Lanford Wilson's Book of Days, a drama about "faith, friendships and loyalties," will have its world premiere at the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, MI, April 2-May 24. The gala opening benefit is April 11.
In Days, the small town of Dublin, Missouri is rocked by the death of its most prominent citizen in a hunting accident. Starring are Joseph Albright, Sandra Birch, Carey Crim, Randall Godwin, John Hawkinson, John Lepard, Michelle Mountain, Dennis North, Wayne David Parker, Jim Porterfield, Suzi Regan and Lisa Sodman. Purple Rose artistic director Guy Sanville directs.
The last Lanford Wilson play to hit Broadway was Redwood Curtain, a commercial disappointment on Broadway that premiered at Seattle Rep in the 1991-92 season. Since then, Sympathetic Magic played Off Broadway, a double bill of one-acts, Moonshot And Cosmos, played at the now-defunct Circle Repertory Theatre, and Virgil Is Still The Frogboy premiered at Sag Harbor's Bay Street Theatre, Aug. 14, 1996. Other Wilson plays include Talley's Folly, Lemon Sky and The Fifth of July.
For tickets and information on Book of Days at the Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park St., in Chelsea, call (734) 475-7902.
The current show at Purple Rose, Wendy Hammond's Julie Johnson, runs to March 14. Private Eyes by Steven Dietz, will follow Book of Days, June 18-Aug. 9. The theatre company was founded, Feb. 1991, by Jeff Daniels, who serves as President. Daniels named the theatre after the film that financially allowed him to build it, Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo. -- By David Lefkowitz
