The Purple Rose Theatre Company’s (PRTC) 5th Annual Backyard BBQ raised nearly $250,000, double its previous record, to support the theatre’s 26th season and its apprentice program. DTE Energy Foundation was the presenting sponsor.

The event featured a special performance directed by Guy Sanville, PRTC Artistic Director, which highlighted next season’s plays, which include three world premieres written by Michigan-based playwrights Jeff Daniels, David MacGregor and Jeff Duncan.Hosted at the Chelsea Fairgrounds on July 23, the BBQ was attended by 300 patrons. The grand auction item, a 75-minute private concert by Jeff Daniels, sold to two separate bidders for $40,000 each. The Herrick Foundation matched the first $40,000 resulting in a yield of $120,000.

Auctioneers were Jim Brandstatter, Detroit Lions color analyst and University of Michigan play-by-play man, and his wife Robbie Timmons, former WXYZ-TV Detroit news anchor and author. Other auction items included a Broadway Show package, a week’s stay in a luxury apartment in Paris, wine-country getaways, a Stephen Colbert Emmy Awards Experience and a Zulu Nyala African Photo Safari.

“We are thrilled by the turnout and results of the BBQ," said PRTC Managing Director Katie Hubbard. “This fundraising effort and its tremendous outcome is something that our patrons, sponsors, auction contributors, volunteers, staff, and board should be so proud of.”

In addition to DTE Energy Foundation, other sponsors included Jim and Debbie Beuche; Chelsea Rhone LLC; “JIFFY” Mix; Chemical Bank; Legacy Assisted Living; Shinola Detroit; Varsity Automotive Group and Lincoln; Domino’s Pizza; Encompass Financial Partners/AssetMark Inc.; Daniel Moons and Antoinette Pilzner; Spring Arbor University; A. R. Brouwer Company; American 1 Credit Union; Chelsea State Bank; Jeff and Barbara Duncan; Keith and Krista Smillie; Rick Taylor Real Estate; and Thrivent Financial.

Special thanks given to Lloyd Ganton (for an exhibition of period classic automobiles), Chelsea Comfort Inn & Village Conference Center, UTEC, Chelsea Alehouse, LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, PrintTech, ULitho, and Foresight Group printers.