CHELSEA — The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) has selected an exciting lineup of plays for its 34th season, featuring a Michigan Premiere and three World Premiere productions. PRTC Founder and Artistic Director, Jeff Daniels, to open the season this September with a wacky World Premiere comedy that includes classic Christmas characters and internet shenanigans in, “OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY GRINCH IN FIGHT WITH RUDOLPH POLICE CALLED”. PRTC Resident Artist, Eric Pfeffinger (“Human Error”) returns in February 2025 with a Michigan Premiere that shares a unique connection in, “Fourteen Funerals.”
The spring production begins in April and features the work of Chicago Native playwright and Purple Rose Resident Artist, Paul Stroili (“A Jukebox for The Algonquin”), with his endearing World Premiere comedy, “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War”.
Finally, in June, Hollywood actor and PRTC Resident Artist, Matt Letscher (“Sea Of Fools” and “Gaps In The Fossil Record”) closes the 2024-2025 season with a clever and touching World Premiere comedy, “Bert & Trixie Visit The Vet”.
“OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY GRINCH IN FIGHT WITH RUDOLPH POLICE CALLED”
A World Premiere comedy, written and directed by Jeff Daniels
September 26 – December 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. *Contains adult language and subject matter.
“Fourteen Funerals”
A Michigan Premiere comedy by Eric Pfeffinger
Directed by Rhiannon Ragland
February 6 – March 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.
“My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War”
A World Premiere comedy by Paul Stroili
Directed by Susan Angelo
April 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.
“Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet”
A World Premiere comedy by Matt Letscher
Directed by Rhiannon Ragland
June 20 – August 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.
Underwriting support for the Purple Rose 2024-2025 season comes from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and The Matilda R. Wilson Fund. Media sponsors include JTV and Michigan Public.
TICKETS
All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118. The performance calendar can be found HERE. Ticket prices start at $30 with special discounts for seniors, patrons 30 years or younger, members of the military, teachers, and groups (12+). For more information or to find out when you can make reservations for the 2024-2025 season, call (734) 433-7673 or go to www.purplerosetheatre.org.
About The Purple Rose Theatre Company
Founded in 1991 by actor, director, playwright, musician, and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company is a creative home for original American plays. At the PRTC, patrons experience an intimate encounter with live theatre. The Purple Rose also provides preview talk-backs, free play readings, and ticket donations to local fundraisers. It commissions new work from established and early-career playwrights. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre, the PRTC operates under a Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association. For more information contact PRTC Managing Director, Katie Hubbard at (734) 433-7782 x 116, khubbard@purplerosetheatre.org.
