Scoot over, “The Color Purple” — there’s a new purple production headed to the theater and it’s none other than Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Yes, that “Purple Rain.”
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The news was made public on Monday with additional details, including casting, still to come. What we know as of now is that the play will be written by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Tony Award-nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz, with music and lyrics by Prince (naturally).
“It’s been almost 40 years since Prince’s legendary film, ‘Purple Rain,’ took the world by storm and we can’t think of a more fitting tribute than to honor Prince and the ‘Purple Rain’ legacy with this stage adaptation of the beloved story,” said L. Londell McMillan, Chairman of The NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music.
“We are thrilled with our Broadway partners and creative team, who are bringing a theatricality to the film’s original fictional story. We can’t wait for a new generation to discover ‘Purple Rain’ and for lovers of the original film and album to experience its power once again, this time live.”
If 40 years has dulled your memory some, the 1984 Oscar-winning film centers around “The Kid,” an up-and-coming rock musician in the Minneapolis club scene played by Prince Rogers Nelson himself, as he contends with a tumultuous home environment, a rival band and a budding romance. The film features Morris Day & the Time, Apollonia Kotero and the late Clarence Williams III.
While this news may be elating to some and cause others to be cautiously optimistic, we thought it’d be fitting to highlight a few major things we’d want to see in the upcoming production:
Perfect Casting
Before the news of the stage adaptation became public, there had been talks of a potential Prince biopic making it’s way to Hollywood in the coming years. While those shoes would be a lot for any artist to want to fill, there is one person who bears an slight resemblance to the “Raspberry Beret” singer and has the acting chops to pull off a stage production: Andre Holland
With experience in theater, TV, and film (looking at you “Moonlight”), Holland has what it takes to bring this iconic story to life in a new way.
New and Original Songs
I know we all love the original “Purple Rain” album, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t up for hearing some potentially unreleased songs or all new ones to compliment the already amazing body of work. I understand there are certain pieces of art that need no improvements or additions, and I agree that “Purple Rain” is one of them! But there’s nothing wrong with showing some new songs some love if they help move the story along and, even better, if they’re unheard tracks from Prince himself — it’s a win-win for everyone!
Inclusion of Morris Day & the Time
There’s no way you can adequately tell this story without including Morris Day & The Time with Jerome Benton! Since The Time is currently touring in the U.S., I doubt they’d want to commit to a lofty production schedule, but a quick cameo of sorts would be a perfect nod to the original. Here’s hoping they have some sort of involvement in this new iteration.
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