Purple Rose Theatre Co. Presents World Premiere Of ESCANABA By Jeff Daniels 9/17-12/19

The Purple Rose Theatre Company is proud to announce the World Premiere of Escanaba by Jeff Daniels this fall. The production will enjoy a fourteen-week engagement from Thursday, September 17 through Saturday, December 19, 2009. Seven low-price previews of Escanaba will be performed from Thursday, September 17, through Thursday, September 24, with Press Opening on Friday, September 25, 2009. Regular performances for the duration of the engagement are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm with Saturday matinees at 3:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. All performances are held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.
 
Escanaba is the final installment of the classic Yooper trilogy which began with Escanaba in da Moonlight and Escanaba in Love. The legend begins in 1922 with Alphonse Soady putting the finishing touches on his newly-constructed deer camp. A wild-eyed James Negamanee bursts through his door fleeing a black bear. This origin story reveals the role this strange trespasser plays in time-honored Soady Deer Camp traditions, including the saga of the Soady Ridge Buck.
 
"The opportunity to write any play, let alone a trilogy, is a privilege afforded few playwrights," says playwright Jeff Daniels. "It helps to have your own theatre company, sure, but if people hadn't come to see what happened inside the ‘the world famous Soady Deer Camp,' it's safe to say the Soadys would not have come to be." Daniels continues, "... as a playwright it has been a wonderful journey. I am grateful there is an audience for these stories, and I hope they have come to know and love these characters as much as I do."
 
Directed by artistic director Guy Sanville, the cast of Escanaba will include Wayne David Parker (Dearborn, MI) playing his third generation of the Negamanee clan, Tom Whalen (Royal Oak, MI) appearing in his first Escanaba play, and Julian Gant (Southfield, MI) making his PRTC debut.
 
Design for this production includes set by Dennis G. Crawley, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Sally L. Converse-Doucette, lighting by Dana White and sound by Quintessa Gallinat. Stephanie Buck stage manages with Gregory Butka as assistant stage manager.
 
Founded in 1991 by acclaimed actor and Chelsea-native Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company is a leading American theatre dedicated to producing the new American play and creating opportunities for Midwest theatre professionals. The PRTC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit theatre operating under an Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors' Equity Association. The PRTC promotes the development of new American theatre and its practitioners, provides valuable educational opportunities for young artists, and, through consistently high quality production values, has earned the respect of both local and National Theatre communities.
 
Ticket reservations can be made by calling the Box Office at 734.433.7673; Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Single tickets are also available for purchase at purplerosetheatre.org.

Julian Gant makes his PRTC debut in Escanaba. He achieved his Communication and Media Arts degree at Wayne State University and has co-starred with Jackee Harry and John Canada Terrell. His recent theatre credits include Fences at Performance Network and understudying for The Second City's Kwame a River. He recently played a supporting role in the feature film Intent starring Eric Roberts. Julian can usually be found in Detroit performing with his improv troupe, "The Improv BruVas."

Wayne David Parker, a resident artist, last appeared on the PRTC stage in When the Lights Come On. He has played a Negamanee in the World Premiere of all three plays in the Escanaba trilogy-da Jimmer in Escanaba in da Moonlight and Salty Jim in Escanaba in Love. This is his 23rd production with the PRTC and his sixth by Mr. Daniels. He recently appeared at Meadow Brook Theatre in The Trip to Bountiful and in Kong's Night Out with Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka, at Tipping Point Theatre in The Dinner Party, and at Williamston Theatre in Talley's Folly. A veteran of voice over for radio and television, he recently worked on his tenth feature film, Stone, in which he has a scene with Robert De Niro.

Tom Whalen was last seen at the PRTC in Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid. He also appeared in The Glass Menagerie, The Good Doctor, Let It Be, Guys On Ice and Orphan Train. He has performed locally at the BoarsHead Theatre, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Meadow Brook Theatre, Hilberry Repertory, The Gem Theatre, The Attic Theatre and Performance Network. His many roles include Zach in A Chorus Line, Feste in Twelfth Night, Ben Hecht in Moonlight and Magnolias, Papa Gonzales in Summer and Smoke and Audrey 2 (the plant) in Little Shop of Horrors.

A special Premiere Gala of Escanaba by Jeff Daniels will be held Sunday, October 4 at 6:00 pm. This is as special as it gets! A spine-tingling, heart-pounding, smile-making benefit featuring hors d'oeuvres, live music, an exclusive performance of the World Premiere comedy Escanaba by Jeff Daniels and dinner at The Common Grill with the playwright and cast.

Gala tickets are $250 per person ($150 is tax deductible). Seating is limited. Guests may RSVP by phone at (734) 433-7782 or by email to info@purplerosetheatre.org. Casual dress or Yooper formalwear is recommended. Call for more information: (734) 433-PRTC (7782)

For more information, visit www.purplerosetheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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