In April 2012, “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” the musical from John Mellencamp and Stephen King that has been in the works for a very long time, will have its world premiere at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater, according to Alliances’ website.

The musical has been in the making for 11 years at least. The work is in the Southern Gothic genre of Tennessee Williams that is based on a real story that Mellencamp wanted to bring to the stage. Williams has been a long time influence for Mellencamp. For instance, events take place in the musical in Lake Belle Reve, Mississippi, which is the name of Stella and Blanche DuBois’ Mississippi homestead in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Williams.

The plot of the musical centers around a tragedy that has haunted Joe McCandless for 40 years: the deaths of a young girl and his two brothers. The brothers had hated each other. Now the two brothers are ghosts living in the family cabin. Joe brings his two troubled sons there who appear to be poised to repeat family history.

The “Ghost Brothers” book was written by King, lyrics and music are by Mellencamp, and T Bone Burnett provides the music direction. The musical had been announced previously for a production in Spring 2009 at the Alliance. However it was delayed due to script problems.

On Thursday, Playbill.com first reported the 2012 production. Susan V. Booth, Alliance’s artistic director, will be directing the musical. “Ghost Brothers” will run from April 4 through May 13, 2012.

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