Jordan Fisher, 32, takes Prince's role in Broadway's 'Purple Rain'

Jordan Fisher will play The Kid in Broadway’s musical adaptation of "Purple Rain," taking the role Prince portrayed in the 1984 film, the production announced Tuesday.

Fisher has never originated a Broadway role before. The show begins previews at the Majestic Theatre on March 12, 2027, with opening night on April 12.

The production said an alternate performer will take the role on Tuesday evenings and at Wednesday matinees. That performer and other cast members will be announced later, the production said.

Fisher, 32, told Billboard what the role requires of him. "Every instrument that I can play, I am playing on stage live; every dance move, every acrobatic thing that I can do, I am doing on stage in three-inch heels," he said.

He said he does not plan to simply imitate Prince. "I'm not Prince, I'm The Kid. This is a fictional story, it's not like a biography of the man," Fisher said.

The Associated Press called the role "The Boy."

Director Saheem Ali said, "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."

Fisher told Billboard that seeing Ali listed on the casting breakdown made him think, "Oh, they got it right!"

Ali joined a changed creative team after the musical’s world premiere in fall 2025 at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, Prince’s hometown. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins wrote the book for that production, which Lileana Blain-Cruz directed, and D.C.-based singer-songwriter Kris Kollins played The Kid.

For Broadway, Ali directs a new book by Peter Duchan. The reason for the creative changes was not immediately known. The transfer to Broadway was announced in July.

Other collaborators have stayed with the show. Emmy-winning choreographer Ebony Williams remains, while Bobby Z and Morris Hayes, both former Prince collaborators, serve as music advisers. Orin Wolf, a producer of "Buena Vista Social Club," is the lead producer.

The story follows The Kid’s effort to bring his band fame as he faces a turbulent past, a rival singer and a developing romance.

Fisher told Billboard that his late grandfather introduced him to Prince’s music. "The very first song of his that I ever heard was 'I Wanna Be Your Lover,' and I mean, it's in the marrow of my bones," he said.

Fisher also recalled regularly singing at a friend’s Sunday residency at the W Hotel across from the Pantages in Los Angeles. He said he missed one Sunday when Prince arrived around 1 a.m. and played a guitarist’s guitar. "It was a moment nobody will forget, and I was not there for it!" Fisher said.

He called Prince "your favorite artist's favorite artist" and "one of the best musical theater writers that never wrote a musical." Fisher told Billboard that about a month before the interview, Lin-Manuel Miranda told him, "Man, I know you're gonna kill it," as they discussed the role.

Fisher’s Broadway debut came in "Hamilton," where he played John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. His subsequent roles included the title character in "Dear Evan Hansen," Orpheus in "Hadestown," Christian in "Moulin Rouge!" and Anthony in the most recent Broadway revival of "Sweeney Todd." He won "Dancing With the Stars" and is known for "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."

The "Purple Rain" film earned an Oscar for its song score, while its soundtrack won two Grammys. Prince died in 2016.

Broadway rehearsals officially start in February, and Fisher was in the show’s second week of development when he spoke to Billboard.