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Bob Marley Musical Debuts in Baltimore

The reggae legend's family helps to write the production based on his life during the recording of Exodus, Kaya and Rastaman Vibration.

It's going to be a "Punky Reggae Party" in Baltimore as the first Bob Marley musical will hit Baltimore Center Stage.

The musical, simply titled, "Marley" will focus on Marley's life from 1975-1977 during his prominent Exodus and Kaya album days (both were recorded in his adopted home of England). Additionally it will feature classics such as "I Shot the Sheriff" and "No Woman, No Cry," and a host of other songs from another album he recorded during that period, Rastaman Vibration.

Kwame Kwei-Armah, playwright and Center artistic director, admitted to having some difficulty producing the musical. "The attempt is to make this into the jukebox musical that doesn't smell of jukebox musical," he told Billboard. "The idea is to let it come out of the truth of the play."

Kwei-Armah teamed up with Blue Mountain Music, which holds the publishing rights to Marley's catalogue, to create the bio-musical. Marley's family will also play a role in the production, assisting with the writing to assure accuracy to Marley's legacy.

"When it comes to our father's work and legacy, we have always been mindful in selecting the artists with whom we choose to collaborate," Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley said in a press statement. "We couldn't be more excited about the team that is assembled for this project." 

Marley also has creative help from New York's Public Theater, and will run from May 6 to June 14, 2015.  

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(Photo: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)

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