Purple Rose Theatre Announces 21st Season Lineup

Editor's note: This press release was provided by the Purple Rose Theatre Company.

The Purple Rose Theatre Company will begin its 21st season Sept. 22 with a revival of Escanaba In Da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels.

Escanaba premiered at the Purple Rose in 1995, setting record attendance numbers.

The comedy follows Reuben Soady on the opening day of deer season. Soady is hoping to get his shot and shed the mantle of “the buckless yooper.” But before dawn approaches, a series of weird occurrences and crazy locals will threaten Reuben’s ultimate goal.

The comedy will feature original cast members Wayne David Parker as Jimmer Negamanee and Jim Porterfield as Albert Soady.

Escanaba In Da Moonlight will run for 13 weeks through Dec. 17.

The season will continue with A Stone Carver by William Mastrosimone. This comedy is a touching tribute to fathers and sons. The story centers on Agostino, a retired stonemason who is being evicted from his home to make space for a highway. When he barricades himself in the house, his son Raff must persuade him to leave the house and all the memories attached to it. The show will run from Jan. 19-March 10, 2012.

The third show of the season is White Buffalo by Don Zolidis. White Buffalo received a 2011 Edgerton Foundation New American Play award and won the 2004 Princess Grace award for playwriting. Based on actual events, the play tells the story of a white buffalo calf born on a small farm in southern Wisconsin, heralding a Sioux prophesy of peace on Earth and unity to all mankind. The farm quickly becomes a hotbed of spiritual outpouring beyond the scope of the Gelling family's small-town life. When a mysterious businessman offers to buy the calf, Carol must decide whether the calf signals the end of her hardships or the beginning of her enrichment. White Buffalo will run from March 29-June 2, 2012.

The final show of the season is On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson. The show centers on Ethel and Norman Thayer as they return to their summer home in Maine. Their respite is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of their estranged daughter, her fiancé and his teenage son. During the course of the summer, an unlikely friendship develops between Norman and the boy, which sparks a renewed zest for life in the Thayer family. In the twilight years of marriage, Ethel and Norman rediscover the joy and romance of everyday living.

On Golden Pond will run from June 21-Sept. 1, 2012.

Eight low-priced previews will start each show's run, followed by press opening night during the second week of each engagement. Regular performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday with matinees at 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday during each show's run. All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea.

Tickets may be ordered online or by calling 734-433-7673.