Produced by Sylvester Stallone and Stage Entertainment USA, the musical adaptation of Stallone's movie "Rocky" will take to the stage early next year.

Stallone wrote the screenplay and starred in the film that won the best picture Oscar in 1977.

The play was a big hit in Hamburg, Germany. "Rocky: Das Musical" opened to rave reviews and continues to play to packed houses. So it's not wonder why Sly wanted the production to begin in New York.

The production will begin previews at the historic Winter Garden Theatre in February 2014 before curtains rise in March.

The musical features a score by "Ragtime" veterans Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and a story by Thomas Meehan, who wrote "The Producers" and "Hairspray."

The play's plot stays close to the film, which charted the rise and romance of amateur boxer and debt collector Rocky Balboa.

"I couldn't be more proud or more excited about this production and how my original story of Rocky Balboa has been brought to spectacular life onstage," said Stallone.

"The story of Rocky was very much like my life at the time - starting out with nothing, having to fight for roles and recognition," continued Stallone. "So I put those feelings into the body of a boxer and I had no idea there were so many millions of people that felt the same way. Alex Timbers and the entire creative team have not only honored that original impulse, but have made his story as exciting, heart-breaking, and inspiring as it was when Rocky first went the distance onscreen."

The musical will follow two other boxing-related works to appear on Broadway: Mike Tyson's one-man show about his life in and out of the ring, and a revival of Clifford Odets' "Golden Boy" about a young man torn between his natural talent as a violinist and the fast money of boxing.

Check out the trailer of the musical "Rocky" and Sly's take on it.