If you’ve seen Purple Rain, you know there’s something impossible to duplicate about it. The music, the attitude, the emotion. Prince’s presence. It all felt bigger than a movie. Now, more than 40 years later, that story is getting a new life on Broadway.
The stage adaptation of Prince’s Purple Rain will arrive at the Majestic Theatre in New York next spring, bringing the legendary musician’s story and music to a whole new audience.
Based on the 1984 film, the musical features some of Prince’s most iconic songs, including “When Doves Cry,” “I Would Die 4 U,” “Take Me with You” and “Purple Rain.” Performances begin March 12, 2027, with opening night scheduled for April 12.
The production is coming to Broadway with a new creative team. Saheem Ali, known for directing Buena Vista Social Club, will direct the musical, with Peter Duchan, who wrote Dogfight, handling the book. Choreographer Ebony Williams will return after being part of the show’s world premiere at Minneapolis’ State Theater last year.
Ali says the goal is to respect what Prince created while making the story feel alive for a new generation.
“I am honoured to join the ‘Purple Rain’ family and help carry this story forward,” Ali said. “Our aim is not only to honour 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.”
Duchan says Prince’s vision remains at the centre of the production.
“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.”
Prince’s legacy. Live on Broadway. Performances begin March 12. Tickets on sale this September. Sign up now for early access: https://t.co/UDFglcKWlK pic.twitter.com/lu38Ecxg7c
— Prince’s Purple Rain on Broadway (@PurpleRainBway) July 27, 2026
The musical follows the same story as the original film, which starred Prince as The Kid, a young performer trying to find his place while chasing his dreams. Prince’s work on Purple Rain earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Adding to the connection with Prince’s original world, longtime collaborators Bobby Z and Morris Hayes will serve as music advisers. Both worked with Prince for years as bandmates and musical partners.
The Broadway announcement comes as more of Prince’s music continues to emerge. In June, it was announced that a new collection of rare and unreleased songs from his vault, Timeless, will arrive August 28 through Legacy Recordings.
The album includes 10 previously unreleased tracks spanning Prince’s four-decade career, with recordings created between 1977 and 2016. The collection is led by the new single “Stone” and also features “With This Tear,” which was released in April on the anniversary of Prince’s death.
Prince’s music has never really left the stage. Now, Purple Rain is getting one of the biggest stages in the world.
Can any Broadway production truly capture the magic Prince created with Purple Rain?
