The musical “Purple Rain” made its debut in St. Paul, Minnesota last year at the State Theatre.
Now, the musical will be making its Broadway debut next year; but with some major creative changes…
“Buena Vista Social Club” director Saheem Ali will be taking over the directing duties of the musical with Peter Duchan doing a re-write of the book.
The musical is adapted from the 1984 film “Purple Rain” and is set to begin at the Majestic Theatre on March 12 with an official opening on April 12.
Lighting designer Justin Townsend and sound designer Gareth Owen are also joining the team. However, choreographer Ebony Williams, music supervisor Jason Michael Well, scenic designer David Zinn, video designers Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, costume designer Montana Levi Blacno, hair and wig designer Cookie Jordan, makeup designer Kyle Krueger, and production stage manager Amanda Spooner will all be remaining with the show.
Prince drummer Bobby Z – who was in the original film – and keyboardist Morris Hayes are remaining with the production as musical advisors.
Casting will be announced at a later date.
Seven time Grammy Award winner Prince wrote the songs for the original film and the new show promises that fans will get to hear them in the new musical.
The soundtrack from the “Purple Rain” film has been certified 13 times platinum and has been certified Diamond for selling at least 10 million copies in the United States.
Musical producer Orin Wolf spoke on the musical via statement saying, “Prince is, without doubt, one of the rarest, most brilliant musicians we’ve ever had. What he accomplished with Purple Rainin 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.”
Director Saheem Ali adds, “Prince was an icon, and Purple Rainis 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. I am honored to join the Purple Rainfamily 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.”
Book writer Peter Duchan noted, “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. 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.”
Ebony Williams said, “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. 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.”