CHELSEA—The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) will host its 5th Annual Backyard BBQ benefit on Sunday July 23, 2017 from 4:00–9:00 p.m. at the Chelsea Fairgrounds, 20501 W Old US Hwy 12 in Chelsea, MI.

The PRTC grand auction item is a priceless opportunity to have theater founder, Jeff Daniels, perform a private concert at your home. Gather your friends and family and enjoy this 75-minute live concert and Q & A session. Restrictions apply and will be outlined on the auction website.

“Playing a house concert is a great way for people to support The Purple Rose,” Jeff Daniels said. “This ‘Unplugged House Concert’ will also include a question & answer session, giving folks a chance to hear what it’s been like to live the life of an actor for over forty years. Right in their living room. Or backyard. Or driveway. Good for The Purple Rose, plus I get to play. And I love doing both.”

Mobile bidding for this once-in-a-lifetime item and other silent auction items will begin July 15 at 10 a.m. at www.PurpleRose.Gesture.com for those who pre-register. You do not have to be present at the Backyard BBQ to bid or win this special live concert item. For those in attendance, auctioneer Jim Brandstatter will give the play-by-play updates live at the event.

Tickets to the 5th Annual Backyard BBQ are $135 per person. With a 1940s flair, the evening will include dinner, strolling social with games, live music, a display of classic cars from the ‘30s and ‘40s, a performance and preview of the PRTC’s next season, silent and live auctions.

Tickets can be purchased by calling The Purple Rose at 734-433-7782, ext. 29 or online at www.purplerosetheatre.org. The tax-deductible portion of each ticket is $63. Additional information can be found by going to www.purplerosetheatre.org/2017-backyard-bbq/.

Other auction items include one week in an exquisite Paris apartment, custom diamond and amethyst earrings by Austin & Warburton, “Dumb & Dumber” film props used by Jeff Daniels, a trip for two to the 69th Annual Emmy Awards hosted by Stephen Colbert, an exclusive NFL-VIP experience for four with sideline passes and brunch for Lions v. Falcons, tickets to the 2018 Masters Golf Championship, Broadway packages, dinner for 4 on the set of the PRTC’s production of “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear,” and a South African photo safari for two at Zulu Nyala Game Reserve (location for “I Dreamed of Africa” starring Kim Basinger).

Proceeds from the event will support the theatre’s 26th season, its apprentice program and educational/outreach programs serving diverse communities in the region.

Additional sponsorships for the fundraiser are still available:  contact Gerie Greenspan by phone at 734-433-7782, ext. 15 or email geriegreenspan@purplerosetheatre.org.