Production has begun in Atlanta, Georgia on the Disney Channel Original Movie “Let It Shine,” a modern day teenage Cyrano de Bergerac set in the world of gospel music and hip-hop. The movie is scheduled to premiere in summer 2012 on Disney Channel; its soundtrack will include 12 original songs by acclaimed music producers/songwriters/performers such as Rock Mafia (Selena Gomez and The Scene “Love You Like a Love Song”), Grammy-winner Toby Gad (Beyoncé “If I Were A Boy” and Fergie “Big Girls Don’t Cry”) and David Banner (“Dance the Night Away” featuring Denim from “Footloose” and “Get Like Me” featuring Chris Brown and Yung Joc).
The story follows 16-year-old Cyrus DeBarge, an aspiring musician who has a gift for rhyme yet lacks the self-confidence to take the stage and, through his rap song, tell his longtime crush Roxanne Andrews how he feels about her. After he and his flighty best friend, Kris McDuffy enter a songwriting contest, Kris is mistakenly named the winner for a song Cyrus wrote. Fearful of being thrust into the spotlight, Cyrus panics and allows Kris to take credit for his heartfelt lyrics and soon he’s standing by as Roxanne begins to fall for Kris.
Starring are Tyler James Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”) as Cyrus DeBarge, a gifted rapper full of self-doubt; Coco Jones (Radio Disney “N.B.T.”) as Roxanne Andrews, a fast-rising music star; Trevor Jackson (“Cold Case”) as Kris McDuffy, a thrilling dancer with a bigger than life personality; Brandon Mychal Smith (“So Random!”) as Lord of Da Bling, the intimidating champion rapper; Nicole Sullivan (“MADtv”) as Roxanne’s powerful music manger Lyla; Courtney B. Vance (“FlashForward”) as Cyrus’ preacher father, Jacob DeBarge, who opposes rap music; and Dawnn Lewis (“A Different World”) as Cyrus’ mother, Gail.
“Let It Shine” is directed by two-time DGA award winner Paul Hoen (“Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” “JONAS”), was written by Don D. Scott (“Barbershop,” “Barbershop 2: Back in Business”) and Eric Daniel. The movie is choreographed by Danny Teeson (“American Idol”) and associate Brandon Shaw (“So You Think You Can Dance,” NAACP Image Awards). Songwriters include: Antonina Armato, David Banner, Andy Dodd, In-Q, J-Doe, Toby Gad, Adam Hicks, Tim James, Steven Jones, Jay L’Oreal, Rock Mafia, Justin Mobley, Tocarra Phillips, Lindy Robbins, Thomas Armato Sturges, Dapo Torimiro, Anna Vasilenko, Jon Vella, Lambert “Stereo” Waldrip and Adam Watts. “Let It Shine” is a production of G Wave Productions, LLC.
Related articles
- Disney Channel Star Mitchel Musso Arrested for DUI (chipandco.com)
- Disney Princess: Fairy Tale Songs Set for Sept. 20 Release (chipandco.com)
