Jeff Daniels’ acting resume is as impressive as any A-Lister in or out of Hollywood – we don’t really need to go through the long list or that he has been nominated for five Golden Globes, five Screen Actors Guild Awards and three Tony Awards.
Daniels is known for his work on stage and screen playing diverse characters switching between comedy and drama. He is also quite diverse off the stage – as a writer, director, producer and theater owner/director.
He’s also known as an amazing writer who has penned many classics, including a theater full of shows that have played to critical acclaim, with many taking center stage at his Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea.
But Jeff Daniels, the director, doesn’t have the cache as Jeff Daniels, the writer or actor. In fact, if you Google Jeff Daniels, director he isn’t the first name to come up. Apparently, there is a famous director from Australia named Jeff Daniels who is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Who knew?
Our Jeff Daniels’ film directing credits (according to IMDB) include “Super Sucker” and “Escanaba in da Moonlight,” both of which he also wrote. So it’s not a hat he wears very often but decided to put it on for his latest play, “OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY GRINCH IN FIGHT WITH RUDOLPH POLICE CALLED,” now playing at the Purple Rose.
And the actors of this raucous comedy couldn’t be more thrilled to have both Jeff Daniels, the writer and director, involved behind the scenes.
“It’s fun to watch him change hats,” says Ryan Carlson, who plays Wally Wilkins Jr. in the play. “He will be directing and then go have a meeting with himself as the writer and make some hard cuts and changes that maybe Jeff the writer didn’t want to do but Jeff the director feels you need to do.”
Carlson, a Resident Artist at the Purple Rose who also performed in Daniels’ Pickleball last year, says it’s “great” to have such an amazing and accomplished actor giving guidance on acting.
“Because he is such a gifted actor, any gems he gives us or advice he passes along on the craft is just great,” Carlson said.
Henri Franklin, who plays Lamar Johnson in the play and is an award-winning SAG-AFTRA actor based out of Detroit, says it’s interesting to watch the actors interact with Daniels.
“I’ve noticed during this process that when he is giving notes to an actor the other actors are intently listening in as if he were talking to them,” Franklin says. “It’s like a sponge effect. Everybody in the process is soaking up as much as they can and putting it into their own tool belt.”
Franklin says it’s not unusual to see Daniels try new things. “It’s cool to see him try things and be honest with himself if they don’t work,” he said. “There also is an accountability too, where he will say, yeah, I gave you that and it doesn’t work.
“It’s also very interesting to see the different tactics he uses to get you to where he is trying to take you. He has several ways he uses to do that and as an actor it makes you feel involved and useful and important. You feel appreciation from not only him but everyone in the room.”
Paul Stroili, who plays Jerry Cornicelli in the play, says you kind of forget when you are working with him that he is one of the most acclaimed actors in the world.
“You are so distracted from that because you are focused on what you are doing and he’s focused on getting the best out of you and on his job as the director,” says Stroili. “In the moment you don’t realize how lucky you are to be working with him. It’s truly a gift.”
Stroili, who also is an actor, director and playwright, says that in the moment, Daniels is just “this nice guy from Michigan who is working with you on this wonderful play.”
“It really is a master class in the precision of comedy,” Stroili says. “It’s like a surgical study in the rhythms and timing that are so important in a comedy. I really appreciate it. He is very collaborative and open to ideas and trying things but at the same time he’s the one in charge and making the final decisions.”
Performances of “OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY GRINCH IN FIGHT WITH RUDOLPH POLICE CALLED” at The Purple Rose run through Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. 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 make reservations call (734) 433-7673 or go to www.purplerosetheatre.org.
Photos by Sean Carter Photography
In Review: ‘Office Party’ ends in uncontrollable laughter at Purple Rose
