SEPT. 26 – DEC. 22, 2024
An office Christmas party goes wrong when two employees dressed as The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer disagree over where to clap along on “Silent Night”. When a video of this non-brawl goes viral, the Internet offers our two non-violent co-workers $100,000 to stage a live stream Winner Take All Rematch between these two beloved Christmas characters.
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Written & Directed by: Jeff Daniels
Featuring: Juliana Berry*, Ryan Carlson*, Ruth Crawford*, Henrí Franklin, Paul Stroili*
Stage Managers: Bill Carlton*, Dana Gamarra*
Assistant Stage Managers: Sydney Dillen*, Jennifer Lowe*
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States
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Reviews & News:
⇒ The Detroit News – Jeff Daniels on his latest comedy play, The Purple Rose and the need for comedy (online/video)
⇒ Playbill – Jeff Daniels on How to Bring Audiences Back to the Theatre (online/article)
⇒ JTV – Ryan Carlson stars in New Jeff Daniels Comedy at Purple Rose Theatre (TV/video)
⇒ Toledo Blade – Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre centers comedy in quest to draw theatregoers (online/article)
⇒ Encore Michigan – Jeff Daniels writes new comedy, warns PRT is vulnerable to post-Covid realities (online/article)
FEB. 6 – MAR. 9, 2025
It’s weird when city girl Sienna gets a cryptic phone call about the untimely deaths of some distant family members in small-town Blissfield, Indiana. Weirder yet is the way they expect her to deliver eulogies for relatives she’s never met. But weirdest of all: Sienna goes there. Maybe she’s hoping for a big inheritance. Maybe she just really needs to get away from her dead-end life in Chicago. But what she never expected was the tumultuous and rewarding relationship that she develops with Millie, the peculiarly sunny employee of the Blissfield funeral home.
Contains adult language and subject matter.
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Directed by: Rhiannon Ragland
Featuring: Ashley Wickett*, Shonita Joshi*
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States
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APR. 3 – MAY 25, 2025
Izzy’s history buff husband Freddy had a dream: a full-scale reenactment of The Michigan-Ohio War. But when a bizarre papier-mâché accident leaves Izzy a widow, she calls on her Wolverine daughter and Buckeye son to see Freddy’s vision realized. Historical becomes hysterical in this comedy about family, football and the fight for the Toledo strip.
Contains adult language and subject matter.
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Directed by: Susan Angelo
Featuring: Teri Clark Linden*, Caitlin Cavannaugh*, Dez Walker
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States
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JUNE 20 – AUG. 31, 2025
Four pets in a veterinarian’s waiting room plan an escape when they fear that one of them has been brought in to be put down or “never come back.” A comedy about life, death, the family you choose, the family who chooses you, and what it means to truly be free.
Contains adult language and subject matter.
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Directed by: Rhiannon Ragland
Featuring: Mark Colson*, Jamie Elvey*, Maria Ru-djen*, John Seibert*, Meghan VanArsdalen*, Jonathan West*
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States
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