Kris Kollins and Rachel Webb have been announced to star in the pre-Broadway world premiere of “Purple Rain.” The musical, which was originally announced to bow in April 2025, will now begin previews on Oct. 16 and open on Nov. 5 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre in Minneapolis. “Purple Rain,” which is based on the 1984 film of the same name, features music, lyrics and a story by Prince. The musical is scheduled to play a limited engagement through Nov. 16.
Singer-songwriter Kollins, who will play the role of the Kid, was discovered for “Purple Rain” on social media, and recently released his first EP, “Pistachio.” Two of his singles, “GSAW” and “River,” can be heard in Paramount+’s “Noah’s Arc: The Movie.” “Purple Rain” will mark Kollins’ professional stage debut.
Webb, who will take on the role of Apollonia, played featured roles in Broadway’s “& Juliet” and then originated the title role in the production’s national tour. Webb was also featured as a guest singer in Kristin Chenoweth’s tour “For the Girls.”
“The question asked of me the most since I began working on “Purple Rain” has consistently been, ‘Who’s playing the Kid?!,’” said “Purple Rain” book writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins in a statement. “And I’m so thrilled to finally be able to scream from the mountaintops, ‘Kris Kollins!’ From our first encounter with his original music and socials, we were absolutely floored by Kris’s gifts — his musicianship, his voice, his magnetism. Kris is the real deal, and we can’t wait for audiences to see him bring the Kid to life.”
“When Rachel Webb walked into auditions for an early reading several years ago, she really blew us away,” added director Lileana Blain-Cruz. “She is a stunning presence with an incredible voice, who inspired us to really reimagine what was possible for the role of Apollonia. This casting has been one of the unique joys of developing the stage adaptation of ‘Purple Rain’ with Branden.”
Also newly announced for “Purple Rain” is choreographer Ebony Williams, and a design team that includes Tony Award-winning scenic designer David Zinn, Tony-winning costume designer Montana Levi Blanco, Tony-nominated lighting designer Yi Zhao, Tony-nominated sound designer Palmer Hefferan, video and projection designers Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom and hair/wig designer Cookie Jordan. Amanda Spooner will serve as production stage manager.
“Purple Rain” is being produced by Orin Wolf.
To coincide with the casting announcement, the production has released a first-look rehearsal video of Kollins and Webb performing “Take Me With U.”
