Four Pets Escaping the Vet in Purple Rose Theatre’s Summer Comedy
announces the final production of their 34th season, “Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet” a World
Premiere comedy written by Matt Letscher. Tickets are on sale now.
Four pets in a veterinarian’s waiting room plan an escape when they suspect one of them
is in danger. A comedy about what it means to truly be free.
This production of “Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet” contains adult content and may not be
suitable for children under the age of 13.
A Michigan native and proud Wolverine, “Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet” playwright, Matt
Letscher, began writing for PRTC in 2006 with his Red Scare farce, “Sea of Fools.” An
award-winning playwright and actor, his play “Demolition” garnered the 2025 StageRaw
Award for Best Playwriting after an extended run in LA and “Gaps in the Fossil Record”
received the 2015 Edgerton Foundation’s New Play Award for its production at the Purple
Rose. As an actor, Matt has appeared on Broadway and regionally in the world premieres
of plays by Neil Simon, Howard Korder, Julia Cho, Jeff Daniels, Kate Robin, Beth Henley
and Lanford Wilson. He’s been a company member of Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice,
California for 25 years, appearing in productions of “Tonight at 8:30,” “On Approval”, and
“Cigarettes and Chocolate” and receiving an LADCC Best Actor Award for the title role in
“Anatol.” Film credits include Michael Bay’s “13 Hours,” Spike Jonze’s “Her,” Martin
Campbell’s “The Mask of Zorro” and the upcoming indie, “Shattered Ice.” TV credits
include series regular and recurring roles on “Narcos: Mexico,” “The Alienist,” “The Flash,”
“Legends of Tomorrow,” “Scandal” and the recent spinoffs “Suits: LA” and “Georgie and
Mandy’s First Marriage.” Matt is thrilled to be returning to the Purple Rose and deeply
grateful for its support through the years.
Directed by Rhiannon Ragland, the cast features Mark Colson* (Detroit), Jamie Elvey*
(Okemos), Maria Ru-djen* (Royal Oak), John Seibert* (Ann Arbor), Meghan VanArsdalen*
(Ann Arbor), Jonathan West* (Belleville). Set Design by Sarah Pearline, Properties Design
by Danna Segrest, Costume Design by Shelby Newport, Lighting Design by Noele
Stollmack, Sound Design by Brad Phillips. Stefanie Din* is the Stage Manager and Mary
Toth* and Jennifer Lowe* are the Assistant Stage Managers.
*Denotes members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and
stage managers in the United States.
Performance Schedule:
Performances of “Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet” at The Purple Rose run from Friday, June 20
through Sunday, August 31, 2025. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available
through Thursday, June 26, with talkbacks June 20-25. The press opening is Friday, June
27 at 8:00pm.
Special Events and Partnerships
On select Thursdays, July 3, 10, & 24 and August 7, 14, & 28 at 4:30-6:30pm, there will be
adoption events located at the Purple Rose in partnership with Cascades Humane
Society. Animals available for adoption will be on site at the theatre.
On the Saturday evening performance of August 2nd, there will be a “30s & 40s Meetup
Night,” a mixer with discounted tickets for anyone age 30-49 to make new friends with a
cocktail hour and food truck at Ugly Dog Distillery (Chelsea, MI), followed by the
performance. Those interested can call the Box Office at (734) 433-7673 to reserve a
ticket.
For more information about these special events, email ![]()
caitlin@purplerosetheatre.org.
Ticket Information
Performances are Wednesday – Sunday 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.
About The Purple Rose Theatre Company
Founded in 1991 by actor, director, playwright, musician, and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels,
The Purple Rose Theatre Company is a professional, unionized theatre and creative
home for local Michigan artists to produce original American plays. At the PRTC, patrons
experience an intimate encounter with live theatre without breaking the bank. Broadway
quality at Midwest prices.
This season, The Purple Rose is leading with smart comedy: plays that allow audiences to
feel good, laugh, and just maybe get a message out of it too.
The Purple Rose also provides preview talk-backs, free play readings, and ticket
donations to local fundraisers. It commissions new work from established and early-career
playwrights. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre, the PRTC operates under a
Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association.