Cash died in September 2003 after complications from diabetes

The new project, titled Ring of Fire after one of Cash's hit records, will include more than 40 of his songs.

"There will be no Johnny Cash impersonator on stage as the star of the show is the music," said producer Bill Meade.

The director is Richard Maltby, who won a Tony Award for Ain't Misbehavin'.

Songs used in the musical will include I've Been Everywhere, Folsom Prison Blues, A Boy Named Sue, and Hurt, alongside Ring of Fire.

Prolific career

Auditions are being held in New York and Nashville, Tennessee this month.

"Through the music, loyal fans and mere observers will discover the soul of this man who touched so many," said Mr Meade.

Johnny Cash produced more than 45 albums during his long career, which took off in the 1950s when he joined Sun Record's so-called million-dollar quartet session with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley.

He went on to sell more than 50 million records.

He also acted and produced films, hosted a TV show and wrote an autobiography titled Man in Black.

Cash died aged 71 in September last year after complications from diabetes, which resulted in respiratory failure.