Prince‘s 1984 film Purple Rain, which turns 40 this year, is being turned into a stage musical. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the adaptation is being produced by Orin Wolf, who was behind Tony winner The Band’s Visit and is currently turning music documentary Buena Vista Social Club into a musical as well. It will feature Prince’s songs from the film and soundtrack album, with a book by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, whose play Appropriate is currently on Broadway, and based on the screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn. Lileana Blain-Cruz is attached to direct.
If you haven’t seen the original film, Purple Rain stars Prince as The Kid, an ambitious Minneapolis musician who juggles rising fame, struggles with his family and new romance. The film won Best Original Song Score at the Oscars, while the soundtrack won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Stay tuned for more detail of the musical, which is in the very early stages of pre-production.
Watch the trailer for the original Purple Rain below.
Pick up Purple Rain on vinyl, along with other Prince albums, in the BV shop.