The much-anticipated answer to who will portray the iconic leading roles of The Kid and Apollonia in the pre-Broadway world premiere of “Purple Rain” has finally been revealed—get to know the rising theater stars before you meet them face-to-face on the State Theatre stage in October.
Meet the Stars
Making his debut professional stage performance, emerging musician and songwriter Kris Kollins will step into the role of The Kid. Kollins was discovered through a nationwide talent search, catching the creative team’s attention with his original music and online presence. The Washington, D.C.–based artist released his debut EP “Pistachio” last year, with his single “GSAW” featured in “Noah’s Arc: The Movie” on Paramount+.
Broadway alum Rachel Webb will take on the role of Apollonia. Webb recently starred as Juliet in the first North American tour of “& Juliet,” after originating the role on Broadway. The Texas native has toured with Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth in “For the Girls,” performed alongside Jennifer Holliday, and appeared at the Riverfront Jazz Festival.
Writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins says fans have been asking the same question from day one: Who will be playing The Kid? Jacobs-Jenkins believes audiences will be more than satisfied with the final decision.
“From our first encounter with Kris’s music, we were floored by his voice, his musicianship, and his magnetism,” he said in a prepared statement. “There are probably no bigger shoes to fill in the theater right now—and Kris is the real deal.”
Director Lileana Blain-Cruz shares the same excitement about Webb. “Rachel blew us away from the moment she walked into auditions,” she says. “She’s a stunning presence with an incredible voice, and she’s helped us reimagine what’s possible for Apollonia.”
A Minneapolis Story Comes Home
Opening Oct. 16 at the historic State Theatre, “Purple Rain” will immerse audiences in the high-energy, emotionally charged world of the Minneapolis club scene. The story will follow Kollins as The Kid, a gifted but troubled musician chasing success while navigating a difficult home life, a rival band, and an unexpected romance.
The stage version draws from Prince’s original story and music, with a book by two-time Tony Award winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient Jacobs-Jenkins, based on the 1984 screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn. Direction comes from Tony Award nominee Blain-Cruz, with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Tony winner Jason Michael Webb. Prince collaborators Bobby Z and Morris Hayes are serving as music advisers.
If You Go
“Purple Rain” runs Oct. 16–Nov. 23, 2025, as part of Hennepin Arts’ Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin season. Tickets are available now at hennepinarts.org.
You can also watch a first-look rehearsal clip of Kollins and Webb performing “Take Me With U” here.
