The Purple Rose Theatre Opens 27th season with GOD OF CARNAGE

In 2009 Jeff Daniels was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in "God of Carnage," the Broadway hit that won Best Play that year. This month The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC), which was founded by Daniels, brings "God of Carnage" to Chelsea.

"There aren't many theatres in the country that can mount a Broadway play that was performed by its founder," said Daniels. "I'm thrilled The Rose is doing Carnage. Not only will it bring back a lot of great memories for me, but for the audience the play is a laugh riot, a verbal circus of emotions, and a primer for what can happen when a couple makes the fatal mistake of parenting someone else's child. Personally, I can't wait to see it."

Tickets are on sale now. The production runs Thursday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available through Thursday, Oct. 6; opening night is Friday, Oct. 7. The play contains adult language and content.

In this dark comedy by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, a playground clash between 11-year old boys throws together two sets of parents for a meeting to resolve the dispute; a civilized get-together that turns swiftly and hilariously into a battle pitting couple against couple, husbands against wives, spouse against spouse.

Director and Resident Artist Lauren Knox, who made her PRTC directorial debut with "The Odd Couple" last year, met with Daniels and Artistic Director Guy Sanville before rehearsals began. "Jeff gave us the original script with all the notes, the motivations, the rhythms," she said. "He also reminded me that we were going to make it our own. We're not trying to replicate the original Broadway production; this is going to be a Purple Rose show."

The cast features Resident Artists Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake) and Rusty Mewha (Plymouth), Kate Thomsen (Portage), and PRTC newcomer Paul Stroili (Chicago, IL). Set design is by Bart Bauer, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Shelby Newport, lighting by Dana White and sound by Tom Whalen. Angie Ferrante is the 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 National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and the Matilda R. Wilson Fund.

Ticket Information

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.

About The Purple Rose Theatre Company

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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