Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Carrie Jay Sayer of Dexter teaches aspiring actors how to prepare for a career in professional theater.
For Chelsea High School alumna Carrie Jay Sayer, returning to school and walking the halls after more than 20 years was more of a welcomed homecoming than a job. Sayer, a resident of Dexter and longtime professional actress, was hired as the school's drama director in 2012, and has since spent countless hours transforming the guild into an award-winning program. "It's cool to be back," she said. Sayer directed the CHS fall musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, last year to rave reviews. "It was an awesome musical that drew interest from a large group of students," she said. "Some audiences members told me it was the best show that they'd seen at the high school in years." After the show closed, school officials were so…
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Actors Matthew Gwynn and Michael Brian Ogden shine onstage at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea.
The Purple Rose Theatre Company's world premiere comedy, The Meaning of Almost Everything by Jeff Daniels, is a fun night of entertainment. Meaning revolves around an unspecified time and place, which may be real or may take place in the mind of the characters. Character A (Matthew Gwynn) wants to stay in this place, and Character B (Michael Brian Ogden) tries to convince him to go. During the course of the 70-minute show, the audience is taken on a philosophical journey of questions. The staging and choreography is easily my favorite part of the show. Gwynn and Ogden are so in sync with each other that the physical comedy almost looks effortless. In a play with no distinct plot, it is up to the actors to keep the audience entertained, and…
42.31722
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Purple Rose Theatre Company
137 Park St, Chelsea, MI
/articles/the-meaning-of-almost-everything-is-a-physical-comedy-marvel
2268810
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Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Chelsea businesses will be formally recognized at the chamber's annual membership meeting on Feb. 21.
CHELSEA — Shock quickly turned to smiles and celebratory high fives at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea on Wednesday morning, as members of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce presented the theater with the 2012 Business of the Year award. "I'm just thrilled," said Guy Sanville, artistic director for the theater company. "I don't know what to say. What a great honor to be not only nominated for but also selected as a recipient. It doesn't happen every day." The annual business awards are presented to two chamber members that demonstrate an ability to advocate for the business community and promote and develop a vital business environment in Chelsea, Bob Pierce, executive director of the chamber of commerce said. Businesses are selected …
42.31722
-84.01879
137 Park St, Chelsea, MI
Purple Rose Theatre Company
/articles/chelsea-chamber-of-commerce-honors-purple-rose-theatre-chelsea-lanes-with-business-leadership-awards
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Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The 15th play penned by theater founder and Hollywood actor Jeff Daniels will open on Jan. 18.
The Purple Rose Theatre (PRTC) is stepping outside of its comfort zone in a departure from the more dramatic shows of its 2012 season with the world premiere of The Meaning of Almost Everything. The show is the 13th script written by Chelsea resident and actor Jeff Daniels, and features PRTC veteran actors Michael Brian Ogden and Matthew Gwynn. "This show is a lesson in absurdity," director Guy Sanville said. "It's funny, it's poignant, and it connects with you on a different level." The Meaning of Almost Everything is one of Daniels’ most personal shows to date, Sanville said. The story follows two men, “A” and “B,” who exist in an undefined place and time, a place of safety and comfort, but also a place where nothing happens. One man …
42.31722
-84.01879
137 Park St, Chelsea, MI
Purple Rose Theatre Company
/articles/purple-rose-theatre-ponders-life-s-questions-in-jeff-daniels-comedy-the-meaning-of-almost-everything
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The fundraiser features dinner, music, live auction and a performance of the comedy/drama "Superior Donuts."
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
CHELSEA — The Purple Rose Theatre Company is celebrating its fall production, Superior Donuts, with a Chicago-themed gala event on Nov. 2. The event titled, “A Night in the Windy City - Chicago Style Donut Soiree,” will feature a cocktail hour, fall harvest dinner with vegetarian options, live music, a photo booth, live auction and a performance of Superior Donuts. The event will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Conference Center, located at 1645 Commerce Park Drive in Chelsea. After dinner and the live auction, emceed by Lucas Daniels, guests can ride a trolley car, provided by Tecumseh Trolley & Limousine Service, to the Purple Rose Theatre for an 8:30 p.m. performance of Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts. Following the performance, …
42.31722
-84.01879
Purple Rose Theatre Company
137 Park St, Chelsea, MI
/articles/purple-rose-theatre-hosts-chicago-themed-fundraiser-on-nov-2
2268810
/locations/8010907
Friday, September 14, 2012
The comedy will feature '70s TV actor Randolph Mantooth of NBC's "Emergency!" and a cast of seven to open the theater's 2012 season.
In real life, odd couples can be tiresome with their bickering and bellyaching, but in the theater they're usually a source of comic bliss. At least that's what the actors at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea are hoping for in the company's upcoming production of Superior Doughnuts. The show is set in urban Chicago and follows Arthur Przybyszewski, an aging '60s radical who has just about given up on everything: a social life, the chance of romance, and most of all, his family’s dilapidated donut shop. But when youthful dreamer Franco Wicks walks through the door with plans to reinvent the vandalized storefront, Arthur realizes that life still has more to offer him. "This is just a great story with great characters," director Guy Sanville…
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Aug. 11 fundraiser will feature dinner, a silent auction and performance of "On Golden Pond."
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012
CHELSEA — The Purple Rose Theatre Company will hold a backyard barbecue fundraiser on Aug. 11, beginning at 5 p.m. The barbecue will feature a catered meal with vegetarian options, beer and wine, live music from Rhythm on a Stick steel drum band, and a silent auction. The event will be held in the parking lot behind The Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., in Chelsea. Ticket prices are $60 and $100 per guest. For $60, guests can attend the barbecue and silent auction from 5-7:45 p.m. For $100, guests can attend the barbecue, silent auction, and attend the 8 p.m. performance of On Golden Pond, followed by a dessert and coffeer eception. Catering will be provided by The Moveable Feast and Back to the Roots Café. Various actors from the 2012-…
42.31722
-84.01879
137 Park St, Chelsea, MI
Purple Rose Theatre
/articles/purple-rose-theatre-s-summer-barbecue-fundraiser-serves-up-food-fun
/locations/7509148
Thursday, June 14, 2012
The production will feature actors from Dexter, Farmington Hills and Royal Oak, and will begin on June 29.
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Thursday, June 14, 2012
Editor's note: This press release was submitted by the Purple Rose Theatre Company. CHELSEA — The Purple Rose Theatre Company wraps up its 2011-2012 season with On Golden Pond, by Ernest Thompson. The production will enjoy an 11-week engagement June 21-Sept. 1. On Golden Pond is a charming love story that follows 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. Over 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 every day …
42.31722
-84.01879
137 Park St, Chelsea, MI
Purple Rose Theatre Company
/articles/purple-rose-theatre-closes-2012-season-with-ernest-thompson-s-on-golden-pond
/locations/7200777
Friday, April 13, 2012
'White Buffalo' is a truly amazing example of the creativity that the Purple Rose has built a reputation on.
CHELSEA — The Purple Rose Theatre Company's world premiere production of Don Zoldis' White Buffalo is a touching story of the power of love between a mother and daughter. On the Gelling family farm a white buffalo is born, which, according to an ancient Sioux prophecy, symbolizes the coming of peace on earth and unity of mankind. The rarity of the calf's birth attracts visitors from all over the world, including a mysterious man who offers to purchase the animal. Farm owner Carol Gelling must decide between selling the buffalo to ensure financial security, or risk her relationship with her daughter Abby, who is adamant about keeping the animal. I must admit that the majority of the show's first act was out of my comfort zone. Between the …
42.31722
-84.01879
137 Park St, Chelsea, MI
Purple Rose Theatre Company
/articles/white-buffalo-focuses-on-family-and-folklore
/locations/6786823
Aysha Jamali
9:52 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Have you seen the Theater Guild's performances under Carrie Jay Sayer's lead? more ›