Prince‘s iconic movie Purple Rain was released in theaters 42 years years ago today (July 27, 1984) which is as good a time as any to announce that a stage musical based on the film and soundtrack album is coming to Broadway in 2027.
This adaptation will be directed by Tony-nominated director Saheem Ali (Buena Vista Social Club), with a book by playwright and screenwriter Peter Duchan (Dogfight), and a music team headed by by Tony winner Jason Michael Webb (MJ the Musical), and choreography by Emmy Award winner Ebony Williams (Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour). Prince collaborators Bobby Z and Morris Hayes will serve as Music Advisers.
“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,” said director Saheem Ali in a statement. “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,” said book writer Peter 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.”
An early version of the stage adaptation of Purple Rain ran in Minneapolis in 2025 with a book by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and was reworked with a new creative team this year. Here’s the synopsis: “Minneapolis, 1984. A new era of music television is creating overnight stars. A magnetic young performer known as ‘The Kid’ seems like the perfect frontman to lead his bandmates to stardom. But when his past threatens everything he’s built, he’ll have to sing his way out of the darkness and into the spotlight where he belongs.”
Purple Rain opens Friday, March 12, 2027 at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway. Watch a teaser for the musical and the original trailer for the movie below.