Purple Rose Theatre Announces 2012-2013 Season

The Purple Rose Theatre Company announced its 2012-2013 season lineup this week, 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 Moisés Kaufman and the world premiere of Miles & Ellie by Don Zolidis.

Eight low-priced previews will begin each run, followed by opening night during the second week of each engagement. Regular performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Superior Donuts kicks-off the season. This comedy-drama set in one of Chicago’s 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 13-week engagement from Sept. 20 to Dec. 15.

Randolph Mantooth of Los Angeles, Calif., 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 NBC’s series “Emergency!” in the 1970s. Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast also includes Ryan Carlson (Clinton Township), David Daoust (Lansing), Alex Leydenfrost (Ann Arbor), Brian Marable (Detroit), Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake), Michael Brian Ogden (Berkley), Sandy Ryder (Ann Arbor), and Lynch Travis (Dearborn).

The Meaning of Almost Everything pushes the boundaries of dramatic realism with this hilarious and sometimes painful exploration of the human condition. A world premiere comedy by Purple Rose 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 Jan. 10 through March 9. Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast will feature Matt Gwynn (Ypsilanti) and Nate Mitchell (Novi).

Moisés Kaufman’s 33 Variations bridges past and present as musicologist Katherine Brandt struggles to solve the mystery behind her professional passion: Beethoven’s oft overlooked “Diabelli Variations.” As she races against time, Katherine not only discovers the true nature of Beethoven’s work, but gains insight into the other mystery in her life: her daughter. 33 Variations will have a 10-week engagement from March 28 through June 1, 2013.

Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast will feature Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake) as Katherine Brandt, David Bendena (Chelsea), Daniel Britt (Hamilton, Ohio), Richard McWilliams (Dayton, Ohio), Michael Brian Ogden (Berkley), Jan Radcliff (Farmington Hills) and Melanie Reihing (Toledo, Ohio).

Miles & Ellie is the second Purple Rose 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 it’s possible to get a second chance at your first love. Miles & Ellie will run for 11 weeks from June 20 through Aug. 31, 2013. Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast will feature Rusty Mewha (Plymouth), Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake), Rhiannon Ragland (Flint), Bill Simmons (Indianapolis), and Cheryl Turski (Royal Oak).

For tickets or more information about the Purple Rose's upcoming season, visit www.purplerosetheatre.org.