“Guest Artist” Movie - The Purple Rose Theatre Company

Be sure to check out Guest Artist, out in limited release now and hitting video on demand (VOD) on July 21st from Indican Pictures!

GUEST ARTIST will also open in select theaters in Boston (July 10th), Vancouver, Los Angeles, Ann Arbor/Detroit and Martha’s Vineyard, and San Francisco the weekend of July 31st.

Based on Jeff Daniels’ 2006 play, Guest Artist was shot in Chelsea, Michigan in December 2017. Filmed mainly inside our town’s historical train depot, the movie was crewed by Michiganders and, along with Jeff Daniels, has a cast made up of actors from the Purple Rose Theatre Company.

“Guest Artist played more than twenty film festivals across the country. I’m happy to report that audiences were held by the story and captivated by the work of The Purple Rose actors who deliver like the seasoned pros they are. We took what we do on the Purple Rose stage and put it in front of a camera. And it worked. Now I’m thrilled to bring it home.” – Jeff Daniels

WHERE TO STREAM:

Featuring the following Purple Rose Artists:

JEFF DANIELS
as
Joseph Harris

THOMAS MACIAS
as
Kenneth Waters

RICHARD McWILLIAMS
as
Franz

LYNCH TRAVIS
as
Larry

RUTH CRAWFORD
as
Mary

DAN JOHNSON
as
Dan

McKARA BECHLER
as
Hope

Please consider a tax deductible donation today to ensure that world premiere plays at The Purple Rose Theatre, like Guest Artist, continue to be produced and make an impact here in southeastern Michigan and then go on to make an impact on other national and international stages.

DONATE

GUY SANVILLE

Director of the original production and PRTC Artistic Director

“Guest Artist is a funny and heartfelt film featuring some of the truest work in Jeff’s legendary career; both as an actor and a playwright. The film is beautifully rendered by the great director Tim Busfield,and the cast is rounded out magnificently with several Purple Rose actors. It’s just great.”

– Guy Sanville

THOMAS MACIAS

Kenneth Waters in the film and PRTC Development Associate

“Filming Guest Artist was an experience I will never forget. From long, continuous takes with Jeff at midnight, to getting directed by Tim Busfield in Chelsea, just minutes from my apartment – I still can’t believe I was fortunate to be a part of it. And to do it with Purple Rose Artists Richard, McKara, Dan, Lynch, and Ruth – it made the whole thing incredibly special.

This opportunity would never have happened without Jeff’s apprenticeship at Circle Rep and my apprenticeship at the Purple Rose.”

– Thomas Macias

KATIE HUBBARD

Stage Manager of the original production as well as current PRTC Managing Director

“Guest Artist by Jeff Daniels is a part of Purple Rose history. This story is based loosely on Purple Rose playwright and benefactor, Lanford Wilson, and PRTC Founder, Jeff Daniels during his time as a young apprentice at the Circle Repertory Company. Guest Artist tackles the nature of artistic risk, and as we say all the time, there is nothing more risky than doing world premiere plays – yet it is at the heart of our mission. This is a beautiful example of the reach our new works have; first as a play that has gone on to other regional theaters, and then as a film that allows the story to have even greater reach and longevity.

This world premiere play-turned-movie is especially close to my heart. After my apprenticeship in 2002-2003 at The Purple Rose Theatre, I went on to be part of the stage management team. Guest Artist wasn’t just the first world premiere play I was the lead stage manager on, but it was also written by our founder. Talk about nerve-wracking, exciting, and important all wrapped into one. It’s wonderful to be part of the history of this world premiere play and to now be the managing director of PRTC, now that Guest Artist is a film with Purple Rose artists. We’re excited to share this story with you.”

– Katie Hubbard

FROM STAGE TO SCREEN

Grant R. Krause (as Joseph Harris) and Patrick Michael Kenney (as Kenneth Waters) in the 2006 PRTC world premiere of Guest Artist directed by Guy Sanville.

Jeff Daniels (as Joseph Harris) and Thomas Macias (as Kenneth Waters) in the 2019 movie Guest Artist directed by Timothy Busfield. From Indican Pictures.

Original cast of Guest Artist by Jeff Daniels (play)

Jan. 19- March 18, 2006 (includes previews)

Guest Artist premiered at The Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, Michigan on January 27, 2006. The play was directed by Guy Sanville; the set design was by Bartley H. Bauer; the costume design was by Christianne Myers; the lighting design was by Dana White; the sound design was by Quintessa Gallinat; the properties design was by Danna Segrest; and the stage manager was Katie M. Doral. The cast was as follows:

TICKET MAN – Randall Godwin

KENNETH WATERS – Patrick Michael Kenney

JOSEPH HARRIS – Grant R. Krause

(Patrick Michael Kenney, Grant R. Krause)

(Jeff Daniels, Thomas Macias)

The World Premiere Fund

The Purple Rose Theatre’s gold-standard reputation depends on the quality and quantity of exciting new works created by American playwrights, particularly those from Michigan. The new World Premiere Fund will allow us to continue to cultivate and produce these world-class American plays. The fund’s initial goal is $500,000. To date, we have secured $250,000 in cash and pledges. Your support will ensure a future of important new plays.

NEIL HAWKINS

Former Board Member

“Writing and producing new plays is a hallmark of The Purple Rose Theatre Company. However, as successful as the theatre has been in this creative process, it is risky. The new World Premiere Fund will help manage these risks, and enable Michigan playwrights to pursue their craft. We find great reward in supporting new work at The Purple Rose Theatre. Please join Annmarie and me by contributing to The World Premiere Fund.”

– Neil Hawkins