Purple Rose Theater Announces BLEEDING RED 4/9-5/20

The Purple Rose Theatre Company is proud to announce their production of the World Premiere comedy Bleeding Red by Michael Brian Ogden this spring. The production will enjoy a limited eight-week engagement from Thursday, April 9 through Saturday, May 30, 2009.

Six low-price previews of Bleeding Red will be performed from Thursday, April 9, through Thursday, April 16, with the Press Opening on Friday, April 17, 2009. Regular performances for the duration of the engagement are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm with Saturday matinees at 3:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. All performances are held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.
 
In this "ball-kicking" comedy with adult humor, the biggest football match in twenty years is about to kick off across the pond in London. Tommy, confirmed bachelor and passionate Liverpool fan, arrives at his best mate Bobby's flat to discover he's been dumped by his fiancée. Trouble is, Bobby is the linchpin of the all-important pre-game ritual. Tommy must get him on his feet before the game starts, even if it means recruiting the help of another traitorous female, Bobby's fetching sister Sarah.
 
Bleeding Red is the first play from PRTC playmakers playwright Michael Brian Ogden, who describes himself as "a great soccer fan." During his graduate work in the acting program at Wayne State University, Ogden wrote an early draft for a playwriting class and received the Louise Heck-Rabi Scholarship Playwriting Award for his work. After a student production at WSU and informal script workshops, the script came to the attention of PRTC artistic director Guy Sanville when Ogden made his professional acting debut in last season's World Premiere of Growing Pretty by Carey Crim.
 
"What excites me most about directing this new play is the opportunity to work with these extraordinary young people just starting their careers," says Sanville. "New, well-constructed comedies are getting harder and harder to find. Bleeding Red is a timeless comedy with wonderful relationships and a great deal of heart. It has gusto!"
 
Under the direction of Sanville, the cast of Bleeding Red features PRTC associate artists Heidi Bennett (Ann Arbor, MI), Matthew David (Flint, MI), Matthew Gwynn (Farmington Hills, MI), Stacie Hadgikosti (Roseville, MI) and Michael Brian Ogden (Berkley, MI). (Editor's Note: Cast interviews and complete biographies are available by calling 734.433.7782).
 
Design for this production includes set by Vincent Mountain, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Sally L. Converse-Doucette, lighting by Dana White and sound by Quintessa Gallinat. Jessica Garrett stage manages with Michelle DiDomenico as assistant stage manager.
 
Founded in 1991 by acclaimed actor and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company is a leading American theatre dedicated to producing the new American play and creating opportunities for Midwest theatre professionals. The PRTC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional theatre operating under an SPT agreement with the Actors' Equity Association. The PRTC promotes the development of new American theatre and its practitioners, provides valuable educational opportunities for young artists, and, through consistently high quality production values, has earned the respect of both local and National Theatre communities.
 
Ticket reservations can be made by calling the PRTC Box Office at 734.433.7673; Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tickets are also available for purchase online at purplerosetheatre.org.

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