Purple Rain Musical to Open on Broadway

Lead Producer Orin Wolf has announced that Purple Rain will begin performances at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre on March 12, 2027 ahead of an official opening night April 12.

The musical is based on the 1984 film starring Prince as a captivating young musician on the brink of superstardom when his past comes back to haunt him. The film, which won Prince an Academy Award for Best Original Song, debuted 42 years ago today.

The stage adaptation features over 20 songs by Prince including “When Doves Cry,” “I Would Die 4 U,” “Take Me with You,” “The Beautiful Ones,” and, of course, “Purple Rain.”

The production will be directed by Saheem Ali (Buena Vista Social Club), with a book by Peter Duchan (Dogfight). The music team will be led by Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb (MJ) and choreographed by Emmy Award winner Ebony Williams (Sneakerella). Bobby Z and Morris Hayes, both of whom worked with Prince for years as bandmates and musical collaborators, will serve as music advisers.

The Broadway production of Purple Rain will feature scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn, video & projection design by Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, costume design by Tony Award winner Montana Levi Blanco, lighting design by Tony Award winner Justin Townsend, sound design by Tony Award winner Gareth Owen, hair and wig design by Cookie Jordan, and makeup design by Kyle Krueger. The production stage manager is Amanda Spooner.

Casting is by The TRC Company and will be announced at a later date.

A previous version of Purple Rain, featuring a book by two-time Tony Award winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and direction by Lileana Blain-Cruz, debuted last year at Hennepin Arts’ State Theatre in Prince’s hometown of Minneapolis.