DIVA ROYALE Opens Purple Rose 28th Season

The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) will open its 28th season with "Diva Royale", a world premiere comedy by founder Jeff Daniels. Tickets are on sale now.

The play follows the exploits of three midwestern stay-at-home moms who plan a last minute trip to NYC to see their favorite star, Celine Dion, perform, and maybe to experience a bit of the romance lacking in their lives. However, as soon as they get on the plane things go very wrong. "Diva Royale" promises an evening of sidesplitting hilarity.

"Once again Jeff exhibits his versatility as a playwright, following last year's powerful drama 'FLINT' with this hilarious comedy," says Artistic Director Guy Sanville.

"Diva Royale" marks Daniels' 18th world premiere at The Rose. His most notable works include "FLINT" (2018), "Escanaba in da Moonlight" (1995), "Across the Way" (2002 American Theatre Critics Association Best New Play Finalist), and "Guest Artist" (2006 American Theatre Critics Association Best New Play Runner-Up).

This year Daniels has also earned two Emmy nominations for his roles in "Looming Tower" (Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie) and "Godless" (Outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or a movie).

Performances run from Thursday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available through Thursday, Sept. 27. Opening night is Friday, Sept. 28.

Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast features resident artists Rhiannon Ragland (Gregory), Rusty Mewha (Plymouth), Kate Thomsen (Portage) and Kristin Shields (Ann Arbor). Set design is by Gary Ciarkowski, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Shelby Newport, lighting by Dana L. White, projections by Robert W. Hubbard and sound by Tom Whalen. Angie Kane Ferrante is the stage manager.

The production sponsors are Chelsea Comfort Inn & Village Conference Center and Legacy Assisted Living. Underwriting support for the season comes from the Ford Motor Company Fund, The Hamp Family Fund, the Richard & Jane Manoogian Foundation, the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and the Matilda R. Wilson Fund. Media sponsors include Michigan Radio, ChelseaMich.com, The Sun Times News, Applied Storytelling, and HOME.fm.

All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.

Ticket prices range from $21 to $47 with special discounts for students, seniors, teachers, members of the military and groups. For more information or to make reservations call (734) 433-7673 or go to www.purplerosetheatre.org.

Founded in 1991 by actor, playwright, musician and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, the Purple Rose Theatre Company is a creative home for original American plays. In the 168-seat theatre, patrons experience an intimate encounter with live theatre.

The PRTC also provides an apprenticeship program, performance classes, readings, lectures and tours. It commissions new work from established and early-career playwrights. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional theatre, the PRTC operates under a Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors' Equity Association.