BWW Interviews: Randolph Mantooth Talks SUPERIOR DONUTS at The Purple Rose Theatre Company

Superior Donuts, by Tracy Letts, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning play August: Osage County, opens the new season at The Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, Michigan. The play debuted in Chicago in 2008 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company then moved to Broadway in 2009 and now it will make its Michigan debut at the Purple Rose. The comedy-drama is set in a Chicago donut shop and is about the unlikely friendship of the owner, Arthur, and his new employee.

The esteemed actor Randolph Mantooth plays Arthur. Mantooth has been working for over 40 years on the stage and in film and television and is excited to be working with director Guy Sanville again. “Guy and I have worked previously together and I thought he was a really smart, caring, and nurturing director,” says Mantooth, “so when he called and asked if I would be interested in Superior Donuts, I said yes.”

After Guy introduced him to the play and started to read and learn about Arthur, Mantooth found that there were may similarities between the character and himself. “The similarities I saw were ones I denied at first, but my wife pointed out to me that I do that: you kind of shy away, you of stand in the corner, you just kind of like watching,” he says. “Once I was listening to her and reading the play, I realized that I maybe I do. It was a chance for me to explore I side of me that most roles that I do don’t let me really explore. It’s been very cathartic for me.” One aspect of taking on a new character that excites Mantooth is the exploration process. “You have to explore the character before you explore yourself,” he says, “and in exploring that character, all of sudden you see parts of yourself, and sometimes you don’t want to see it."

Sanville encourages character exploration and development, which is another reason Mantooth enjoys working with him. “One of the great things about Guy if that he tells people up front that you can’t do anything wrong,” he says, “he wants us to try anything. When someone tells you can’t fail and you can’t do anything wrong, the whole world opens up to you. He’s an awesome director and really good guy.”

Exploring Arthur has been interesting for Mantooth. On the surface, he’s an ex-hippie who has taken over his families’ donut shop and just going through the motions of life. As the play goes on, viewers see that Arthur is much more complex then at first glance. “Arthur is the man that who walks to the top of the hill and shuts the gate to not allow anyone on top of the hill,” says Mantooth. “It is only after he hires this young kid as an assistant that is he pulled back into the 21^st century emotionally and every other way possible.”

Mantooth loves portraying Arthur in Superior Donuts, just as much as he adores living in Chelsea during the show. “Living here is like I’m doing a play in Mayberry and it’s one of the most wonderful places I have ever been,” he says. “My biggest conflict is having to decide where to eat everyday since there are so many great places.  I just love it here.”

He encourages people to not just come and enjoy the heartfelt show, but enjoy the town. According to him, it is also a theatre experience that should not be missed. “Come prepared to cry and laugh. It’s one funny play. There are times when I am on stage that I literally have to take a moment to keep from laughing. On the same token it has wonderful heart to it,” he says. “I just love being around The cast, which is all from Michigan, and are all top quality actors and top quality people. If you really want to enjoy yourself in the theatre this is one of those highlights in your theatre going experiences. This is going to very funny and very good show.”

Superior Donuts previews started last night, September 20 and it officially opens September 28 and runs through December 15 at The Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea. For more information and tickets, visit www.purplerosetheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Sean Carter Photography

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