Aretha Franklin's life story is being made into a stage musical, and the Queen Of Soul herself is holding auditions for actors to play herself as well as the key people in her life. Adapted from her autobiography of the same name, Franklin plans to produce the musical From These Roots in her hometown of Detroit later this year. The show is expected to tour major cities afterward before heading to Broadway.

 Auditions for all major roles will be held on May 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel in Southfield, Michigan, outside of Detroit. Those seeking to audition are being asked to refer to photographs from Franklin's book to resemble the character that they are auditioning for.

Hopefuls will be asked for a non-returnable resume, 8-by-10 photo, and a CD, DVD or videotape to leave with the producers. They should be prepared to sing to either sheet music for piano or pre-recorded music they bring.

The roles break down as follows:
Aretha, 10-years-old -- The gospel years. Please prepare 3 gospel selections, two slow, one up-tempo.
Aretha, 15 to 20-years-old -- The late gospel/early R&B years. Please prepare both a gospel selection as well as an R&B selection.
Aretha, 23 to 29-years-old -- The foxy R&B years. Please prepare an R&B selection.

Reverend C.L. Franklin (Aretha's father) -- 40 to 50-years-old
Vaughn Franklin (Aretha's brother), 19-years-old, 30-years-old, 40-years-old
Cecil Franklin (Aretha's brother)
Erma Franklin (Aretha's sister), 14-years-old, 24-years-old, 33-years-old
Carolyn Franklin (Aretha's baby sister)
Cousin Brenda (Aretha's cousin), 30 to 37-years-old
Ruth Bowen (Aretha's longtime manager), 23 to 30-years-old, 43 to 50-years old.
LaRue Mann (Aretha's longtime wardrobe mistress), 23 to 30-years-old, 43 to 50-years-old
Auditions to be held on:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday May 1st, 2nd and 3rd
From 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. daily at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel, 25100 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, Michigan 48075.

Those who cannot show up for the audition in person should send materials to From These Roots c/o
Crown Productions
P.O. Box 1070
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
248-745-9778