Child, he’s nonetheless a star! Practically 40 years after Prince unleashed the unique Purple Rain movie and soundtrack album, the era-defining story is headed to the stage — and presumably The Nice White Manner.
A stage adaptation of Purple Rain is beneath improvement, with a world premiere within the works, as per The Hollywood Reporter on Monday (Jan. 8). The difference is ready to characteristic a rating by the late Prince, with a e book by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who’s at the moment having fun with the Broadway run of his acclaimed drama Acceptable. Jacobs-Jenkins’ e book shall be based mostly on the unique Purple Rain screenplay, which was written by Albert Magnoli (who additionally directed the unique movie) and William Blinn. Lileana Blain-Cruz — who picked up a Tony nomination in 2022 for greatest path of a play (The Pores and skin of Our Enamel) — is ready to direct, with Tony winner Orin Wolf on manufacturing duties.
The movie model of Purple Rain arrived in 1984, starring Prince as The Child, a burgeoning Minneapolis rock musician who trudges his means by rival bands, fleeting romances, and a gritty residence life. So far, the movie has grossed practically $70 million worldwide, and, in 1985, it received the Academy Award for greatest unique tune rating.
The accompanying soundtrack of the identical identify was a blockbuster success, spending 24 weeks atop the Billboard 200. The set spawned a number of Billboard Sizzling 100 hits, together with “When Doves Cry” (No. 1, 5 weeks), “Let’s Go Loopy” (No. 1, two weeks), “Take Me With U” (No. 25), “I Would Die 4 U” (No. 8) and “Purple Rain” (No. 2). Purple Rain at the moment boasts a 13x platinum certification from the RIAA in recognition of over 13 million copies shipped within the U.S. alone. As well as, the soundtrack received a Grammy for greatest rock efficiency by a duo or group with vocal and greatest rating soundtrack for visible media.
“We are able to’t consider a extra becoming tribute than to honor Prince and the Purple Rain legacy with this stage adaptation of the beloved story,” stated L. Londell McMillan, chairman of The NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, founder and CEO of Major Wave Music. “We’re thrilled with our Broadway companions and inventive crew, who’re bringing a theatricality to the movie’s unique fictional story. We are able to’t look forward to a brand new era to find Purple Rain and for lovers of the unique movie and album to expertise its energy as soon as once more, this time stay.”
Prince earned 20 prime 10 entries on the Billboard 200, together with the chart-toppers Across the World In A Day (1985, three weeks), Batman (1989, six weeks), The Very Better of Prince (2001, one week), 3121 (2006, one week), and, in fact, Purple Rain. On the Sizzling 100, the legendary musician collected 5 No. 1 singles from 19 prime 10 entries, together with “Cream” (two weeks), “Kiss” (two weeks) and “Batdance” (one week).
