By Nicole M. Robertson
Special to WeLoveAnnArbor.com
Ever wonder how your dog sees the world?
Playwright Matt Letscher and a talented cast of actors delve into that question in the cute comedy “Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet,” enjoying its world premiere at Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea.
The final production of PRT’s 34th season, directed by Rhiannon Ragland (Jeff Daniels’ “Pickleball,” “The Antichrist Cometh”), this is another light comedy with heart — a recent focus of the Purple Rose.
Even though retrievers Bert and Trixie are a brother and sister from the same litter, they see things from disparate points of view. Trixie (Jamie Elvey of Okemos, in her PRT debut) actually seems to enjoy going to the vet, while Bert (Jonathan West of Belleville) pulls back on his leash and begs not to be dragged into that place. He soon relaxes when the nurse (Maria Ru-djen of Royal Oak) offers irresistible treats she calls “crack.”
The two actors on leashes charmingly wiggle their behinds and snuggle next to their distracted owner, nervously attending her cell phone.
But when Bitchy — an un-neutered, streetwise tomcat hanging around the office — explains that sometimes pets never come back from the vet, Bert gets really nervous. Anchored to a steel D-ring, he runs repeatedly to the end of his leash with a comic jerk while his sister gets her shots in another room.
Bitchy, played with cynical panache by Purple Rose veteran Mark Colson (Sherlock Holmes in David MacGregor’s Holmes trilogy at PRT) goads the dogs into running away. Freedom, he explains, is better than the safety of the pack; hardscrabble pizza from a garbage can is more delightful than kibble from a bowl. He struts around, intimidating and scratching people, knocking over objects and stretching his long body in the middle of the floor whenever he isn’t napping in his cat tree.
“He’s kind of a whiner, that’s why I called him Bitchy,” the nurse explains.
And then there’s Leonard, the shop parrot (John Seibert of Ann Arbor), who sits through the early scenes, silently hiding his wisdom and special talents. Seibert’s costume, by costume designer Shelby Newport, is a clever collection of multicolored neckties, which he occasionally flings about, sewn to a bright yellow vest, topped off with a green knit cap.
“Pretty Lady! Pretty Lady!” he squawks at the women in the office. Later, he has more to say to the other animals in the room.
“I’ve been learning their language ever since they stole me from the forest,” he tells them. “It’s more about the tone than the actual words.”
Bert & Trixie’s owner, played by Meghan VanArsdalen of Ann Arbor, has problems of her own. She was left with these dogs when her husband took up with his Pilates instructor, and he no longer seems to care about them. Or her.
Missing from this group is Stewie, the old clinic dog, who three months ago went to the back room and didn’t return.
“Your pack leader comes back, blowing snot … they always come back,” Bitchy says, explaining the process.
“Sooner or later, Bert will go through that door for the last time,” according to the owner’s wishes, he says. “Nobody asks the dog.”
But the cat can leave any time he wants. “You’re bound,” he taunts Bert.
“That’s protecting me!” Bert replies, defending the leash.
“It’s not to protect you, it’s to control you!”
Trixie, frustrated at this baiting dialogue, asks, “Why do you care so much about us?”
“WHY?” Bitchy says. “Because I’m a CAT! Who knows why we do anything?”
Even the play’s program describes how the different animals see the world, quite literally, and how the colors of the stage set were designed to celebrate the partial color-blindness of the dogs and the super-perception of the parrot.
Stewie knew his place in the world, Bitchy recalls. “He said, ‘We’re not here for a long time; we’re here for a good time,” the cat relates. And so are we.
“Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet” has adult language and subject matter and may not be suitable for children younger than 13. Performances are Wednesday-Sunday through Aug. 31 at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Visit purplerosetheatre.org for details.
SPECIAL EVENTS
There will be adoption events at the Purple Rose from 4:30-6:30 p.m on July 24 and Aug. 7, 14 and 28, in partnership with Cascades Humane Society. Animals available for adoption will be on site at the theater. The Saturday evening performance of Aug. 2 will include a “30s & 40s Meetup Night,” a mixer with discounted tickets for anyone ages 30-49 with a cocktail hour and food truck at Ugly Dog Distillery prior to the performance. Call the box office at 734-433-7673 to reserve a ticket. For more information about these special events, email caitlin@purplerosetheatre.org.
2025-2026 SEASON
Purple Rose Theatre was founded in 1991 by actor and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, who remains its artist director. Next season features the 20th anniversary production of the Daniels comedy “Norma & Wanda,” also directed by Rhiannon Ragland. It will run Sept. 25-Dec. 21. Tickets go on sale July 22 for those who qualify for priority booking (donors of $250+), and general public sales begin Aug. 12.
