Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute Show at Planet Hollywood

Purple Reign works because it is more than a singer in a purple jacket. Jason Tenner or Donelvan Thigpen leads a full stage production with dancers, musicians, and a Morris Day and The Time segment that gives the evening a second musical act. You get Prince’s biggest songs, familiar mannerisms, comedy, crowd interaction, and a good shot at singing along.

I like the intimate theater setting and the fact that every seating category includes a drink voucher from the box office. I also like the 70-minute running time: long enough for a proper hit parade, short enough to fit neatly before another Las Vegas plan. The main caution is sound. The band can be very loud, and some people have found the lead vocals hard to hear.

Key things to know before booking

• Prince is only half the story: The show also features Morris Day and Jerome-style comedy and music from The Time, linked to the film Purple Rain.
• Jason Tenner or Donelvan Thigpen may play Prince: Both are associated with the production, so the performer can vary by date.
• The show begins around 8:30 p.m.: Its approximate 1-hour, 10-minute length leaves your late evening open.
• All seating includes a drink voucher: Alcoholic drinks cost extra, but the voucher is part of the ticket arrangement.
• The room is intimate and participatory: You may hear song requests, see direct audience interaction, and find yourself dancing along.
• The age minimum is 16: Guests ages 16 and 17 need a parent or legal guardian, and the show includes provocative dancing and wardrobe.

A Prince tribute with a full stage, not a karaoke act

Purple Reign is built around the peak years of Prince’s career, with the music doing most of the heavy lifting. You can expect recognizable numbers such as Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, Kiss, and This Could Be Us, along with other selections from Prince’s catalog and music tied to The Time.

The central appeal is the performance style. A good Prince tribute has to cover more than vocals. It needs the posture, sly humor, guitar work, costumes, dance moves, and playful control of the room. Jason Tenner is praised for capturing Prince’s mannerisms, while Donelvan Thigpen is also named as a lead performer for the production. Since the exact performer may depend on the date, check the booking details if seeing one particular artist matters to you.

This is not intended as an exact recreation of a Prince concert. Prince himself cannot be replicated, and one uneven account specifically criticized the main performance, the sound system, and the choice of songs. I would book this as a lively tribute with its own personality, not as a perfect substitute for archival footage or a concert by Prince.

The V Theater setting inside Miracle Mile Shops

The stated venue is the V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort, at 3663 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 360. You redeem your ticket at the V Theater box office, then take your assigned seat in the category selected when you booked.

That location is useful for a Las Vegas evening. Miracle Mile Shops puts restaurants, bars, and shops close at hand, so you can eat before the show or continue elsewhere afterward without arranging a taxi or hotel transfer. The theater has a bar, and restrooms are just outside the entrance.

There is one important practical wrinkle. The supplied venue information also includes an older FAQ that places Purple Reign at the Legends in Concert theater inside the Tropicana, near the main entrance. That conflicts with the current Planet Hollywood and V Theater details. I would confirm the venue on your ticket shortly before heading out, especially if your booking materials mention Tropicana. Do not rely on an old web page or a remembered location.

What happens from arrival to the final song

The evening starts at about 8:30 p.m. You head to the box office, redeem your prepaid ticket, and enter the theater. Prebooking is useful here because it secures a date and seat category, avoids buying at the box office, and can save time in the ticket line.

The audience is seated by category. VIP tables are directly in front of the stage. Preferred seating is behind VIP, general admission is behind that, and mezzanine seating is upstairs. The available information says all seats provide good views and sound, but the physical distance still matters in a small performance room. If you care about seeing facial expressions, costumes, and guitar work up close, VIP or preferred seating makes the most sense.

Once the show begins, Prince takes the spotlight. The performance moves through familiar hits and encourages audience participation. You may be asked for a song request, and the band and singers work the room rather than simply facing forward for the entire set. That direct contact is a major part of the appeal.

The program also includes a tribute to Morris Day and The Time, whose music and personalities are closely tied to Purple Rain. This section gives the evening a change of pace. Morris Day’s swagger and comic timing, along with Jerome-inspired antics, add some old-school funk and humor between Prince numbers. Several accounts particularly praise the Morris Day portion, calling the character work charming and accurate.

The show runs about 70 minutes. Some performances may start late, so do not schedule a reservation immediately after the advertised finish. The listed start is 8:30 p.m., and the planned running time takes you to roughly 9:40 p.m., but I would allow extra breathing room if you have a strict dinner booking or another show.

The music, dancers, and crowd energy

The strongest part of Purple Reign is its energy. The live band, guitarist, backing performers, and dancers give the production a concert feel that a single impersonator could not provide. The musicians receive repeated praise for their skill, and the dancers help keep the stage moving during the larger numbers.

The room is designed for participation. You are not expected to sit quietly through a formal theater recital. You might sing along to Purple Rain, clap through Kiss, respond to the performers, or get out of your seat and dance. If you want a polished, serious biography of Prince, this is the wrong format. If you want a nostalgic night of hits with some jokes and audience contact, the setup is much more suitable.

The Morris Day segment also matters for anyone who grew up with Minneapolis funk, Purple Rain, or 1980s and 1990s music videos. It broadens the program beyond a standard greatest-hits tribute and gives fans of The Time a reason to book even if Prince is not their only interest.

Song selection can vary in how well it lands. A Prince fan specifically wished for Let’s Go Crazy, while another appreciated the ability to request songs on the spot. That tells you what kind of show this is: partly planned tribute, partly live entertainment shaped by the room.

Sound levels and other tradeoffs

The clearest practical warning is volume. The band can be very loud, and one enthusiastic audience member wished they had brought earplugs. You can still enjoy the music with ear protection, so if you are sensitive to loud sound, pack a pair. This is especially sensible for younger guests, though the minimum age is 16.

Sound balance may not be perfect at every performance. One person had trouble hearing the singer, while another criticized the sound system altogether. Most comments about the music are strongly positive, but you should expect a high-energy club-style mix rather than the controlled audio of a concert hall.

The tribute performer also cannot reproduce every part of Prince’s presence. Some praise focuses on excellent mannerisms and vocal ability, while one mixed assessment felt the singer lacked Prince’s full energy. That is a fair distinction. The show aims for resemblance, attitude, and fun. Your enjoyment will depend partly on how much you need a precise vocal and visual copy.

The costumes and dancing are provocative, which is why the age guidance is 16 and up. A 16 or 17-year-old must attend with a parent or legal guardian. For adults, this is part of the show’s Prince-inspired style rather than an incidental detail.

Is $54.19 a fair Las Vegas ticket price?

At $54.19 per person, the ticket is priced below many large Las Vegas productions and buys about 70 minutes of live music. The 9 percent live entertainment tax is included, which makes the advertised price easier to compare with other shows. You also receive a drink voucher from the box office with every seating option.

The voucher is not the same as a free alcoholic drink. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, and the ticket does not include them. Still, the included voucher adds some value, particularly if you were already planning to buy a drink before the performance.

Value depends on what you want from a night out. For a Prince fan, the combination of live band, dancers, impersonation, Morris Day, and audience interaction makes the price reasonable. For someone who only wants to hear a few songs, 70 minutes may feel short, especially if the performance begins late or if the sound mix is not to your taste.

Prebooking also has practical value. The show is commonly booked about 32 days ahead, which suggests that popular dates can fill before your trip. Booking early lets you choose your date and seating category, and it avoids a last-minute box-office line. It does not remove the need to check the exact venue and performance date.

Choosing between VIP, preferred, general, and mezzanine

VIP tables sit directly in front of the stage. Choose this category if you want the closest look at the impersonator, dancers, costumes, and musicians, and if the price difference fits your budget.

Preferred seating is directly behind VIP. It should give you a strong view while placing you slightly farther back from the loudest front-of-house impact. That can be a useful compromise if you want to see well without paying for the closest tables.

General admission is behind preferred seating. It may be the sensible pick for a budget-minded fan who mainly wants the music and atmosphere. In a relatively intimate room, being farther back does not necessarily mean losing the whole show, but you will have less visual detail than people near the stage.

Mezzanine seating is on the upper level. It can work well if you like seeing the complete stage picture, including dancers and band movement, rather than focusing on the performer’s face. The provided information says all seating options have good views and sound, but the sightline experience will naturally differ by level and location.

Every category includes the drink voucher, so the main difference is proximity and perspective rather than access to a separate program.

Who will enjoy Purple Reign most?

I would recommend this show first to Prince fans, especially people who know Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, Kiss, and The Time. Familiarity makes the small details more enjoyable, from the mannerisms to the costumes and comic stage business.

It also suits couples and friends looking for a compact evening activity. You can have dinner nearby, see the show, and still have time for the rest of your Las Vegas night. The performance’s audience participation and dancing make it a good choice for a group that wants something social rather than a quiet seated concert.

You do not need to be a serious Prince expert. The best-known songs provide an easy entry point, and the Morris Day section adds another layer of recognizable 1980s music. If you only know a few tracks, you can still follow the evening through the big choruses and stage energy.

I would be more cautious if you dislike loud rooms, provocative stage costumes, or tribute acts that take liberties with the original artist’s catalog. One negative account also objected to profanity and songs outside the expected Prince list. The tone is celebratory and playful, not restrained.

Booking, cancellation, and access in practical terms

You receive confirmation when you book. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or request changes inside that window, and you should not expect a refund.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to Planet Hollywood. The venue is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed.

Arrive with enough time to find Miracle Mile Shops and the theater box office. A long line has occurred even when the ticket process itself was straightforward. Prepaid admission helps you avoid buying a ticket at the box office, but it does not guarantee that you can walk in at the last second with no waiting.

Because the location information contains both Planet Hollywood and an older Tropicana reference, check your confirmation carefully on the day of the show. That five-minute check could prevent a very expensive wrong turn across the Strip.

Should you book Purple Reign?

Book it if you want a lively Prince party, not a museum-perfect reconstruction. The live band, guitar work, dancers, crowd requests, and Morris Day segment give the show enough variety to feel like a full night out rather than a single impersonator act.

At $54.19, the experience is a reasonable buy for fans who value live music and a short, central Las Vegas activity. I would choose preferred or VIP seating for a special occasion, bring earplugs if loud music bothers you, and leave extra time around the 8:30 p.m. start.

Skip it if you need pristine sound, a strict song list, or a performance that reproduces Prince down to every vocal nuance. For everyone else, particularly anyone who still knows every word to Purple Rain, Purple Reign offers an upbeat trip back to Prince’s era with enough personality of its own.

FAQ

Where is Purple Reign held?

The current experience information places the show at the V Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, at 3663 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 360.

Is the show at the Tropicana?

An older venue reference places Purple Reign at the Legends in Concert theater inside the Tropicana. Because this conflicts with the current Planet Hollywood and V Theater information, check your confirmation for the correct venue before leaving.

What time does the show start?

The listed start time is 8:30 p.m.

How long does Purple Reign last?

The performance lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Who performs as Prince?

The Prince role is performed by Jason Tenner or Donelvan Thigpen, depending on the performance.

Which Prince songs are included?

The show includes songs such as Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, Kiss, and This Could Be Us. Song selections can vary, and audience requests may be included.

Does the show include Morris Day and The Time?

Yes. The program includes a tribute to Morris Day and The Time, who were featured in the film Purple Rain.

Is a drink included with the ticket?

All seating options include a drink voucher from the box office. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase and are not included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 16. Anyone aged 16 or 17 must attend with a parent or legal guardian. The show includes provocative dancing and wardrobe.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.