PURPLE RAIN Tribute Show May Be in Jeopardy Thanks to Legal Threats by Prince's Estate

The fate of upcoming U.K. tour and West End production of PURPLE RAIN, a Prince tribute show, might be in jeopardy thanks to legal threats by Prince's Estate.

While the show is being deemed as a "live musical celebration of Prince," it looks like Prince's estate never authorized the show.

"Neither Prince's family or the estate have given permission to use his name, likeness, or music catalogue for this event," Troy Carter, entertainment adviser to the estate, told the BBC in a statement. "This is a blatant attempt to deceive fans into thinking they're seeing a Purple Rain musical on the West End, when it's only a cover band playing Prince's songs. We're currently weighing our legal options and look forward to bringing the real Purple Rain to the stage in the near future."

Directed by Gary Lloyd, director of hit production Thriller Live, Purple Rain will feature a 26-strong group of supremely talented musicians, singers and dancers who will bring the late Prince's music to life for an unforgettable evening that showcases his songwriting genius and pays homage to his imagination and showmanship.

Producers, Adam Spiegel, Mark Goucher and Claire-Bridget Kenwright defended the tour, claiming, "There is no intention to deceive fans. The production will be a live music and dance celebration of an iconic artist's work."

While there is no word on the show's future as of yet, there's nothing legally wrong with performers coving Prince's music without seeking permission, as long as as long those who hole the rights to his music receive performance royalties.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!