The Purple Rose Theatre Company

02 / The story of this place

Make time for these

The Purple Rose was founded in 1991 by actor and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels as a home for new American plays with a Midwestern voice. The building was once a used-car and bus garage owned by Daniels' grandfather; Daniels bought and renovated it in 1989 and later donated it to the theater. A $2.2 million expansion reopened it in January 2001 with 1930s-style decor: Art Deco doors and ticket booth, a marbled-glass chandelier. There are only 168 seats, none more than 20 feet from the stage, so you catch every flicker on the actors' faces. The Equity company produces mostly world premieres; the 2026-27 season is four new plays, opening with Devin Scillian's Bastard, September 24 to December 20, 2026.

• Founded by Jeff Daniels in 1991
• 168 seats, all within 20 feet of the stage
• Bastard, world premiere: Sept. 24 – Dec. 20, 2026

Plan your visit

The theater is at 137 Park St in downtown Chelsea, and the box office number is (734) 433-7673. Regular tickets are $55, but if you're 30 or under it's $30. Ramps and an elevator reach both levels, and there's a hearing loop.

Box office

Box office (734) 433-7673: non-performance weeks Monday–Friday 1–6 p.m.; performance weeks Tuesday–Wednesday 1–6 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 1–9:30 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m. Business office: (734) 433-7782.

Ticket prices

2025–27 pricing: regular $55, previews $48, seniors 65+ $50, groups of 12 or more $48, age 30 and under $30, military, veterans and teachers $50; plus a 5% ticketing fee.

Accessibility

ADA compliant: ramps and an elevator to both levels; wheelchair spaces in the front center row with companion seats behind; the front rows of all three sections are floor level. Evaluated by Wheel the World.