Purple Rain announces complete cast for world premiere engagement at the historic State Theatre in Minneapolis
Runs Thursday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT HENNEPINARTS.ORG/PURPLERAIN
MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 21, 2025) — Producer Orin Wolf is pleased to announce the complete cast for the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN, coming to the historic State Theatre (805 Hennepin Ave.) Thursday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Nov. 16 as the final show in the 2024-2025 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin season. Tickets are on sale now at HennepinArts.org.
Joining the previously announced stars KRIS KOLLINS, who is making his professional stage debut in the lead role of The Kid, and RACHEL WEBB, who will co-star as Apollonia, are BILAAL AVAZ as Doc, LEON ADDISON BROWN as Father, JACI CALDERON as Susan, LAWRENCE GILLIARD, JR. as Billy Sparks, ANISSA GRIEGO as Jill, JARED HOWELTON as Morris, CHRISTINA JONES as Brenda, EMMA LENDERMAN as Lisa, GÍAN PÉREZ as Bobby, KONDWANI PHIRI as Mark, ANTONIO MICHAEL WOODARD as Jerome,and GRACE YOO as Wendy.
The production’s ensemble will include SOLYMAR BAXTER, CHRISTIAN BURSE, JOJO CARMICHAEL, ADANTE CARTER, TRAJAN CLAYTON, JD JOHNATHON DARCELLE, CHASE MAXWELL, PELI NAOMI WOODS, CHRISTINE SHEPARD, DION SIMMONS GRIER, JAKE TRIBUS and SABRINA VICTOR.JASON KORN will be The Kid alternate, playing the role at performances to be determined.
The world premiere musical adaptation, PURPLE RAIN, brings to life the electrifying, fictional journey of The Kid, a talented but troubled young musician trying to make it in the Minneapolis club scene. As he contends with a tumultuous home life, a rival band, and an unexpected romance with an aspiring young singer, “The Kid” fights to find his voice and seize his moment in the spotlight.
The musical features a story by Prince; a book by Two-time Tony Award winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, based on the original screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn; music and lyrics by Prince; choreography by Ebony Williams; and direction by Tony Award-nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz. Tony Award Winner Jason Michael Webb is the production’s Music Supervisor and will also provide musical arrangements and orchestrations for the production.
PURPLE RAIN will feature scenic design by Tony Award-winner David Zinn; video & projection design by Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom; costume design by Montana Levi Blanco; lighting design by Yi Zhao; sound design by Palmer Hefferan; hair and wig design by Cookie Jordan; and makeup design by Kyle Krueger. The production’s Casting Director is Taylor Williams and the Production Stage Manager is Amanda Spooner.
Bobby Z and Morris Hayes, both of whom worked with Prince for years as bandmates and musical collaborators, will serve the production as Music Advisers.
ABOUT PURPLE RAIN Released in July 1984 by Warner Bros, the film PURPLE RAIN was originated by Prince, directed by Albert Magnoli and written by Magnoli and William Blinn. It was Prince’s film debut.
PURPLE RAIN is a cultural phenomenon, widely regarded as one of the greatest musical films ever made, grossing close to $100 million worldwide and winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score. In 2019, the Library of Congress added the film to the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Prince and The Revolution’s iconic soundtrack, PURPLE RAIN, was released in June 1984. The album received two Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. The album remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks. The album is certified 13x Platinum by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) and has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.
For more information, please visit https://purplerainbroadway.com/
BIOGRAPHIES KRIS KOLLINS (The Kid) is honored to be making his professional acting debut with the company of Purple Rain. He will also soon be heard on season 2 of MAX’s Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake. Kris is a multi-hyphenate artist who last year released his EP, “Pistachio.” His singles “GSAW” and “River” can be heard in Paramount+’s Noah’s Arc: The Movie, which celebrates the beloved and iconic series’ 20th Anniversary. He is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music @ikriskollins
RACHEL WEBB (Apollonia) is a multi-hyphenate actress and powerhouse vocalist, best known for starring as Juliet in the first North American tour of & Juliet, following her appearance in the original Broadway company. She also toured alongside Kristin Chenoweth in For the Girls, under the music direction of Mary-Mitchell Campbell. A proud Texas native, Rachel’s roots are in De Soto and Dallas, where she got her start performing at venues like the Meyerson Symphony Center and with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL). She first took the stage professionally in Hip Hop Broadway: A Musical Revue, sharing a lineup with original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday, and later opened for headliners at the Riverfront Jazz Festival in back-to-back seasons. Influenced by legends like Prince, Whitney Houston, and Chaka Khan, Rachel brings soul and power to every performance. Before earning her BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas State University, she was a medalist in the NAACP ACT-SO (2015, 2016) and YoungArts (2017) competitions. Follow her on Instagram @rachelsimwebb, TikTok @rachelsimonewebb, and at www.rachelswebb.com.
BILAAL AVAZ (Doc) is thrilled to be joining the company of Purple Rain for its world premiere. Recent acting credits include “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Girls5Eva,” and “Bhangin’ it.” He was also a finalist on Season 18 of “American Idol.” Coming from a music background makes it that much more exciting to tell the story of real musicians! Bilaal is a full-time music artist who develops bodies of work exploring the intersection of cinema and music. He has a BFA in Acting from NYU: Tisch School of the Arts and is currently creative director of a music production house. Bilaal would like to thank his family and parents for supporting his dream through impossible odds when nobody else would. You can follow his story on all social media platforms: @bilaalavaz. Bilaal is represented by Rebel Creative Group and Take 3 Talent Agency.
LEON ADDISON BROWN (Father). Broadway: Misery, The Trip to Bountiful. Off-Broadway: Master Harold…and the Boys, The Train Driver, The Orphans’ Home Cycle, Soft, The Swamp Dwellers. TV/Film: Atrabilious, Paris is in Harlem, “The Knick,” “Chicago Med,” “Law&Order,” “New Amsterdam,” “American Rust.” Awards & nominations: Drama Desk, Connecticut Critics Circle, Drama League, AUDELCO, Lucille Lortel.
JACI CALDERON (Susan) a proud Mexican-American born and raised in a small town in Idaho, is honored and so excited to be joining the cast of Purple Rain! TV Credits include: “Law & Order” (Guest Star), “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (Guest Star), “Law & Order SVU” (Guest Star) and “Nashville 9-1-1” (Guest Star). She wants to send a special thanks to her family, friends, her team at CESD and her manager Julia Watkinson at Vision Entertainment.
LAWRENCE GILLIARD, JR. (Billy Sparks) is a television, film, and theatre actor best known for his portrayal of D’Angelo Barksdale in HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire, Bob Stookey on AMC’s juggernaut The Walking Dead, and as Derrick Wallace, the lovable kicker in Adam Sandler’s box office hit Waterboy! He also appeared as a series regular in HBO’s The Deuce, created by David Simon and George Pelecanos. On television, his credits include recurring and guest-starring roles on Power Book III, Chicago P.D., That Damn Michael Che, Bull, God Friended Me, Graceland, Elementary, Longmire, Army Wives, Southland, Lie to Me, Detroit 187, Friday Night Lights, The Beast, Numb3rs, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, CSI: NY, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Law & Order. He also appeared in the miniseries Monticello and in television movies including Surviving the Night, Inflammable, and George. Gilliard made his feature film debut in the lead role of Dennis Brown in Straight Out of Brooklyn and has since appeared in a wide range of studio and independent films. His credits include Big George Foreman, One Night in Miami, The Machinist, Gangs of New York, The Waterboy, Next Stop Wonderland, Lotto Land, Cecil B. Demented, Brother to Brother, Kill the Poor, Walk of Shame, Hot Air, Would You Rather, Pep, and No Limits. A classically trained stage actor, Gilliard has performed in productions at The Atlantic Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Long Wharf Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, and the Mark Taper Forum, where he earned a Beverly Hills NAACP Award for Best Ensemble in Topdog/Underdog. His additional theatre work includes The Penitent, Blue Door, Abstract Expression, Zooman and the Sign, and Police Boys. Gilliard trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory, The Acting Studio, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Juilliard, and the Baltimore School for the Arts.
ANISSA GRIEGO (Jill): Indian Princesses (La Jolla Playhouse), Ainadamar (The Metropolitan Opera), 1776: First National Tour (Networks), West Side Story (Houston Grand Opera). All my love to the DGRW squad, Brian, Amanda, Mom, Dad, Mia, and Elise. @anissagriego
JARED HOWELTON (Morris). Broadway: Hamilton (Principal Standby). Broadway Tours: Hamilton Angelica (Lafayette/Jefferson), Hamilton Philip (Lafayette/Jefferson), Motown the Musical (Featured). International Tour: Shrek the Musical (Donkey). Off-Broadway: Urinetown the Musical (Bobby Strong). Regional: Utah Shakespeare Festival (2014 Acting Company), TUTS production of Memphis the Musical (Wailin’ Joe). He is not able to do this without the love and support of his family, agents at Clear Talent Group and manager Michele Largé. Praise God! IG: @jhowelsmiles
CHRISTINA JONES (Brenda) is a dynamic Broadway Performer, Musician, Songwriter, and Voice Over Artist. Broadway: The Wiz (Ensemble, Dorothy u/s). Off Broadway: Goddess (Public Theatre. Ensemble, u/s Nadira, Cheche, Zawadi). Select Regional: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlayne Woodard) with Speakeasy Stage Company, and The Rocky Horror Show (Janet Weiss) with Moonbox Productions. Special thanks to Brian Herrick with The Hell's Kitchen Agency, my team, and my loved ones; thank you for believing in me! Find more info about her latest single, “Old News”, and more of her music on her website: christinajonesofficial.com IG: @christinajonesofficial
JASON KORN (The Kid Alternate) is an accomplished actor and singer originally from Auburn, California, and currently based in New York City. A recent graduate of Emerson College, Jason has gained experience through various film and theatre projects. Purple Rain will be Jason's debut professional show out of college, and he is so excited to bring this captivating story to life. Jason thanks the amazing production team and his family and friends for all of their love and support.
EMMA LENDERMAN (Lisa) is a Brooklyn-based actor and writer. Previous credits include “Law & Order: SVU,” The Wolves (Philadelphia Theatre Company), and A Doll's House, Part 2 (North Carolina Stage Company). BFA musical theatre, Texas State University.
GÍAN PÉREZ (Bobby) just wrapped Lena Dunham’s upcoming Netflix feature, “Good Sex,” opposite Natalie Portman. He previously starred as 'Paris/Samson/Peter' in Sam Gold’s Romeo + Juliet on Broadway opposite Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor. He has also worked at The Public, NYTW, and Roundabout Theatre Company. He made his TV debut on CBS’s “East New York.” Gían is also a musician and has played and recorded music with artists like Marc Edwards, Elliott Sharp, Brandon Lopez, and his post-punk band, Office Hours. Their EP ‘Chino Latino’ is available for streaming everywhere.
KONDWANI PHIRI (Mark), born in Zambia and raised in East Lansing, MI, brings his talents to the role of Mark in Purple Rain. He is known for his work in the multiple Emmy Award-winning Netflix series BEEF, Paramount’s 1923, Showtime’s American Gigolo, HBO’s Insecure, ABC’s The Rookie, and FOX’s 9-1-1. He is dedicated to amplifying African voices and stories in Western media and is represented by Daniel Hoff Agency and Rothman Andrés Entertainment.
ANTONIO MICHAEL WOODARD (Jerome).Theatre: A Human Being, Of A Sort (Williamstown, opposite Andre Braugher), The Till Trilogy (Mosaic Theater Co.), Need Your Love (Cincinnati Playhouse), The Amen Corner (Shakespeare Theatre Co. D.C.), Macbeth (Classic Stage Co.). Television: “Evil” (CBS). Film: Cottonmouth.
GRACE YOO (Wendy). she/her. Broadway: Hadestown. Regional: Soft Power (Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes Award), Into the Woods (LA Phil/Hollywood Bowl), Mamma Mia (East West Players). Tour: A Christmas Carol, Todd Rundgren (Fuji Rock Festival, Clearly Human and White Knight album tour). Rep: Aperture Talent.
SOLYMAR BAXTER (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her professional debut in this production. She is a recent graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her as well as all of the arts educators who helped her get here. A special thank you to her agents at Henderson Hogan for pushing her to strive for more.
CHRISTIAN BURSE (Ensemble) was born in Austin, Texas where she began her dance journey at the age of two years old. She completed her early dance training at Joyce Willet and RISE Dance Company where she received a diverse dance education. She continued her dance training at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas and Dance Industry Performing Arts Center. She was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar Finalist, National YoungArts Foundation winner and a Texas Young Master. Christian was offered an apprentice position with her dream professional dance company, Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She relocated to New York to train and travel the world with the company all while completing her senior year of high-school at 17 years old. To date she has performed across the U.S. and internationally in Israel, Germany and Europe as a Full Company Member of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She is also in the Amazon Prime Video Series Étoile.
JOJO CARMICHAEL (Ensemble), a native of Dothan, AL, is a New York based dancer. She is a Pace University alumna, class of 2022, with a BFA in commercial dance and a minor in arts and entertainment management. In 2021, JoJo kicked off her professional dance career performing at the 2021 MET GALA. Since then some of JoJo’s credits include: Radio City Rockette, The Devil Wears Prada, and MJ: The Musical 1st National Tour as dance captain and swing. JoJo made her Broadway debut in MJ: the Musical and film debut in the Hallmark Christmas movie, A Holiday Spectacular.
ADANTE CARTER (Ensemble) (he/him): Black Hills native. Credits: Mean Girls (1st Nat’l Tour), Here We Are (The Shed), Next to Normal (Barrington), Fun Home (Studio Theatre DC), HAIR (Serenbe). BFA Musical Theatre, AMDA. Many thanks to Nicolosi, Taylor Williams, and this brilliant creative team. Much love to those who love and lift me up.
TRAJAN CLAYTON (Ensemble). Born and raised in rural Georgia, Trajan has been acting (a fool) ever since he discovered the gift of laughter. He would like to thank his family for being the wind beneath his wings. It truly does take a village!
JD JOHNATHON DARCELLE (Ensemble) started his training at the age of 15 at Chicago High School for The Arts. He then furthered his training at the San Francisco Ballet School. Upon graduation, he danced with BalletMet for 3 seasons. While furthering his ballet career, he had the opportunity to go on tour with Lil Kim and Anita Baker. He’s also done other work from commercials with Anthropologie, TV shows like “Squid Games,” NBC's “Motown Christmas Special,” “Etoilé” & a Tyler Perry film called OTRA. He's done performances with Hermès Fashion , Lyric Opera Chicago, The SugarHill Nutcracker, Brooklyn Ballet Nutcracker and Debbie Allen's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. He's also guested with companies Odyssey Dance Theatre & Body Traffic.
CHASE MAXWELL (Ensemble). Since Chase Maxwell was raised in Los Angeles he has graced stages all over the world. With the support of his family he was able to start working professionally as a child. Chase has been lucky enough to be mentored throughout his life by the legendary Debbie Allen and iconic Baayork Lee. Credits include Wicked (Broadway), SNL, Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, OSF, Jennifer Hudson, Yoshimoto-Kyogo, Doja Cat and Tokyo BDC. He most recently performed in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Chase is extremely grateful and excited to be a part of Purple Rain. Special thanks to CESD.
PELI NAOMI WOODS (Ensemble). Proud Oakland native! Broadway: Elf (Ensemble); Off Broadway: Drag: The Musical (Ensemble/Dixie Coxworth u/s); Tour: Frozen (Ensemble/Bulda u/s); Regional: The Little Mermaid (Ensemble) at Paper Mill Playhouse. All love to family & friends for their unwavering support! @peli_woods
CHRISTINE SHEPARD (Ensemble) is a multifaceted artist based in New York. Her performance career spans from live theater (Mean Girls on Broadway, Drag the Musical off-Broadway) to camera work (Ariana Grande "Yes And" music video). When she's not performing or creating art of her own, she's teaching at Stella Adler's musical theater intensives and hosting community dance classes. She sends a special thanks to Clear Talent Group, her supportive family and Ebony Williams for this opportunity. IG: @chrisnshep. https://www.chrisnshep.com/.
DION SIMMONS GRIER (Ensemble). Previous roles: Max in Stardust Road Off-Broadway (York Theatre), Man 2 in World Goes Round at FST, Nicely Nicely in Guys & Dolls at Theater Aspen & Audrey II (voice) in Little Shop of Horrors at TUTS. Also, Goodspeed Opera House & PaperMill Playhouse. God is good! @DionSimmons_"
JAKE TRIBUS (Ensemble) is honored to be part of this production of Purple Rain. Jake is a 2020 graduate of USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance under the direction of Jodie Gates, as well as a recipient of a 2022 Princess Grace Award in Dance. His commercial credits include film, television, music videos and on-stage performances with Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Lorde, Backstreet Boys, and Janet Jackson, The Late Late Show with James Corden and Billy Porter, The Emmys, Carolina Herrera (Stephan Galloway), and PBS (James Whiteside). His concert dance credits include Gibney Dance Company (Alan Lucien Oyen, Ohad Naharin, Sharon Eyal, Yin Yue, Rena Butler, and Johan Inger), and performances with Sonya Tayeh, William Forsythe, Aszure Barton, Twyla Tharp, Akira Uchida, and Micaela Taylor. Jake is extremely grateful for this experience, and thanks his mentors, friends, and family for their support and guidance. @jake.tribus
SABRINA VICTOR (Ensemble) is a graduate of Columbia University’s prestigious MFA program. Prior to receiving her masters, Sabrina appeared in American Repertory Theatre’s pre-Broadway production of 1776 and in The Donkey Show, both directed by Tony Award Winner Diane Paulus. She also workshopped Sean’s Story at Ars Nova with director Khiyon Hursey. She recently concluded her off-Broadway debut understudying both female roles in the Public Theatre’s production of James Ijames’s Good Bones, directed by Saheem Ali and starring Susan Kelechi Watson, as well as in BAM’s transfer of Macbeth in Stride, created by Whitney White.
Hennepin Arts drives cultural and economic vitality in Minnesota through leadership of the dynamic Hennepin Theatre District in downtown Minneapolis and educational programming that reaches every area of the state. Its historic theatres — Orpheum, State, Pantages and Dudley Riggs — and event center at 900 Hennepin Avenue light up Hennepin Avenue with top-tier entertainment, including the best of Broadway and a wide variety of arts programming. Hennepin Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at HennepinArts.org.
Bank of America Environmental, Social and Governance At Bank of America, our focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors is critical to fulfilling our purpose of helping make people’s financial lives better. Our commitment to growing our business responsibly is embedded in every aspect of our company. It is demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our customers, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocate groups, such as community and environmental organizations, in order to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about, and connect with us on Twitter at @BofA_News.
Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office, and Broadway Brands. Led by 25-time Tony Award winner John Gore (Owner & CEO), Broadway Across America pioneered the Broadway subscription touring model and is a leading presenter of the first-class productions across more than 45 North American markets. Since inception, Broadway Across America has produced and/or invested in hundreds of Broadway, touring Broadway, and international productions that have won countless Tony awards and introduced millions of fans to the power of live theater.
This activity is made possible by voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.