Dark Comedy SMART LOVE to Premiere This Month at Purple Rose Theatre

The Purple Rose Theatre Company presents "Smart Love," a world premiere play by Grosse Pointe native Brian Letscher.

"Smart Love" is the darkly comedic story of a brilliant young man struggling with his father's sudden death and the revelation that his parents' marriage wasn't everything he was led to believe. The play explores the implications and possible ramifications of Artificial Intelligence and science in general with humor, heartache and potentially devastating consequences. It probes the age-old question: just because we can do a thing, should we?

Performances run from Thursday, Jan. 19 through Saturday, March 4, 2017. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available through Thursday Jan. 26; opening night is Friday, Jan. 27. The play contains adult language. Tickets are now on sale.

"Smart Love is an exciting, heartfelt, funny, and ultimately, powerful story of just how far a person will go to keep his family together," says PRTC Artistic Director Guy Sanville.

Letscher is a graduate of and former football player for the University of Michigan. His PRTC credits include roles in William Inge's "Bus Stop" and "When the Lights Come On". Letscher wrote the latter play. Now a Los Angeles resident, Letscher has appeared in more than a dozen television shows including "Law & Order," "Grimm" and "Castle." He is currently featured in the recurring role of Tom Larsen on ABC's "Scandal."

"Artificial Intelligence is everywhere," says Letscher. "It has been for years. It shapes our human experience everyday − changing the nature of the connection between individuals and the world, as well as the connections within our own brains and bodies. We cannot stop it. The only thing we can do is choose wisely in terms of how we use it. And even then it may end up using us − whether we know it or not."

Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast features David Bendena (Chelsea), Sarab Kamoo (Lathrup Village), Wayne David Parker (Dearborn) and Jim Porterfield (Northville). Set design is by Gary Ciarkowski, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Shelby Newport, lighting by Dana White and sound by Tom Whalen. Angie Kane Ferrante is the stage manager and Thomas Macias is the assistant stage manager. Michelle Mountain is assistant director.

Underwriting support for the season comes from the Ford Motor Company Fund, The Hamp Family Fund, the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, the Sage Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and the Matilda R. Wilson Fund. Production sponsors are Neil & Annmarie Hawkins and Soar Technology, Inc. Media sponsors include Michigan Radio, ChelseaMich.com, Detroit Performs and Applied Storytelling.

All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118. Ticket prices range from $20.50 to $46 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.

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