CHELSEA, Mich. (September 28, 2023) – The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) announces the first production of their 33rd season, the remount of “Diva Royale” by Jeff Daniels. Tickets are on sale now.

First staged at The Purple Rose in 2018, “Diva Royale” is an evening of side-splitting hilarity that follows three midwestern stay-at-home moms whose love for Céline Dion makes them plan a last minute trip to New York City. With the return of the original cast, this crowd pleasing comedy is guaranteed to make you laugh ’til you cry.

Read EncoreMichigan’s review of the 2018 production.

This production of “Diva Royale” contains adult content and may not be suitable for children under the age of 13. Prior to The PRT’s recent smash production of Pickleball, Diva Royale was the best selling show in the theatre’s history.

Diva Royale playwright and director, Jeff Daniels’ career as an actor, playwright, musician, and director, spans nearly 50 years in the industry. For his acting, Jeff has been nominated for five Golden Globes, five Emmys (winning for “Newsroom” and “Godless”) and three Tonys. He has written twenty full length plays that have world premiered at The Purple Rose. His “Onstage & Unplugged” performances have wowed audiences on The Purple Rose stage with the fundraising proceeds going directly to the PRTC. Jeff’s directing credits include the PRTC production of Lanford Wilson’s “The Hot L Baltimore”(1997) and two of his own plays, “Boom Town”(1998) and now “Diva Royale”. On film, Jeff wrote, directed, and starred in two independent features: “Escanaba in da Moonlight” (2001) and “Super Sucker” (2002), both shot in Michigan.

Performances of “Diva Royale” run from Friday, October 6 through Saturday, December 23, 2023. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available through Thursday, October 12. The press opening is Friday, October 13 at 8:00pm.

Directed by Jeff Daniels, assistant directed by Lucas Daniels, the cast features Connor Allston (Clinton Township), Caitlin Burt (Farmington), Caitlin Cavannaugh (Manchester), Rusty Mewha (Plymouth), Rhiannon Ragland (Flint), Kristin Shields (Ann Arbor), Kate Thomsen (Portage), and Meghan VanArsdalen (Ann Arbor). Set design by Brian D. Dambacher, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Shelby Newport, lighting by Stephen Sakowski and Dana L. White, and sound by Robert W. Hubbard. Karen Anne George is the stage manager.

The production sponsors for “Diva Royale” are Chelsea State Bank, CMRG and Secret Crisis Comics. Underwriting support for the season comes from Michigan Arts and Culture Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and The Matilda R. Wilson Fund. Media sponsors include JTV and Michigan Radio.

Ticket Information

All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118. The performance calendar can be found HERE.

Ticket prices start at $30 with special discounts for seniors, patrons 30 years or younger, members of the military, teachers, and groups (12+). For more information or to make reservations call (734) 433-7673 or go to www.purplerosetheatre.org.

New to the 2023/2024 season, all PRTC productions will be staged in the round; with seating on 4 sides of the stage. This new configuration will add 40 seats to the theater space.