Prince ‘Purple Rain’ Musical Coming to Broadway in 2027

Purple Rain, Prince, 1984. Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

The stage adaptation of Purple Rain is coming to Broadway next spring with a new creative team in place.

The musical, based on the 1984 film, features music by Prince, including “When Doves Cry,” “I Would Die 4 U,” “Take Me with You” and “Purple Rain.” The show will play Broadway’s Majestic Theatre starting March 12, 2027, with an opening night April 12.

The musical had its world premiere at the State Theater in Minneapolis in fall 2025, where it featured a book by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and direction by Lileana Cruz. The out-of-town tryout received mixed to negative reviews.

Anne Russell, Actress in 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Mame,' Dies at 103

Movies

'Hadestown' Film Set to Hit Theaters With Goal of Charting New Course For Live Captures

As it comes to Broadway, the creative team has been revamped, with Saheem Ali (Buena Vista Social Club) directing the musical and a book by Peter Duchan (Dogfight). Choreographer Ebony Williams remains (Sneakerella; additional choreography for the Renaissance World Tour). Casting for Broadway will be announced at a later date.

Bobby Z and Morris Hayes, both of whom worked with Prince for years as bandmates and musical collaborators, are music advisers on the production. Orin Wolf, producer of Buena Vista Social Club, is lead producing.

The musical follows the plot of the Purple Rain film, which starred Prince as a young performer known as “The Kid,” who tries to lead his band to fame, while contending with his own turbulent past, a rival singer and a developing romantic interest. Prince wrote the songs for the film, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

“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,” Ali said.

“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 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.