Jeff Daniels' THE MEANING OF ALMOST EVERYTHING to Play Purple Rose Theatre Company in 2013

The Purple Rose Theatre Company has announced the 2012 / 2013 Season, which will feature two world premieres and two plays by award-winning playwrights. The theatre company's 22nd professional season will include: Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts, the world premiere of The Meaning of Almost Everything by Jeff Daniels, 33 Variations by Moises Kaufman and the world premiere of Miles & Ellie by Don Zolidis.

Eight low-priced previews will begin each run, followed by Press Opening Night during the second week of each engagement. Regular performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm with Saturday matinees at 3:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm with added performance dates to be announced. All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.

Superior Donuts by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Tracy Letts (August: Osage County) kicks off the season. This comedy-drama set in one of ChicagoÕs most diverse neighborhoods, explores the unlikely friendship between a burned-out donut shop owner and his young, idealistic new employee. Superior Donuts will have a thirteen-week engagement from Thursday, September 20 to Saturday, December 15, 2012. Randolph Mantooth (Los Angeles, CA) will star as donut shop owner, Arthur Przybyszewski. Mantooth has been a working television, film and theatre actor for 40 years, and is best known for his starring role in NBCÕs series ÒEmergency!Ó in the 1970s. He is also highly regarded by the emergency response community around the world. He is a spokesperson for both the International Association of Firefighters [IAFF] and the International Association of Fire Chiefs [IAFC] for fire fighter health and safety. Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast also includes Ryan Carlson (Clinton Township, MI), David Daoust (Lansing, MI), Alex Leydenfrost (Ann Arbor, MI), Brian Marable (Detroit, MI), Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake, MI), Michael Brian Ogden (Berkley, MI), Sandy Ryder (Ann Arbor, MI), and Lynch Travis (Dearborn, MI).

The Meaning of Almost Everything pushes the bounds of dramatic realism with this hilarious and sometimes painful exploration of the human condition. A world premiere comedy by PRTC founder Jeff Daniels, this show questions the nature of our world and the absurdity of it all. The Meaning of Almost Everything will run for nine weeks from Thursday, January 10 through Saturday, March 9, 2013. Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast will feature Matt Gwynn (Ypsilanti, MI) and Nate Mitchell (Novi, MI).

Moises Kaufmann's 33 Variations bridges past and present as musicologist Katherine Brandt struggles to solve the mystery behind her professional passion: Beethoven's oft overlooked ÒDiabelli Variations. As she races against time, Katherine not only discovers the true nature of BeethovenÕs work, but gains insight into the other mystery in her life: her daughter. 33 Variations will have a ten-week engagement from Thursday, March 28 through Saturday, June 1, 2013. Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast will feature Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake, MI) as Katherine Brandt, David Bendena (Chelsea, MI), Daniel Britt (Hamilton, OH), Richard McWilliams (Dayton, OH), Michael Brian Ogden (Berkley, MI), Jan Radcliff (Farmington Hills, MI) and Melanie Reihing (Toledo, OH).

Miles & Ellie is the second PRTC premiere by Don Zolidis following the production of his award-winning play White Buffalo. This romantic comedy about young love gone wrong will ask if itÕs possible to get a second chance at your first love. Miles & Ellie will run for eleven weeks from Thursday, June 20 through Saturday, August 31, 2013. Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast will feature Rusty Mewha (Plymouth, MI), Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake, MI), Rhiannon Ragland (Flint, MI), Bill Simmons (Indianapolis, IN), and Cheryl Turski (Royal Oak, MI).

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 professional 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.

Tickets for groups of 12 or more are available for puchase now. PRTC donors can purchase tickets approximately two months before each show opens with tickets going on sale to the general public two weeks later. Ticket reservations can be made by calling The Purple Rose Theatre Company Box Office at (734) 4337643 or online at www.purplerosetheatre.org.

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