Sing-A-Long to Prince's Purple Rain at MASS MoCA
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Even though it has been 25 years since Purple Rain
premiered, for most people the award-winning score is as memorable and singable now as it was the first time they heard it. For those who enjoy belting out Prince classics such as When Doves Cry, Let's Go Crazy or the film's title song Purple Rain, Thursday, August 13, will be a night not to miss under the stars at MASS MoCA. At 8:30 P.M. in Courtyard C (or moving inside in case rain threatens) this screening of Purple Rain will feature karaoke-style lyrics to help anyone who needs a refresher. Costumes are encouraged.The award-winning film and soundtrack have been critically acclaimed since the movie premiered in 1984. All Movie Guide says "[Purple Rain] is very entertaining and features an absolutely terrific musical score, one of the few to cop both an Oscar and a Grammy. Basically a fast-moving, carefully crafted music video, Purple Rain is fun...". Contact Movie Review elaborates on the "sexiness" of the film "Just try to take your eyes off the 25-year-old Prince as he flaunts his unmatchable musical talent and raw sex appeal, blasting his way through the best soundtrack of the '80s. Fast forward through the talking bits, and you've got one of the best concert DVDs ever filmed."
Purple Rain, the film, premiered in conjunction with Prince's Purple Rain album. The Minneapolis-based film develops as a fictional autobiographical look at the life of an '80s icon. The Kid (Prince) is working to make it big with his band The Revolution. Teenage angst, romantic relationships, musical rivals and self-reflection are predominant themes throughout the film. The Kid's relationship with Apollonia deepens as music rival Morris Day uses his wit to tempt her away. Reflections of his father's alcoholic behavior mesh with the teenage angst as he works to make it big in the Twin Cities.
Purple Rain Sing-A-Long is part of MASS MoCA's Thursday night film series which starts on August 6, with Iron Mule Short Comedy Film Festival and continues after Purple Rain with the Found Footage Festival on August 20, and the second Sing-A-Long film Labyrinth on August 27.
Tickets for Purple Rain Sing-A-Long are $10 (or get the fourth movie free if you buy tickets to three Thursday night movies.) MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open from 10 A.M. until 6 P.M., everyday. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org.
