A musical on the life story of kung fu legend Bruce Lee is set to hit Broadway in a couple of years.

“Bruce Lee: Journey to the West” traces Lee’s journey to stardom and figures from Chinese mythology will follow his quest to master his skills and merge East and West cultures

Besides martial arts, the musical also features Chinese Opera, modern dance and pop music. It is targeted for the 2010-2011 Broadway season.

Lee starred in classic kung fu films such as “Enter the Dragon” and “Fists of Fury” before dying a sudden and tragic death in 1973 at the age of 32. At least four documentaries have been produced about his life.

Also set to hit Broadway in 2010 is a musical on Nelson Mendela, South Africa’s most celebrated leader.

The musical about South Africa’s struggle for freedom from apartheid is based in part on a forthcoming memoir by Zindzi Mandela, daughter of the former South African president. The memoir recounts touching anecdotes from her youth as she grew up during South African apartheid with her father in jail.

Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 after serving 27 years for his activities against the apartheid and was inaugurated in 1994 as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has become a world-wide symbol of freedom, equality and empowerment.

"I think it's the right time for the story to be told, and PSE Broadway's idea to take the story to the musical stage is exciting," Zindzi Mandela said in the statement. "The freedom songs were so important to the morale of the people, so it's natural for the story to be told with music as a cornerstone."

- CNA