By: koalafriend
OMG Purple Rain Musical Premiere Lights Up Minneapolis And Yes They Did THAT Lake Minnetonka Scene
Hold onto your raspberry berets because Minneapolis just became the absolute center of the universe! The world premiere of the Purple Rain stage musical just exploded onto the stage at the legendary State Theater and honey we are still recovering. For the 40th anniversary of the iconic film this is not just a tribute it is a full blown rock and roll resurrection and we have all the sizzling details.
The purple carpet was rolled out and the energy on Hennepin Avenue was absolutely electric. You could feel the legacy of Prince in the air. Everyone who is anyone in the Twin Cities was there decked out in their best purple velvet lace and leather. We are talking a full on fashion moment. This was THE ticket to get and the anticipation inside the theater was so thick you could cut it with a guitar pick.
From the moment the first power chord hit the audience knew they were in for something special. The live band is no joke. They are not just playing the music they are channeling the very soul of The Revolution. The actor playing The Kid the rising star Jaxon Royal has the brooding charisma down to a science. He has the look the moves and a voice that could make a dove cry. Seriously every guitar solo was a face melting journey back to 1984 and the crowd went absolutely wild for classics like Lets Go Crazy and When Doves Cry.
But lets get to the tea we are all here for. Apollonia.
Can we talk about Seraphina Cruz the actress brave enough to step into those iconic thigh high boots? She is not just playing Apollonia she IS Apollonia. The chemistry between her and Jaxon Royal was so hot it nearly set off the fire alarms. It was pure unadulterated sizzle. The musical did not shy away from the provocative energy of Apollonia 6 either. The performance of Sex Shooter was a masterclass in fierce and unapologetic stage presence. The choreography the costumes the attitude it was everything you wanted it to be and more. It was a scandalous and sensational highlight that paid perfect tribute to one of the most iconic girl groups of the era.
And then it happened. The scene. The one everyone was whispering about. How would they possibly pull off the infamous motorcycle ride and the Lake Minnetonka moment on a stage?
Well they did it and it was theatrical genius.
Using a stunning combination of a real vintage motorcycle clever stage mechanics and jaw dropping digital projections the entire State Theater was transported to the shores of that iconic Minnesota lake. When The Kid told Apollonia to purify herself in the waters you could hear the entire audience gasp. Seraphina Cruz’s performance in this pivotal scene was vulnerable powerful and completely captivating. It was handled with an artistic flair that was both respectful of the original film and shockingly effective in a live setting. It was the moment that proved this Purple Rain musical is more than just a jukebox show it is a true piece of dramatic theater.
This stage adaptation is a love letter to Prince to Minneapolis and to an era of music that broke all the rules. It captures the raw passion the ambition and the sheer rock and roll spectacle of the film while giving it a fresh and thrilling new life. The story of a young artist trying to make his way in the world while battling his own demons feels just as relevant today as it did 40 years ago.
The word on the street is that Broadway producers were in the audience and we can totally see why. This show has legs. We predict the Purple Rain musical is going to be the next global phenomenon. It is an electrifying experience that will have you dancing in the aisles and singing all the way home.
So what do U think? Are you ready to get purified in the musical waters of Lake Minnetonka? This Minneapolis premiere is just the beginning and we are so here for the ride.
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