The Purple Rose Theatre Co. has a team of creative people who look over many different plays and scripts and ultimately decide which ones make it to the stage. That process is happening now for next year’s schedule, which will be the 35th season for the amazing and highly successful regional theater company.
“Right now, we are focused on doing comedies that say something but also are a good time,” says Caitlin Cavannaugh, a longtime actress and Resident Artist who also serves as the theater’s marketing communications specialist. “We are interested in good local stories, and want people to have a good evening out.”
And the Purple Rose’s third production of their 34th season, “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War,” is not only a good local story but a good evening out no matter which side of the border you “hail” from.
Cavannaugh says the focus now is on Midwest and even Michigan themes and stories that people can relate to, connect with and enjoy. Sort of a hometown – or home team – feel in this case.
“We don’t want to pick shows that you need a masters degree to get the references. We want shows that everyone can relate to and enjoy,” Cavannaugh says.
Written by Paul Stroili, “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War” will be relatable to anyone who has been to Michigan Stadium or that other stadium down south.
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.
Susan Angelo, who travelled from California to direct “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War,” has worked as an actor, director, teacher and arts education advocate for decades. She says presenting a hometown story that is relatable to the regional fanbase is actually rare – and refreshing.
“I think it’s important for theaters to connect to their audience,” she says. “It means you are looking out for your audience and paying attention to what your audience likes. It’s important to be promoting stories about your area and it’s really unique.”
A chosen play begins its often long journey to the Purple Rose stage at the library – seriously.
“We do a reading series in partnership with the Chelsea District Library and we’ve been doing that for a long time,” Cavannaugh said. “It used to be in person but now it’s on Zoom and it reaches many more people. So we did a reading for this play almost two years ago.”
And these readings are a test to see what works, what doesn’t, or what needs to be tightened up or flushed out. And it’s also a test for the actors because there are no guarantees at this point – everything is still a work in progress and just because you are reading for a part doesn’t mean it’s automatically yours.
“The auditions for the acting parts come after the reading,” said Cavannaugh, who actually read the part of her character during the library series performance for “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War.” “It’s great for an actor because you get to read the whole thing instead of just doing a scene in the audition.”
Every year Purple Rose hosts general open call auditions for everyone and then will call people back for specific roles.
“The great thing about having a company like the Purple Rose is it creates long-term relationships and only a handful of theaters across the country have this and it’s special,” says Angelo, who has directed Shakespeare and conducted workshops for over 30 years at universities including USC, NYU, Claremont, and California Lutheran University, as well as privately in LA and NYC. “They have resident artists, like Caitlin, who become like families and unfortunately it’s rare. I just love the philosophy they have here which is to serve the local audience, telling local stories and focusing on comedy, which can be hard and challenging but nothing more rewarding than getting people to laugh because it opens up people’s hearts. There is nothing like being in an audience and everyone laughing together. It moves people.”
And “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War” will certainly move people.
Performances of “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War” at The Purple Rose Theatre run from Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, May 25. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available through Thursday, April 10, with talkbacks April 3 to April 6. Performances are Wednesday – Sunday 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.
