CARNAGE Star Daniels Offers Broadway Benefit Weekend

Jeff Daniels and Event Host, Peter Heydon, invite you to a once-in-a-lifetime Broadway weekend that will be limited to only twenty-two guests, April 24, 25, 26, 2009.

Guests will dine with Jeff Daniels at a private after theatre party hosted by Jean Claude Baker (son of the famed Josephine Baker), stay in the luxury of the legendary Plaza Hotel, attend a cocktail reception at one of Manhattan's most exclusive private clubs, and more. As the highlight of the weekend, guests will have orchestra seats for God of Carnage, a fierce, funny satire by Tony Award winner, Yasmina Reza, starring Jeff Daniels, James Gandolfini (Golden Globe, The Sopranos), Marcia Gay Harden (Oscar, Pollock), and Hope Davis (Golden Globe Nomination, American Splendor).

With God of Carnage, Reza has written what she describes as "a comedy of manners...without the manners." Her dangerously funny play deals with the aftermath of a playground altercation between two boys and what happens when their sophisticated, affluent parents meet to resolve the matter in a civilized way. "It's a wonderful mix of comedy and tragedy," said Daniels. "It's universal." God of Carnage received the 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy (British equivalent of a Tony). Asked why he chose to be part of God of Carnage, Daniels replied, "It wasn't hard to decide; it's working with the A Team."

Opportunities to see God of Carnage will be few. Its Broadway run is limited to a mere five months when its stars will move on to film commitments. We have all been to theatre - Broadway through summer stock - but it's a very rare thing to see one of the most talked about plays of the season and then discuss its ins and outs with one of its stars. This isn't the road company of last year's Broadway musical or an evening at Cats packed with tourists. It's the real thing. This weekend is a voyage of discovery that will offer new insights, fresh perspectives, and timeless memories to even the most seasoned theatergoers.

The cost of the weekend at the Plaza is $1,800 per guest based on double occupancy. Single occupancy requires a $500 supplement. For those who wish to make their own hotel reservations, the cost of the weekend is $1,200 per guest. In all cases, the weekend's cost includes a tax-deductible contribution to the Purple Rose.

Jeff Daniels founded the Purple Rose Theatre to develop new plays that provide "a voice from the heartland" and enrich America's theatrical repertoire. The Rose offers a creative home to gifted playwrights, actors, directors, designers, and technicians; provides a training ground for young people; and opens the world of theatre to a diverse audience. It has been singled out for honors by the National Endowment for the Arts, American Theatre Critics Association, Shubert Foundation, and others. It has attracted talents such as Pulitzer Prize playwright, Lanford Wilson; popular author, Mitch Albom; and comedian/writer Steve Martin. Your support of this benefit weekend will help the Rose continue to do what it does best - entertain audiences; develop new plays; provide educational opportunities not available elsewhere; and serve a theatre community we all share.

Reserve your place today for an adventure you'll never forget! For reservations or more information, contact the Rose at (734) 433-7782, or email info@purplerosetheatre.org. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Purple Rose, which is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt professional theatre.