Purple Rain - Pre-Broadway Performance, State Theatre

Photo: Matthew Murphy

It feels surreal to type this but I was at the opening night of a stage adaptation of the film Purple Rain...about a block away from First Ave, the club where much of the film was shot. To be in a city where such an icon as Prince was born, raised, lived, made music, performed...and now to be able to see a new theatre piece based on his break-out album, and first film is pretty amazing. Now, have I been to pre-Broadway out-of-town try-out shows before? Yes. I saw a performance of Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews when it was workshopping here, and I also saw the Lion King before it moved to Broadway. Purple Rain feels very different from both of those. 

If you have seen the film, know that the stage show is an adaptation of the story. It is not an adaptation of the film. It takes the core story of The Kid, having his time at The First (clearly a stand-in for First Ave), while also battling the inner demons of his childhood, and the pressure of being the musician that he is, that he wants to become, how to deal with bandmates, and new love. In my perspective, the show plays that The Kid is truly still a kid. Considering that Prince was playing clubs when he was just 19 or so, it makes sense that the character of The Kid could also be that young. Kid is growing up as a person as we watch him. You will hear some, if not all, of your favorite songs from the film. You will see some of the same scenes as the film though rewritten, staged differently, yet similar enough that it is recognizable. And sometimes that can be troubling because as an audience member, it looks like Prince, it looks like Purple Rain the film...almost. That is why I say if you are expecting the film, you are not going to get it. Walk in with the idea of the film, and be open to this new multimedia work that encompases dance, film, and stage.

Photo: Matthew Murphy

The book is written by Tony and Pulitzer prize winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, with music and lyrics by Prince. It is directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz who has worked with Jacobs-Jenkins previously. The cast is very strong, for the most part. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt because it was opening night and I am certain that they have been changing and tweaking things all through previews. That can be an exhausting process. I write this because there were times where the energy was low, and other times where it had a spark of opening night energy. The majority of the musical numbers/scenes had the spark brought to it by the music of Prince. I feel that some of that spark was lost on the book scenes. There could be a variety of reasons for that, and considering this is still a show being worked on I don't think it is a reason to dismiss it. I think the show is a good solid show, great music, great cast, and the book needs some work. Not a whole lot, but the ending felt rushed and not really truthful. To be honest, the film is partially to blame for this as well. Obviously the end of the show is the song Purple Rain, which becomes an apology (like in the film) from The Kid/Prince to his friends, bandmates, and possibly his new girl. In the film it becomes evident that the apology is accepted because of the crowd reaction at First Ave. On a stage setting, it doesn't work as well. However it does lead into two of the best songs - I would die 4 U, and Baby I'm a Star. That is when the bows take place and the show ends on this high note - like the film. 

Photo: Matthew Murphy

I loved the fact that it wasn't just the music of The Revolution, but you had The Time, Vanity Six/Apollonia Six, Sheila E, Dez Dickerson, and Sheena Easton. The score is made of songs that were written by Prince, even if he didn't necessarily perform them or record them. That is a huge highlight of the show. Sadly the program did not list the songs so I'm still not sure if I recall all of them but they were great. The cast, as stated previously, is very good. There is the band to start with (who I believe are playing their own instruments, but am not certain). Doc (Bilaal Avaz), Bobby (Gían Pérez), Mark (Kondwani Phiri), Wendy (Grace Yoo), and Lisa (Emma Lenderman) make up The Revolution. Each had strong characterizations that really worked. Wendy and Lisa are more than they ever were in the film, and I love that change for the characters. Leading the Revolution is The Kid (Kris Kollins). I can't imagine what it is like taking on this role. Vocally he sounds like Prince, and he moves like him as well - though there was more sliding across the floor than I expected. There were times when he was difficult to understand, but I was also sitting off to the side of the main floor so that may be a me-issue. Apollonia (Rachel Webb) was fantastic. She owned the role, made it her own, and made it current - not stuck in the casual misogyny that is prevalent in the film (which is a product of the time, not necessarily Prince). I felt that her ending wasn't what I expected. Last we see her, she is in LA doing a screen test for a new show by Jaime Starr productions (very clever use of a Prince name), and then she is there for the curtain call. I don't recall any information about her coming back to The Kid, or planning on reuniting, so I feel like that story could be fleshed out a bit more. Naturally you also have Susan (Jaci Calderon), Brenda (Christina Jones), and Jill (Anissa Marie Greigo) who with the tutelage of Morris (Jared Howelton) and Jerome (Antonio Michael Woodard) along with the guidance of Wendy and Lisa create their own new all girl-group. These are the changes that really make the show it's own thing, and I really liked them a lot! Rounding out the cast you have Father (Leon Addison Brown), Billy (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.), and a very hard working ensemble who dance consistently through the show.

This is another aspect that I really appreciated about the work, and why I want to see it improve and grow. There is a multi-media aspect to this work. It is not just taking place in the club, or rehearsal space, or The Kid's bedroom. It also takes place in his memory (via film), and his imagination (via dance). The staging and direction bring in various techniques to involve us in The Kid's inner life. To close out, I was hesitant about the show because of the misogynistic aspects of the film, but also very curious to see how the story gets translated and changed. I think there is a really good solid show in here. The music is there, the dance is there, the use of film and live camera shots is there. The story is there but needs some tweaking in my opinion. But for those who never will have a chance to see Prince live, or to feel the excitement of him during his First Ave years - this is a good substitute. For those who want to see a good show with amazing music and dance - this is a really great option in a city full of options. You have the added bonus of seeing something that hopefully will keep getting workshopped and hit New York someday. I look forward to that day, and to seeing it return on a Broadway Tour.