From Screen to Stage: New ‘Purple Rain’ Musical Debuts in Minnesota, 2025

According to Variety, the new musical will be based on the original screenplay written by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn and will be directed by Tony Award nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz. The musical will also get an accompanying book that will be written by Pulitzer finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

According to the New York Times, most musicals open Off-Broadway or outside of New York, and that will be the case with this musical adaptation of Prince's iconic album and movie that are both Minnesota made, so it is appropriate that the Pre-Broadway world premiere of 'Purple Rain' will be in Minneapolis.

The new musical will debut at the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s historic State Theatre just blocks away from First Avenue, the iconic venue in Downtown Minneapolis where a large portion of 'Purple Rain' is set. The musical is set to open in the spring of 2025 and will be part of the 2024-2025 season.

 L. Londell McMillan, former Prince manager, attorney and Chairman of The NorthStar Group said in a press release, "Prince talked about adapting ‘Purple Rain’ for the stage for years. It’s only fitting that we launch this world premiere musical version in the city where it all began, Prince’s hometown, Minneapolis."

Tickets for the 2024-2025 season will be available soon, for the best chance to score some tickets, you can sign up for waitlist here.

'Purple Rain' was released in 1984 and was filmed in Minnesota, it went on to make over $70 million at the box office, and the soundtrack for the film which includes hits like Let's Go Crazy, I Would Die For You and the title track Purple Rain spent 24 weeks on top of the Billboard Top 200 list and was Prince's first number one album.