In the wake of the May 20 release of the original West Coast cast album of the musical Sisterella comes word that Disney affiliate Miramax Films and Tribeca Productions will join forces with Michael Jackson and partner Jerry Greenberg to present the modern-day African-American retelling of Cinderella on Broadway.

The musical, with music, lyrics and book by Larry Hart, sold out its March-April 1996 run at Pasadena Playhouse in California, despite mixed reviews. The show is targeting August or September of 1997 to start Broadway previews, the Los Angeles Times reported.

In the musical, Sister Ella goes to court to battle her wicked stepmother Dahlia's attempts to get control of her father's $900 million estate, while the Dahlia has Ella declared insane and scheduled for a lobotomy in a mental institution -- only to be rescued by her Fairy Godfather. Hart's score contains elements of R&B, soul, disco and Gospel.

No word on whether the Pasadena cast headed by Yvette Cason and Della Miles will repeat on Broadway. Though David Simmons was credited as director in Pasadena, Hart reportedly filled that function there as well.

The cast album was released under Jackson's MJJ label. The only possible hindrance in the Broadway transfer is a $1 million lawsuit against Hart and Jackson filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Vaughn Kincey, who claims he created the idea for Sisterella and has not been credited or paid.

Hart, not to be confused with Richard Rodgers' famous lyricist of the 1920s-40s, is a Grammy-winning Gospel composer. He's also reportedly at work on Panjam, a musical based on Peter Pan.