhattan September 12 starring Loretta Devine and Ledisi. Olivier nominee Stafford Arima directs with musical direction by James Sampliner.

The Broadway-aimed musical is described as “the story of one woman (Julia’s) journey to find her voice and strengthen her husband (the Preacher) and larger church community during a moment of financial crisis and emotional overwhelm. In a fast-gentrifying Harlem when they’re at risk of losing their church and their hope, an Angel appears and reminds them that a church is not a building, but the people who inhabit it and the love they share.”

Burgess made his Broadway debut in 2005 as Eddie in Good Vibrations. His other roles include Hal Miller in Jersey Boys, Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid and Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the 2009 revival of Guys and Dolls.

Beaty's critically acclaimed plays Through the Night, Emergency, Mr. Joy, Breath & Imagination and The Tallest Tree in the Forest - Paul Robeson have been performed at venues including the Public, Lincoln Center, BAM and the White House.

(Updated September 12, 2016)