Jake and Elwood go legit

Another hit film property is going to get new life as a stage musical. This time it’s “The Blues Brothers Revival,” which opens April 20 in Chicago, where the 1980 film starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd was set.

Unlike “The Producers,” “The Full Monty” and other recent transfers from film to stage, this one will not repeat the movie’s story; a new plot has been devised in which Jake, the Belushi character, is stuck in purgatory until Elwood, played by Aykroyd in the film, arrives with a posse of gospel singers in an attempt to open heaven’s gate to his old buddy. Musical numbers will be culled from the original film and subsequent albums Belushi and Aykroyd released as the Blues Brothers, with some classic gospel tunes as well. Established Chicago blues players will make up the onstage band.

Producers include Aykroyd and Belushi’s widow, Judy Belushi Pisano. Her husband, Victor Pisano, wrote the script and will direct. Plans call for a continuous eight-shows-a-week run in the 350-seat Mainstage of the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts.

-- Mike Boehm