The latest: Broadway finds its Prince as Jordan Fisher lands coveted starring role
NEW YORK — November 11, 2026.
In one of the most closely watched theatrical casting announcements of the decade, acclaimed actor, singer, and Broadway veteran Jordan Fisher has officially been cast as "The Kid"—the legendary role originated by Prince in the 1984 semi-autobiographical musical film Purple Rain.
Producers confirmed that the stage adaptation will inaugurate Broadway’s newly renovated Majestic Theatre, with preview performances slated to begin March 12, 2027, ahead of an official opening night gala on April 12, 2027. The production features direct sanction and creative participation from the Prince Estate and NorthStar Music, ensuring that the Minneapolis rock legend’s sonic and visual genius transitions faithfully to the Broadway stage.
Fisher, 32, whose stellar Broadway credits include standout turns in Hamilton (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Dear Evan Hansen, Sweeney Todd (Anthony Hope), and Hadestown (Orpheus), described taking on Prince's crown as both the greatest artistic privilege and the most daunting challenge of his career.
Bringing the revolutionary Minneapolis Sound to the Great White Way
The musical adaptation is helmed by Tony Award-nominated director Saheem Ali (Fat Ham), with a book adapted by Peter Duchan (Dogfight) and high-energy choreography from Ebony Williams. Grammy Award-winning musical director Jason Michael Webb oversees orchestrations and vocal arrangements.
The stage score will weave more than 20 original Prince compositions directly into the narrative, including indelible rock and funk anthems such as "Let's Go Crazy," "When Doves Cry," "I Would Die 4 U," "Baby I'm a Star," and the sweeping title track "Purple Rain," alongside select vault selections from Prince’s fertile mid-1980s catalog.
Set against the neon-lit, competitive music club culture of early 1980s Minneapolis and the famed First Avenue venue, the story tracks "The Kid," a fiercely gifted but emotionally wounded young musician wrestling with domestic trauma, creative rivalry, and explosive romance.
Why Jordan Fisher was the undeniable choice for 'The Kid'
Producers conducted a rigorous international talent search spanning over two years before offering the part to Fisher. Director Saheem Ali emphasized that the role required a rare, triple-threat virtuosity: exceptional multi-octave vocal agility, magnetic stage swagger, and extraordinary instrumental proficiency.
“To embody 'The Kid,' an actor must carry undeniable electric charisma, razor-sharp musicianship, and deep emotional vulnerability,” Ali said in an official statement. “From Jordan’s first developmental reading, his mastery of Prince’s vocal nuance and fiery guitar styling blew the room away. He honors the icon’s memory while making the character undeniably alive and urgent for a new generation.”
Fisher has been undergoing intensive guitar and movement coaching to capture Prince’s signature telecaster guitar work, high-heeled splits, and lightning-fast funk footwork that defined the 1984 film.
Majestic Theatre undergoes massive restoration for historic premiere
The arrival of Purple Rain also marks a historic milestone for Broadway real estate. The production will be the first new tenant to occupy the legendary Majestic Theatre on West 44th Street following a three-year, $50 million comprehensive historic restoration by The Shubert Organization.
The theatre, which previously housed The Phantom of the Opera for a record-shattering 35-year run until April 2023, has been upgraded with cutting-edge acoustics, expanded orchestra pit facilities, and enhanced stage mechanics specifically tailored to accommodate massive live rock concerts and immersive multimedia lighting rigs.
Industry analysts project that Purple Rain will be one of the most lucrative box office tickets of the 2026–2027 theatrical season, drawing legions of Prince disciples and contemporary musical theatre enthusiasts alike.
