We are getting a taste of the new musical stage adaptation of Prince's legendary Academy Award-winning film "Purple Rain" along with a peek at the two leads for the show.
Kris Kollins will star as "The Kid" and Rachel Webb as "Appolonia" in the world premiere - in Minneapolis - of the stage adaptation of Prince's iconic film, "Purple Rain."
The movie, of course, was shot mainly in and around Minneapolis and the also iconic First Avenue. That's just steps away from where "Purple Rain" the musical will make it's world premiere on the stage of Minneapolis' historic State Theatre.
Hennepin Arts shared a first peek of the duo signing the Prince Classic “Take Me with U” during a rehearsal at Vinegar Hill Sound in Brooklyn, New York.
Kollins is making his professional stage debut in the show. He was discovered on social media by casting director Taylor Williams and the "Purple Rain" creative team as part of a nationwide search and plays "The Kid," famously played by Prince in the film of course. Kollins is a Washington D.C.-based singer/songwriter.
Webb is a veteran of the stage, and recently starred as Juliet in the first North American tour of "& Juliet," following her appearance in the original Broadway company.
Purple Rain will play at Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre in Minneapolis from October 16 – November 16 as part of its 2025-2026 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin season.
"Purple Rain" brings to life the electrifying, fictional journey of “The Kid,” a talented but troubled young musician trying to make it in the Minneapolis club scene. As he contends with a tumultuous home life, a rival band, and an unexpected romance with an aspiring young singer, “The Kid” fights to find his voice and seize his moment in the spotlight.
"Purple Rain" is certainly one of films most greatest musicals, grossing close to $100 million worldwide and winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score. It also made Prince a household name when it was released in 1984 In 2019, the Library of Congress added the film to the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Prince and The Revolution’s soundtrack, "Purple Rain," is just as highly regarded. The album received two Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and an Academy Award. The album remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks and is certified 13x Platinum.
The musical features a story by Prince; a book by Two-time Tony Award winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, based on the original screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn; music and lyrics by Prince; choreography by Ebony Williams; and direction by Tony Award-nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz.
Tony Award Winner Jason Michael Webb is the production’s Music Supervisor and will also provide musical arrangements and orchestrations for the production. Longtime Prince music collaborators Bobby Z and Morris Hayes will serve as Prince Music Advisers.