Adaptation of Prince's 'Purple Rain' Hits Broadway Stage in Celebration of Album and Film's 40th Anniversary

Prince Ross Marino/Getty Images

The legendary Purple Rain by Prince is currently in the process of being transformed into a Broadway production. Released in 1984, the film showcased the musician's acting skills and earned nearly $100 million globally, along with winning an Academy Award for its original score. The soundtrack achieved 13-time platinum status and received two Grammy awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

L. Londell McMillan, chairman of The NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music, expressed their excitement for the stage adaptation of Prince's iconic film, Purple Rain. They believe it is a fitting tribute to honor Prince and the legacy of Purple Rain. They are thrilled with the Broadway partners and creative team who are bringing a theatrical element to the beloved story. They are eager for a new generation to discover Purple Rain and for original fans to experience its power once again, this time live.

The plot of Purple Rain takes place in Minneapolis, Prince's hometown, and follows the story of The Kid, a young guitarist seeking refuge from his difficult home life by performing with his band at the First Avenue nightclub. The film features Apollonia Kotero as The Kid's love interest, Clarence E. Williams III as his abusive father, and Morris Day leading the group The Time. Prince and The Revolution, who recorded the soundtrack, also appear in the film.

Prince embraces Apollonia Kotero in a scene from the film ‘Purple Rain’. Warner Brothers/Getty Images

The film Purple Rain made its debut in July 1984 and was later selected by the United States National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance in 2019. The upcoming stage adaptation will feature a score by Prince, who tragically passed away in 2016 at the age of 57 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose. The book for the stage version is based on the original screenplay of Purple Rain, written by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn.

The world premiere's timing and location will be announced later. Purple Rain was Prince's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 and spent 24 consecutive weeks at the top. In 2011, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The album and film also inspired the Purple Rain tour consisting of 98 concerts from 1984-85 featuring Sheila E. and Apollonia 6 as Prince’s opening acts.

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Prior to its release in 1984, Prince held a benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theatre at the First Avenue nightclub in August 1983. According to keyboard player Lisa Coleman, Prince surprised the band by announcing that the song "Purple Rain" would be recorded live at the show for the album.

She recalled of the historic moment, “Prince was really excited and kept pumping us up: ‘We’re making history tonight.’”