2008/2009 season set at The Purple Rose Theatre Company

The Purple Rose Theatre Company has made the final selections for its 2008/2009 season beginning in October. The season will feature four plays: Apartment 3A, a modern revival by Jeff Daniels; A Streetcar Named Desire, an American classic by Tennessee Williams; Bleeding Red, a world premiere by Michael Brian Odgen; and Wake, a world premiere by Carey Crim.

Seven low-priced previews will kick off each run, followed by press opening night during the second week of each engagement. All shows will run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea. Plays, titles and dates for the 08/09 season are subject to change.

In the 12 years since the PRTC world premiere production of Apartment 3A by Jeff Daniels, this romantic comedy has aged like fine wine to become funnier and more relevant for the new century. Annie Wilson, director of fund-raising for Public Broadcasting Channel 68, is faced with a series of personal and professional predicaments. In an effort to spice up her life, Annie chooses a new apartment in a different neighborhood and befriends a mysterious next-door neighbor who may hold the secret to a brighter future. Apartment 3A is a comedy with adult language, humor and polar bear love. Directed by PRTC artistic director Guy Sanville, the cast of will include Matthew David (Growing Pretty), PRTC associate artist Michael Brian Ogden (Growing Pretty), PRTC associate artist Rhiannon Ragland (Growing Pretty, When The Lights Come On) and Will David Young (Escanaba In Love, Across The Way). Apartment 3A will run for 10 weeks beginning Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Dec. 20.

This winter, the PRTC presents A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the quintessential gem of American drama made "purple." Set in steamy New Orleans following World War II, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of Blanche DuBois, a fragile woman desperately seeking a place to call her own. Blanche sashays into the home of her sister, Stella, and her volatile husband, Stanley, interrupting the careful balance of their turbulent marriage. The passionate conflict between these three struggling souls provides a thrilling emotional climax not to be missed. Directed by PRTC artistic director Guy Sanville, the cast will feature PRTC resident artist Michelle Mountain (When The Lights Come On, The Subject Was Roses) as Blanche, PRTC associate artist Qarie Marshall (The Poetry of Pizza) as Stanley and PRTC associate artist Charlyn Swarthout (Escanaba In Love) as Stella, with a supporting cast including Matthew David (Growing Pretty), Rhonda English (Born Yesterday, Orphan Train: An American Melodrama), Stacie Hadgikosti (Growing Pretty), PRTC resident artist Grant R. Krause (Growing Pretty, Sea of Fools), Hugh Maguire (Growing Pretty, The Poetry of Pizza), Tristan Peach, PRTC resident artist Phil Powers (Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid, Vino Veritas) and PRTC associate artist Rhiannon Ragland (Growing Pretty, When The Lights Come On). A Streetcar Named Desire will have a nine-week run, from Thursday, Jan. 22 to Saturday, March 21, 2009.

Next spring, PRTC presents the world premiere of Bleeding Red by Michael Brian Ogden, a PRTC associate artist who appeared previously in Growing Pretty. In this ball-kicking comedy with adult humor, the biggest football match in 20 years is about to kick off across the pond in London. Tommy, a confirmed bachelor and passionate Liverpool fan, arrives at his best mate Bobby's flat to discover he's been dumped by his fiancee. Trouble is, Bobby is the linchpin of the all-important pre-game ritual. Tommy must get him to the pub before the game starts, even if it means recruiting the help of another traitorous female, Bobby's fetching sister Sarah. Directed by PRTC artistic director Guy Sanville, the cast will include PRTC associate artist Heidi Bennett, Matthew Gwynn(Growing Pretty), PRTC associate artist Michael Brian Ogden (Growing Pretty) and Matthew David (Growing Pretty). Bleeding Red will have an eight-week engagement beginning Thursday, April 9 through Saturday, May 30, 2009.

Wake by Carey Crim is a world premiere summer comedy for women (and men) of all ages. Abbey Harrison is an agoraphobic mortician, anchored to the safety of her funeral home for over three years. Her vivacious mother and precocious teenage daughter try in their own humorous ways to help her take that first step down the front walk, including hypnosis, sensory-overload therapy and a trip to Moscow. But in the end, Abbey must realize what is truly important in her life before the power of love can finally inspire her to embrace the world again. PRTC artistic director Guy Sanville directs a cast that includes PRTC resident artist Michelle Mountain (When The Lights Come On, The Subject Was Roses) and Stacie Hadgikosti (Growing Pretty). Wake will run for 11 weeks, from Thursday, June 18 through Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009.

Tickets for groups of 12 or more are already on sale for the entire season. PRTC donors can purchase tickets approximately two months before each show opens, with tickets going on sale to the general public two weeks later. Ticket reservations can be made by calling The Purple Rose Theatre Company Box Office at 734-433-7673.