BEIJING, Oct 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Yoko Ono, wife of John Lennon, on Wednesday announced that she had given the go-ahead for a Broadway musical using her late husband's work, according to a Reuters news report.

Tentatively titled "The Lennon Project," the stage musical will explore the turbulent times of the 1960s and 1970s with some 30 songs drawn from more than 200 Lennon wrote after the Beatles break-up. The legendary band released their last album, "Let It Be," in 1970 but had already dissolved as an act.

"Over the past two decades, I have been experiencing the feedback from the world to John's life, statements and music," Ono said in a statement.

"I realized what John had meant to the world. He was a catalyst who brought down the hypocrisy and the old world establishments by saying 'Gimme Some Truth.'

"What we present on stage should again give people insight, encouragement, inspiration and fun, so they can go on with their lives with some assurance and hope."

The show, which is planned for the 2004-2005 season, will be produced by Edgar Lansbury and Don Scardino. Scardino will also direct the show with a script he plans to write with Eric Overmyer.

The Lennon show follows several recent Broadway shows based on preexisting songs by a composer. The long-running "Mamma Mia" is based on music by Abba; the Tony-winning, rock-ballet "Movin' Out" is performed to Billy Joel's music; and this season marks the opening of "The Boy from Oz," a musical biography of Australian cabaret singer Peter Allen.

Ono says Lennon's message still resonates in the world today. "His message of love and peace is very, very important, especially now," Ono told Reuters in a recent interview.

"It is really taking off without me pushing too much. And I think it is really important that his words and music are communicated, especially to the younger generation." Enditem