Baby, she's still a star! Almost 40 years after Prince released the original Purple rain movie and soundtrack album, the era-defining story heads to the stage — and possibly The Great White Way.
A stage adaptation of Purple rain is in development, with a world premiere in the works, according to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday (January 8). The adaptation is set to feature a score by the late Prince, with a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Braden Jacobs-Jenkins, who is currently enjoying a Broadway run of his acclaimed drama. Suitable. Jacobs-Jenkins' book will be based on the original Purple rain screenplay, which was written by Albert Magnoli (who also directed the original film) and William Blinn. Lileana Blain-Cruz — who received a 2022 Tony nomination for Best Direction of a Play (The skin of our teeth) — is set to direct, with Tony winner Orin Wolf on producing duties.
The movie version of it Purple rain arrived in 1984, starring Prince as The Kid, an up-and-coming Minneapolis rock musician who navigates rival bands, fleeting romances and a boring home life. To date, the film has grossed nearly $70 million worldwide and, in 1985, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The accompanying soundtrack of the same name was a hit, spending 24 weeks atop the Billboard 200. The set spawned several Billboard Hot 100 hits, including “When Doves Cry” (No. 1, five weeks), “Let's Go Crazy ” (No. 1, two weeks), “Take Me With U” (No. 25), “I Would Die 4 U” (No. 8) and “Purple Rain” (No. 2). Purple rain currently certified 13x platinum by the RIAA in recognition of over 13 million copies shipped in the US alone. In addition, the soundtrack won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Score for Visual Media.
“We can't think of a more fitting tribute than honoring Prince and Purple rain legacy with this stage adaptation of the beloved story,” said L. Londell McMillan, president of The NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music.. “We are thrilled with our Broadway partners and creative team bringing theatricality to the film's original fictional story. We look forward to discovering a new generation Purple rain and for fans of the original film and album to experience their power again, this time live.”
Prince has earned 20 top 10 entries on the Billboard 200, including chart toppers Around the world in one day (1985, three weeks), Batman (1989, six weeks), The Very Best of Prince (2001, one week), 3121 (2006, one week) and, of course, Purple rain. On the Hot 100, the legendary musician collected five No. 1 singles from 19 top 10 entries, including “Cream” (two weeks), “Kiss” (two weeks) and “Batdance” (one week).
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/prince-purple-rain-stage-play-broadway-1235577963/