The Purple Rose Theatre Company will continue its strong tradition of
producing world premieres and theatrical favorites for its 2016-2017 season. Artistic Director Guy Sanville
poses the question, “Do you ever wish you had a second chance to meet someone again for the first time?
Our 26th season is an enchanting mix that will feature two world premiere comedies by Michigan playwrights,
a revival and a Pulitzer prize-winning American classic, all of which explore this question with humor, magic, mayhem, and heart.”
September 29 – December 17, 2016
Donor sales begin: Monday, August 8 @ 10AM
General sales begin: Monday, August 22 @ 10AM
Ford Fridays: October 28 & December 2
Michigan native playwright Carey Crim’s hilariously touching story centers on Angus and Abigail who meet at
a funeral and are surprised to wake up together after a wine-fueled night. While Abigail may be ready to take
a chance on love, Angus still has issues to work through. When Angus’s neighbor Ollie, a former baseball
player with secrets of his own, shows up using a walker, confusion and chaos ensue. Can these three find a
way to connect with their pasts in order to construct a brighter future? Directed by Guy Sanville. Cast:
Randolph Mantooth (Los Angeles, CA), Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake), and Lynch Travis (Dearborn). Morning
After Grace contains adult language.
January 19 – March 4, 2017
Donor sales begin: Monday, November 28 @ 10AM
General sales begin: Monday, December 12 @ 10AM
Ford Fridays: February 3 & February 24
University of Michigan grad Brian Letscher’s world premiere is a dark comedy about a brilliant young man
who struggles with his father’s sudden death and the revelation that his parents’ marriage wasn’t everything
he was led to believe. The play also explores the implications and possible ramifications of artificial
intelligence. Just because we can do a thing, should we? Directed by Guy Sanville. Cast: David Bendena
(Chelsea), Sarab Kamoo (Lathrup Village), Wayne David Parker (Dearborn), and Jim Porterfield (Northville). Smart Love contains adult language.
March 23 – May 27, 2017
Donor sales begin: Monday, January 30 @ 10AM
General sales begin: Monday, February 13 @ 10AM
Ford Fridays: April 7 & May 5
This entertaining and thought provoking play by Detroit-born playwright David MacGregor returns to the
Purple Rose Theatre. On Halloween night two couples prepare to attend an annual costume party. Their
evening unravels after they share a bottle of South American ceremonial wine made from the skin of blue dart
tree frogs. Under the influence of this tribal truth serum, unbridled honesty stretches the bounds of friendship
forever. Directed by Rhiannon Ragland. Cast: David Bendena (Chelsea), Alex Leydenfrost (Ann Arbor),
Aphrodite Nikolovski (Woodstock, NY) and Kate Thomsen (Portage). Vino Veritas contains adult language.
June 15 – August 26, 2017
Donor sales begin: Monday, April 24 @ 10AM
General sales begin: Monday, May 8 @ 10AM
Ford Fridays: July 7 & August 11
A Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic concludes the Purple Rose Theatre’s 26th season. Elwood P. Dowd
insists on taking his friend Harvey to all of his sister Veta’s social gatherings. Trouble is, Harvey is an
imaginary six-and-a-half-foot-tall rabbit. To avoid future embarrassment for her family, especially for her
daughter Myrtle Mae, Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. When they arrive at the
sanitarium a comedy of errors ensues. Directed by Guy Sanville. Cast: David Bendena (Chelsea), Caitlyn
Cavanaugh (Chicago, IL), Susan Craves (Clarkston), Ruth Crawford (Ann Arbor), Michael Gingerella (West
Bloomfield), Erika Matchie Thiede (Marquette), Richard McWilliams (Dayton, OH), Rusty Mewha (Plymouth),
Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake), Tom Whalen (Royal Oak), and other roles TBA.
Underwriting support for the Purple Rose 2016-2017 season comes from the Ford Motor Company Fund, The
Hamp Family, Shubert Foundation, and Matilda R. Wilson Fund. Media sponsors include Applied Storytelling,
ChelseaMich.com, Detroit Performs, and Michigan Radio.
Ticket Information
Regular performances are 8:00 pm Thursday – Saturday, 3:00 pm Wednesday and Saturday, 2:00 pm
Sunday. Special discounts are available for the first week of previews and for students, seniors, teachers,
veterans/military personnel, and groups. Prices range from $22-$46.
Tickets can be purchased for groups of 12 or more starting June 27. PRTC donors of $250 or more (in our
“Playwright Circle”) can purchase tickets two weeks in advance of general ticket sales which are available
approximately six weeks before each show opens. Reservations can be made by calling The Purple Rose
Theatre Company box office at (734) 433-7673 or going online.