Prince in ‘Purple Rain’.Photo: Getty Images
Purple Rainis the latest film to make the jump from the screen to the stage.
On Monday, producer Orin Wolf announced thePrince’s legendary 1984 film is being adapted into a new Broadway-bound musical.
Music and lyrics come from Prince, whose soundtrack from the film sparked hit singles “Went Doves Cry,” “Lets Go Crazy,” “I Would Die 4 U,” “Take Me with U,” and of course, “Purple Rain” (among other tracks). The album was a huge success, selling over 25 million copies worldwide, spending 24 weeks at the No. 1 spot on theBillboardcharts and winning Prince two Grammys and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.
Over the course of his career, Prince sold over 150 records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He won seven Grammys, and was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2024. His tune “Song of the Heart” from the filmHappy Feetearned him a Golden Globe in 2006.
The late musician, whodied on April 21, 2016 at the age of 57from afentanyl overdose, would return to the silver screen in 1986’sUnder the Cherry Moon,which also marked his directorial debut. His third and final major theatrical role was 1990’sGraffiti Bridge,the standalone sequel toPurple Rain.He wrote and directed the film, too.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time Wolf has produced a stage adaptation of a popular movie. He helped produce the Broadway productions of 2012’sOnceand 2017’sThe Band’s Visit,both of which won the industry’s coveted best musical Tony award. The theatrical producer was also behind the 2013 musical version of the documentaryHands on a Hardbody,as well as the hit 2014 musicalBeautiful: The Carole King Storyandthe acclaimed 2018 playTo Kill a Mockingbird(among others).
“We are thrilled with our Broadway partners and creative team, who are bringing a theatricality to the film’s original fictional story. We can’t wait for a new generation to discoverPurple Rainand for lovers of the original film and album to experience its power once again, this time live.”
source: people.com
