Anika Noni Rose Turns Into a "Frog"

Taking foray into voice acting, Anika Noni Rose has given her agreement to fill in the voice of the titular character in Walt Disney Pictures' animated musical "The Princess and the Frog", E! Online has reported.

Set in the legendary birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, the picture will be the first traditionally animated feature film made at Disney since 2004's "Home on the Range." Touted to present an unforgettable tale of love, enchantment and discovery, it introduces the newest Disney princess, Maddy, a young African-American girl living amid the charming elegance and grandeur of the fabled French Quarter.

Seating as director is Ron Clements who will helm from the script he wrote alongside John Musker, whom Clements has collaborated with in penning for popular Disney toons such as "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin." Meanwhile, Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman has been confirmed to write all the songs and score for the film.

Rose, a Tony Award winner, made her big screen debut in 1999 through "King of the Bingo Game" and managed to land roles in few film titles like "Temptation" and "Surviving Christmas" before earning the coveted role of Lorrell Robinson in "Dreamgirls." Her upcoming movie credits include "One Part Sugar" and "Razor", the latter being a drama which Gee Malik Linton directs for Louverture Films.