IN COMMON

by Quinn D. Eli

April 21 – June 3, 2023

Melanie is haunted by a voice that won’t leave her head. Call it a ghost, a hallucination, or clear evidence of a mental collapse. Either way, it’s a lingering reminder of a friend who was killed years ago; the friend was black, Melanie is white, and questions about why it happened – and who was to blame – come newly into focus when Melanie is drawn into a relationship that offers her a brighter future, but no clear escape from the past.

Contains adult language and content.

DIRECTOR: Rhiannon Ragland
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: K. Edmonds

CAST:

Caitlin Cavannaugh*
Rachel Keown
Rusty Mewha*
Olivia Miller*
Dez Walker

UNDERSTUDIES: Justin Montgomery, Ethan May, Laura Nguyen, Hope Shangle*

Set Designer: Sarah Pearline
Lighting Designer:
Stephen Sakowski & Dana L. White
Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
Costume Designer: Shelby Newport
Sound Designer: Matthew Tibbs
Production Stage Manager:
Karen Anne George*
Production ASM: Stefanie Din*
Rehearsal ASM: Hope Shangle*

*Member Actors’ Equity Association

PRESS QUOTES

“The Purple Rose Theatre is presenting the world premiere of playwright Quinn D. Eli’s In Common, a play that balances a caustic sense of humor with a serious look at complicated relationships in a complicated urban environment. Director Rhiannon Ragland and her excellent cast get the balance just right.”

-Hugh Gallagher, PULP A2

“In Common is a superior script that taps into huge issues confronting society today–not by hitting the audience over the head, but in a very digestible portion that hopefully stirs a lot of conversation at the pub after the show or on the drive home. The issues are with us at home, at work and in every community and often in the same home among loved ones.”

-David Kiley, Encore Michigan

Production photos by Sean Carter Photography.