Actor and singer Jordan Fisher has been cast in the leading role of the upcoming Broadway stage adaptation of Purple Rain, stepping into the iconic part originated by Prince in the 1984 Oscar-winning film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the production is scheduled to begin preview performances on March 12, 2027, at New York's Majestic Theatre, ahead of an official opening night on April 12, 2027.
The stage show brings one of pop music’s most celebrated film soundtracks to Broadway, marking a major career milestone for Fisher. As noted by Yahoo Entertainment, the production represents the first time the veteran stage and screen performer will originate a principal role on Broadway. While Broadway.com and The Hollywood Reporter identify Fisher's character by the classic moniker "The Kid," reporting from the Associated Press via Yahoo Entertainment refers to the leading role as "The Boy."
Stepping Into a Music Legend's Shoes
Set in 1984 Minneapolis against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding music television era, Purple Rain follows an ambitious, magnetic rock musician navigating the local club scene.
As he attempts to lead his bandmates to stardom, the frontman must contend with a turbulent home life, a rival performer, and a complicated romantic relationship, ultimately fighting to sing his way out of his personal darkness and into the spotlight.
The Broadway musical draws heavily from Prince's catalog, featuring chart-topping hits from the original movie. Audiences can expect stage arrangements of classics including "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy," "I Would Die 4 U," "Take Me with You," and the title ballad, "Purple Rain." The original 1984 film won an Academy Award for its song score, while its accompanying soundtrack secured two Grammy Awards, establishing an enduring musical legacy following Prince's death in 2016.
Director Saheem Ali praised Fisher's approach to the challenging material during early rehearsals and workshops.
"We know that Jordan Fisher is an extraordinary talent, but what’s been thrilling about watching him inhabit 'The Kid' is discovering the fire beneath the surface: the swagger, vulnerability and restless creative spirit we recognize in Prince," Ali stated in an official release. "Jordan brings all of that to the role, along with an infectious generosity that makes everyone around him better. He’s finding something raw, surprising, and deeply human in this iconic character, and I can’t wait for Broadway audiences to experience it."
Given the vocal and physical demands of the score, an alternate performer will be announced at a later date to take over the leading role during Tuesday evening and Wednesday matinee performances. Additional casting for the supporting ensemble and bandmates is also still to be announced.
Jordan Fisher’s Road to Originating a Broadway Role
Though Purple Rain marks Fisher's first time originating a Broadway lead, he is already a mainstay of the New York theater scene with an extensive resume of high-profile replacements and revivals.
He previously headlined Broadway productions as Christian in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Orpheus in Hadestown, and the title role in Dear Evan Hansen.
Fisher first made his mark on Broadway playing John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the phenomenon Hamilton, and later earned acclaim as Anthony Hope in the 2023 Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Outside of Broadway, he recently starred off-Broadway in Little Shop of Horrors and portrayed Bobby in the New York City Center Encores! production of Urinetown.
Beyond the stage, Fisher has built a broad fanbase across television and streaming platforms. His screen credits include Netflix features such as To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between, and Work It. He also appeared in network television musical events like Rent: Live! and Grease: Live!
, lent his voice to the Disney/Pixar animated film Turning Red, and won a past season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
A Revamped Creative Team from Minneapolis to New York
The road to the Majestic Theatre follows a major creative overhaul after the musical's out-of-town tryout. Purple Rain held its world premiere in Prince's hometown of Minneapolis at the State Theatre in the fall of 2025. During that initial Minnesota run, Washington, D.C.-based singer-songwriter Kris Kollins starred in the central role, working from a book by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and direction by Lileana Blain-Cruz.
For the Broadway transfer, lead producer Orin Wolf—known for producing Buena Vista Social Club—assembled a revamped leadership team. Saheem Ali, who also collaborated on Buena Vista Social Club, took over the director's chair, while Peter Duchan (Dogfight) stepped in to write a new book for the musical.
Choreographer Ebony Williams, whose credits include Sneakerella and additional choreography for Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour, remains with the production from its Minneapolis run.
To ensure musical authenticity, Prince's former bandmates and collaborators Bobby Z and Morris Hayes are serving as official music advisers on the Broadway production. Special Tony Award recipient Jason Michael Webb is handling music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations.
The physical production boasts a roster of decorated Broadway veterans. The creative team includes Tony Award winners David Zinn (scenic design), Montana Levi Blanco (costume design), Justin Townsend (lighting design), and Gareth Owen (sound design). The visual and staging presentation is rounded out by Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video and projection design), Cookie Jordan (hair and wig design), and Kyle Krueger (makeup design).
What Theatergoers Can Expect Next
With previews set to begin on March 12, 2027, Purple Rain positions itself as one of the marquee musical events of the 2026–2027 Broadway season. Its April 12 opening night places the show squarely inside the springtime eligibility window for the 2027 Tony Awards.
For fans of both Prince's Minneapolis sound and contemporary musical theater, the combination of a rewritten book, a seasoned design team, and Fisher’s proven box-office draw signals a concerted effort to translate the rock drama for a modern stage audience. Further updates regarding ticket sales, the Tuesday/Wednesday alternate, and the actresses cast in the crucial roles of Apollonia and Morris Day are expected in the coming months.