In 1984, Purple Rain wasn’t just an album — it was a cultural earthquake. Prince, already a rising force in music, unleashed a soundtrack that blurred the lines between funk, rock, and R&B.
The record sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and gave the world hits like “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and, of course, the title track “Purple Rain.”
Beyond its chart dominance, the project solidified the “Minneapolis sound,” the fusion Prince pioneered that put his hometown on the global music map.
That same year, Purple Rain became more than music. Prince starred in a semi-autobiographical film of the same name, playing The Kid, a young artist navigating the challenges of family conflict and the cutthroat music industry while trying to carve out his own identity.
The movie, directed by Albert Magnoli, became a cult classic, earning an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and cementing Prince as not only a musician but also a storyteller with a wide-ranging vision. Its impact continues to echo across music, fashion, and pop culture more than four decades later.
Now, Purple Rain is stepping into a new arena: Broadway.
According to CBS News, the stage adaptation will premiere in Minneapolis, Prince’s birthplace and creative ground zero, before making its way to New York. Previews kick off on October 16 at the State Theatre and run through November 23, with the official opening night set for November 5.
The creative team is stacked: playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Tony-winning director Lileana Blain-Cruz, choreographer Ebony Williams, and music supervisor Jason Michael Webb, who described the project as a labor of love, saying, “It reminded me of the love we’re mandated to pour into it.”
Per The Minnesota Star-Tribune, the production will stay true to the original film, featuring the nine songs from the soundtrack.
Miami-based performer Kris Kollins will make his acting debut as The Kid, while Broadway talent Rachel Webb takes on the role of Apollonia. Longtime Prince collaborators Bobby Z. and Morris Hayes are also advising on the music, ensuring authenticity.
Producer Orin Wolf, whose credits include The Band’s Visit and Once, is spearheading the $30 million production.