Purple Rose Theatre Presents MORNING AFTER GRACE

"Morning After Grace," a world premiere by Carey Crim, is the first play of The Purple Rose Theatre Company's 2016-2017 season.

Angus and Abigail meet at a funeral and are surprised to wake up together after a wine-fueled, one-night stand. While Abigail may finally be ready to take a chance on love after her husband left her years before for a younger model, Angus has a few issues of his own to work through first. When neighbor Ollie, a former baseball player with secrets of his own, shows up, confusion and chaos ensue. Can these three find a way to connect with their individual pasts in order to construct a brighter future?

This hilariously touching comedy runs from Thursday, Sept. 29 through Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available through Thursday, Oct. 6; opening night is Friday, Oct. 7. The play contains adult language.

"Morning After Grace" is Crim's fifth world-premiere at the Purple Rose. Her previous works include a contribution to the "Spring Comedy Festival: Lovers, Liars and Lunatics," "Some Couples May...," "Wake," and "Growing Pretty." "Wake" received a West Coast Premiere at the SeaGlass Theatre in Los Angeles where it was a critic's pick. Carey has recently adapted it for the screen and it will begin filming in 2017. She is a three-time finalist for Miami City Theater's short play competition and won the competition in 2011. She has been a finalist for The Heideman award and a two-time finalist in the Samuel French OOB festival. Her work has received productions and/or workshops at Pasadena Playhouse, Primary Stages, Luna Stage, Asolo Rep Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Miami City Theater, Rubicon Theatre, and The Purple Rose Theatre Company. Crim is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Director Guy Sanville describes "Morning After Grace" as "a farce about finding love again at strange times in unexpected places. These characters have had careers, raised families, lost spouses. Ultimately, this is a grownup comedy about grownup people."

The cast features Hollywood actor Randolph Mantooth (Santa Barbara, CA), Resident Artist and PRTC Director of Educational Programming Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake) and Lynch Travis (Dearborn). A 40-year veteran of stage, TV and film, Randolph Mantooth returns to the Purple Rose after a previous role in "Superior Donuts" (2012). While he has enjoyed success across multiple mediums, Mantooth is perhaps best known for his lead role as paramedic John Gage in the NBC series "Emergency!" in the 1970s. His other credits include "General Hospital," "One Life to Live" and "As the World Turns."

Set design is by Bart Bauer, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Shelby Newport, lighting by Dana White and sound by Tom Whalen. Thomas Macias is the stage manager and Angie Kane Ferrante is the assistant stage manager.

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. 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.

Tickets go on sale today. 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 The Purple Rose Theatre Company box office at (734) 433-7673 or go online at 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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