Country Star Lorrie Morgan Joins Joe Nichols in Broadway's Pure Country

Platinum recording artist Lorrie Morgan will join fellow country music star Joe Nichols in the previously announced Broadway production of Pure Country, according to Country Weekly. Based on the 1992 film that starred George Strait, the new musical, directed and co-written by Peter Masterson, is set to hit the stage in early 2010.

Morgan will play Lula, manager of leading man Rusty (played by Nichols), in the story of a country music superstar at the height of his career. When the high pressure stakes of stardom begin to take their toll and he walks out of an overblown concert tour, Rusty begins to find himself—and the love he left behind.

“I auditioned for the part in New York and got the role,” Morgan told Country Weekly. I wasn’t even looking to do something like this, but I’m very excited about it.”

The musical is based on the Warner Brothers’ film of the same name, written by Rex McGee and directed by Christopher Cain. It starred Strait (in his film debut), Lesley Ann Warren, Kyle Chandler and Rory Calhoun (in his final film appearance). The soundtrack went to number one on the U.S. Country Album Chart and spawned two number one country singles, “Heartland” and “I Cross My Heart.” Both songs were written and co-produced by Steve Dorff, and have been added to Dorff’s otherwise new and original score for Pure Country.

Morgan burst onto the country scene in 1989 with the hit single “Trainwreck of Emotion.” The daughter of Grand Ole Opry star George Morgan, the legacy followed up with a chain of Billboard chart-topping singles including “Five Minutes,” “What Part of No” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” Morgan has recorded almost a dozen studio albums since, and was the first female country star to have three consecutive albums certified platinum. Her newest release, the upcoming I Walk Alone, is expected to hit stores in October.

Pure Country features music by Dorf, lyrics by John Bettis and a book co-written by helmer Masterson and original screenwriter McGee. Details on further casting, dates and a theater have yet to be announced.