A new stage musical is in the works based on the 1984 award-winning film and Prince soundtrack “Purple Rain.” The musical is being produced by Orin Wolf, a two-time Tony Award winner for “Once” and “The Band’s Visit,” L Londell McMillan, chairman of the NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music.
Tony Award-nominated director Lileana Blain-Cruz is set to helm the musical; two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, whose play “Appropriate” is currently running on Broadway, is writing the book for “Purple Rain,” which will feature the music and lyrics of Prince.
“Purple Rain” chronicles the trials of an up-and-coming rock musician called The Kid (played in the film by Prince), who is rising in the Minneapolis club scene. As the leader of the band The Revolution, The Kid must face a chaotic home environment, a rival band and a potential new love.
The Warner Bros. film “Purple Rain,” directed by Albert Magnoli and written by Magnoli and William Blinn, was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2019. The “Purple Rain” soundtrack by Prince and his band the Revolution was the recipient of two Grammy Awards as well as an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song Score. In 1999, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The late singer, songwriter and producer Prince, whose music blends genres from funk to rhythm and blues, rock, new wave, soul, jazz and hip-hop, was awarded seven Grammys total (of 38 nominations). He garnered numerous MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards Soul Train Awards and the BET Award for Lifetime Achievement. Prince died in 2016.
Prince has sold over 150 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2016.
Additional production details and timing for the “Purple Rain” musical will be announced.
Update: A previous version of this article did not include the names of all lead producers. This has been updated.
