In the tradition of Across The Way and Boom Town, Guest Artist is a play about the arrogant use of power; a story about taking risks, playing it safe and the mixed blessing of getting exactly what you wish. In his most autobiographical work yet, Daniels weaves a funny and poignant story about a young man coming face to face with his hero and explores the tangled relationship between the dreams of youth and the wisdom of age.

Playwright Jeff Daniels has been writing for The Purple Rose Theatre Company since Shoe Man closed the company’s first season in 1991. Since then, four of his plays have been published by Dramatists Play Service and performed all over the country. In 2002, Across The Way was nominated for the American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award; Daniels shared this nomination with legendary playwright Arthur Miller and with the 2003 Pulitzer Prize winner, Anna In The Tropics by Nilo Cruz. Though Daniels been writing plays for a over ten years, Guest Artist is different than any of his previous work. “I’ve always wanted to write a play about the American Theatre,” he says. “I had no idea it would be so deeply personal. It’s a play I had to write.”

Directed by PRTC Artistic Director Guy Sanville, the cast of Guest Artist featured Randall Godwin as the Ticket Man, Patrick Michael Kenney as the young man and Grant R. Krause as his hero.
photo of Grant R. Krause, courtesy of Adrian Fiebig

Critics' Quotes FOUR STARS out of four stars "Jeff Daniels' 10th play is his best yet." Martin F. Kohn Detroit Free Press "… powerful and smart… For this rare moment of communal grace, we have Daniels to thank." Jenn McKee The Ann Arbor News "Krause is simply fantastic, and the dialogue is crisp and complex… Guest Artist is a play with sad and painful depths…" Tom Helma Lansing City Pulse "...pure perfection… there’s something in Guest Artist that transcends the stage." Judith Cookis-Rubens Oakland Press "...passionate, thought-provoking… an intensely gripping production… Wow! The Bottom Line: An artist never apologizes, Harris says, and neither should Jeff Daniels for this important look at post 9-11 America." Donald V. Calamia Between The Lines "…intricate, funny and sometimes alarming cat-and-mouse game." Terry Pow Jackson Citizen Patriot "Jeff Daniels has given us a moving love letter to the playwright’s art in his splendid new play… an excellent production with a talented cast." Robert Delaney Detroit Monitor "…polished and compelling… we want to hear every word of Daniels’ play." Michael H. Margolin Metro Times "It makes you think. It makes you remember. It makes you want to change." Jennifer Sinkwitts Chelsea Standard