(Chelsea Update would like to thank Katie Hubbard for the information in this story.)
The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) has selected an exciting lineup of plays for its 28th season: a new play by Chelsea-native and PRTC founder Jeff Daniels, two additional world premiers by Michigan and New York-based playwrights, and an American classic.
From side-splitting comedies to classic dramas, this season’s playwrights have prepared something for everyone.
Emmy award-winning actor and playwright Jeff Daniels (“Diva Royale”) has premiered 17 full-length plays at the PRTC, among them “Escanaba in da Moonlight,” “Apartment 3A,” “Across the Way” (2002 American Theatre Critics Association Best New Play Finalist), and “Guest Artist” (2006 ATCA Best New Play Runner-Up).
Carey Crim (“Never Not Once”) is the 2011 winner of the Miami City Theater’s short play competition, winner of the Jane Chambers 2017 Award, and a finalist for the 2018 Eugene O’Neill Award. Next season she will receive her fifth world premiere at the PRTC.
Her previous works include “Wake,” “Some Couples May,” and “Morning After Grace.” Arthur Miller (“All My Sons”) was a critically acclaimed American playwright in twentieth-century American theater. In addition to “All My Sons,” his other notable works include “Death of a Salesman” and “The Crucible.” Based out of New York City, Julie Marino (“Welcome to Paradise”) is an emerging playwright who also works as a freelance grant writer helping other creative artists find the support they need to keep making art.
“Diva Royale,” world premiere by Jeff Daniels
(Sept. 20 – Dec. 29)
Diva Royale follows the exploits of three midwestern stay-at-home moms who plan a last-minute trip to NYC to see their favorite star Celine Dion perform and maybe experience a bit of the romance lacking in their lives.
As soon as they get on the plane things go very wrong resulting in an evening of side-splitting hilarity. Diva Royale contains adult language and content.
“Never Not Once,” world premiere by Carey Crim
(Jan. 17 – March 16, 2019)
Eleanor, a biology major at Princeton, brings her boyfriend Rob home to meet her two moms. While there, she lets them know that she has hired a private investigator to help her find her biological father.
She says, as a scientist, she is curious about her genetics. But it’s evident she might also just want to meet her dad. Nadine, her non-biological mom thinks it’s a great idea. Allison, Eleanor’s biological mom is insisting that Eleanor’s father, a one-night stand in college whose name Allison doesn’t remember, never even knew she existed.
Eleanor is sent on a journey to an unexpected and explosive answer to the question “Where do I come from?” Never Not Once contains adult language and content.
“All My Sons,” American classic by Arthur Miller
(April 4 – June 1, 2019)
How far will a man go to protect his family and his interests? Joe Keller desperately wants to secure the business he spent so many years constructing, ready to hand it down to his son Chris.
Joe’s wife Kate is still waiting for their eldest son Larry to return from war, determined that he is alive and will marry the former girl-next-door, Ann – the daughter of Joe’s former business partner. To complicate this family drama, Chris and Ann are in love and want to get married.
All My Sons shows a post-war American family in a painful downfall of lies, greed, love, and loss.
“Welcome to Paradise,” world premiere by Julie Marino
(June 20 – Aug. 31, 2019)
Welcome to Paradise, set in the Caribbean, centers around two people who, despite their age difference, find love and acceptance in each other. With a generation gap (or more) between them, they discover they have more in common with each other than they thought.
At what age can one find one’s soulmate? Are there boundaries to true friendship and affection? What, exactly, is the meaning and nature of love?
Underwriting support for the Purple Rose 2018-2019 season comes from the Ford Motor Company Fund, The Hamp Family, Shubert Foundation and Matilda R. Wilson Fund. Media sponsors include Applied Storytelling, ChelseaMich.com, Detroit Performs, HOME.fm and Michigan Radio.
Ticket Information
Regular performances are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Special discounts are available for the first week of previews and for students, seniors, teachers, veterans/military personnel and groups.
Prices range from $23-$47.
Tickets can be purchased for groups of 12 or more starting Monday, June 25 at 10 a.m. PRTC donors of $250 or more can purchase tickets two weeks in advance of general ticket sales, which are available approximately six weeks before each show opens. Patrons can purchase tickets at the box office, by phone (734) 433-7673 or online www.purplerosetheatre.org.
The Purple Rose Theatre is located at 137 Park St., Chelsea.
