Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (1987)

You’ve read the book. You’ve seen the documentary. Now get ready for the musical version of Roger Ebert’s epic life.

“The Black White Play (Honoring the Memory of Roger Ebert through Music),” a new musical inspired by the life of the late film critic, was announced this week on the 2015 lineup of Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater.

Roger and Chaz Ebert

Written and directed by Jackie Taylor, founder and artistic director of the Uptown neighborhood theater, the musical is scheduled to run from September 19 to November 1, 2015. Taylor told the Sun-Times the tribute is being partially funded by a bequest from the trust of Roger Ebert.

Ebert died in 2013 after a legendary career as Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic for the Sun-Times and host of the nationally syndicated movie-review show he founded with the late Gene Siskel.

Chaz Ebert, who sustains her late husband’s legacy as publisher of Ebert Digital and president of Ebert Productions, is a longtime supporter of the non-profit Black Ensemble Theater.

“ 'The Black White Play’ is a tribute to Roger Ebert where the music will speak to his philosophy of life,” according to a statement from the theater.

Ebert’s 2012 autobiography, Life Itself: A Memoir, was the basis for “Life Itself,” the feature-length documentary released after his death. Produced by Chicago-based Kartemquin Films, the film will have its global television debut January 4 on CNN, airing at 8 and 10 p.m. It will air again January 10 at 8 and 10 p.m.

Earlier this week, "Life Itself" made the Oscar shortlist — the list of 15 films that now will contend for five nominations for the Academy Award for best documentary.