Prince ‘Purple Rain’ Musical Coming to Broadway in 2027

The stage adaptation of Purple Rain is coming to Broadway next spring with a new creative team in place.

via: Playbill

The stage adaptation of the Prince movie-musical Purple Rain will come to Broadway in 2027. Previews will begin at the Majestic Theatre March 12, 2027, with opening night set for April 12. News of the Broadway bow coincides with the 42nd anniversary of the release of the original Purple Rain film, which hit movie theatres today in 1984.

Also newly revealed is a fairly major creative team shake-up at the musical, which had its world premiere at Minnesota's State Theatre last year. Saheem Ali (Buena Vista Social Club) will take the reins as director, succeeding Lileana Blain-Cruz; and Peter Duchan (Dogfight) has replaced Branden Jacobs-Jenkins as book writer. Also newly joining for the Broadway bow will be lighting designer Justin Townsend and sound designer Gareth Owen.

Continuing with the project from last year's staging are choreographer Ebony Williams; music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator Jason Michael Webb; scenic designer David Zinn; video and projection designers Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom; costume designer Montana Levi Blanco; hair and wig designer Cookie Jordan; makeup designer Kyle Krueger; and production stage manager Amanda Spooner. Longtime Prince music collaborators Bobby Z and Morris Hayes are also continuing as music advisors. Bobby Z was Prince's drummer for almost a decade and appeared in the Purple Rain film, while Hayes was his keyboardist for nearly two decades.

Casting, by the TRC Company, is to be announced, along with an on-sale date for tickets. Orin Wolf is producing.

The project looks to bring the 1984 film—written by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn—to the stage. Seven-time Grammy winner Prince starred in the 1984 film, which also featured a soundtrack of songs written and performed by the late artist. Those songs are, of course, the main event of the stage musical, with press notes promising that audiences will get to hear “When Doves Cry,” “I Would Die 4 U,” "Take Me with You," "The Beautiful Ones," and more from the icon's song catalogue.

Purple Rain tells an original story of an up-and-coming Minneapolis rock musician. The movie was a hit with audiences upon release, though it is the film's soundtrack—which comprises nine songs written and performed by Prince—that has been the most enduring. His work on the songs and score earned Prince Grammy and Academy Awards, and the album has since been certified 13-times Platinum. Prince died in 2016.

“Prince is, without doubt, one of the rarest, most brilliant musicians we've ever had," says Wolf in a statement. "What he accomplished with Purple Rain in 1984—the song, the album, and the film—is a testament to the art of making music and showcases it at the highest level. Having worked with Saheem Ali on Buena Vista Social Club, I've seen how he prioritizes serving the music, and I can't wait to watch him, Peter Duchan, Ebony Williams, and Jason Michael Webb use Prince's legendary music as the engine for this new production. It will be every bit as exciting for audiences today as it was when we first heard these songs on our boom boxes."

“Prince was an icon, and Purple Rain is iconic, one of the best musical films of my generation. I watched it as a teenager in Kenya, and though I was appropriately scandalized, it never left me, especially the music,” adds Ali. “I am honored to join the Purple Rain family and help carry this story forward. Our aim is not only to honor the legacy that Prince built, but to make his timeless music feel urgent and alive, passing it on to the next generation of fans who will make it their own.”

“Prince gave us the blueprint for this story, and our job has been to make sure his voice and music lead the show and to celebrate his remarkable legacy,” says Duchan. “It’s a privilege to help bring this story to the stage, and we’re all excited to share it with fans of the film and the album around the world.”

"Prince's music has been one of my greatest teachers for as long as I can remember. For me, helping to translate Purple Rain for the Broadway stage isn't about recreating what already exists; it's about honoring the spirit, fearlessness, and musical genius that made it timeless,” shares Webb. “Working alongside Bobby Z and Morris Hayes has been one of the most meaningful parts of this process. Their stories, their memories, and their understanding of how Prince worked have shaped so many conversations in the room. It's a constant reminder that we're here to honor the music first. If we stay true to that, I believe audiences, whether they've loved Prince for decades or are discovering him for the first time, will feel that love and respect. We want to make something that longtime fans recognize as true to his spirit while giving new audiences a chance to experience just how extraordinary this music really is."

“It’s been a real gift to dive into the world of Purple Rain,” says Williams. “Prince is an icon who defined an era of pop music—my goal in creating the movement for the musical is simply to try and celebrate the essence of what made Prince, this film, and this music legendary.”

Visit PurpleRainBroadway.com.