Purple Rose Theatre Company’s world-premiere production of The Classic King has proven so popular that its originally sold-out run has now been extended through March 15. The new play, rooted in Michigan’s auto culture and packed with humor, heart and character-driven storytelling, represents a collaborative effort among director Jeff Daniels, playwright Richard Johnson, and a cast led by actor Owen Squire Smith.
Jeff Daniels on intimacy, authenticity, and ensemble storytelling
Purple Rose founder Jeff Daniels, who also directed the production, approached The Classic King with a strong focus on the theater’s hallmark style — intimate, actor-centered performance. Daniels believes the Purple Rose’s space fundamentally changes how performers connect with audiences.
“Because of the close proximity, the actors can keep their performance between each other, which results in pulling the audience into the play,” Daniel said. “That’s different than having to send what they’re doing to the balcony of a larger venue.”
Balancing comedy with deeper emotional moments was a key part of Daniels’ directorial philosophy. He emphasizes that tonal shifts mirror the unpredictability of everyday life.
“I know the Greeks held up two masks (tragedy and comedy), but I’ve never believed that a play had to be one or the other,” Daniel said. “Like in life, I love the challenge of doing both. When strategically placed, humor can also be used to loosen up the audience, even make them vulnerable, set them up so that when the story pulls the rug out from under them, they fall even harder.”
As a world premiere, the play required close collaboration between Daniels and Johnson, particularly with staging limitations that ultimately shaped the script’s direction and broader touring potential.
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“The Purple Rose can’t stage a play with multiple sets and a cast of twenty. Not only can we not afford it, we don’t have the wing or fly space,” Daniels said. “Because of that, Rick and I had to find a story we could produce not only at the Purple Rose but at regional theatres around the country, facing the same limitations. A play with one set and four actors is one of the first things other Artistic Directors will notice.”
Regional authenticity was another cornerstone of Daniels’ approach, grounding the story firmly in Southeast Michigan.
“Rick (Johnson) knows all about cars and the auto industry in Southeastern Michigan, so any authenticity comes from him,” Daniels said. “We added references to Jackson, Melvindale, even Starlight’s (business) location as being on 11 1/2 Mile Road. That tells the audience that this play is about here, it’s about us, it’s about people you know.”
Daniels also stresses ensemble performance as a defining Purple Rose value.
“Chemistry is nothing more than listening and then reacting,” Daniels said. “At the Purple Rose, we preach, ‘Half of your performance is in the other actor.’ Something they say or do is going to influence what you say or do next. Use them. The less an actor has to manufacture internally, the more honest the portrayal.”
Owen Squire Smith brings fresh perspective to Braden
Actor Owen Squire Smith makes his Purple Rose debut portraying Braden, a newcomer to a car dealership navigating workplace dynamics and personal identity. Smith found immediate parallels between his character and his own experience joining the company.
Smith is originally from Grand Rapids and received a MFA in Acting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a BFA in Acting for the Stage & Screen at Azusa Pacific University in California. He has performed at The Encore Musical Theatre Company, The Barn Theatre and The Clarence Brown Theatre.
Smith’s personal connection helped shape his approach to the character’s emotional authenticity.
“I personally connected with Braden because he is the new guy at the car dealership, while I’m also the new guy at The Purple Rose,” Smith said. “It’s my debut! I approach his humanity by doing my best to tell the truth based on the given circumstances of the story.”
Working alongside both Daniels and Johnson gave Smith unique insight into both performance technique and the play’s industry-specific setting.
“I collaborated with the playwright and director by asking LOTS of questions. I would ask Jeff about acting technique, while I would ask Rick about car knowledge,” Smith said.
Smith notes that audiences have strongly responded to the show’s humor, particularly moments rooted in local culture.
“Moments that generate the biggest laughs for the show involve local car commercials,” Smith said. “I can’t say much more without spoiling it, so come see the show to find out! It’s worth it.”
Beyond entertainment, Smith believes the play resonates because of its strong Michigan identity and universal themes.
“Not only is this an original play, but it’s also about Michigan. Local on many levels! Live theatre is important, and you don’t need to know about cars to enjoy it.”
Playwright Richard Johnson draws from decades inside the auto industry
Playwright Richard Johnson brings authenticity to The Classic King through a long career covering the automotive world as a journalist and editor. Johnson is a retired print editor of Automotive News.
“Spent several years working overseas for the same publication,” Johnson said. “Was inspired to write the play by the people I met and stories I heard covering the auto industry for 35 years and by conversations about possible play ideas with Jeff Daniels.”
Johnson intentionally focused on character-driven storytelling, citing major theatrical influences.
“Yes, I was definitely intending to portray the human characteristics and daily interactions of the four characters, and Glengarry Glen Ross was a major influence,” Smith said. “It is my favorite play since the mid-century works of Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. Not just the characterizations and language, but the story structure of Glengarry.”
The writing and rehearsal process was more than a collaborative effort between Johnson and Daniels.
“The word collaboration hardly describes it,” Johnson said. “I worked very closely with Jeff during the writing and tried to help in any way I could during the rehearsals — suggesting new lines where needed, consulting on cutting lines when necessary to keep the story on track.”
Johnson’s goal was to create dialogue that felt genuine to the people who inspired the story.
“Well, I tried to make the characters sound like the people I got to know in the industry, both the profane and the profound stuff,” Johnson said.
Seeing the finished production come to life at Purple Rose left Johnson deeply impressed.
“The Purple Rose is an incredibly professional operation. So many smart, dedicated people. I was truly in awe.”
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
