Hope for Corky comes from the pen of Randall Godwin, a Michigan character actor who has long been part of the Equity Purple Rose talent garden. The comedy runs nine weeks to May 31. Previews began April 3.

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The work is billed as "an irreverent new comedy that dares to celebrate saying goodbye to this world. With equal parts wit and compassion, Hope for Corky lampoons bumbling doctors, relentless media sensationalism and judicial indifference while maintaining a deeply humanitarian perspective. Radio journalist Brian Blessing, who specializes in the 'warm and fuzzy' side of the news, finds himself diagnosed with a serious illness while breaking a local story about a heroic lost dog named Corky. As Brian searches for solutions to his health dilemma, his journey takes alternately hilarious and poignant turns along the way. Despite his best efforts, his life becomes relentlessly tangled with the never-ending search for the larger-than-life canine, Corky. With a little help from his friends, he finally realizes that clinging to life's little obstacles is making him miserable; true happiness comes from having the faith to let go of his problems and fears."

Ryan Carlson heads the cast as Brian Blessing. Kate Peckham (PRTC's HOT L BALTIMORE) returns to the Purple Rose stage as his best friend, Audrey; with Ann Arbor native Bess Miller as The Girl. Teri L. Clark, Jim Porterfield, Elizabeth Ann Townsend and Tobin Hissong play ensemble roles.

Hope for Corky marks the professional full-length premiere for both playwright Randall Godwin and director Michelle Mountain. Godwin and Mountain have been PRTC resident artists since the program began in 1998. Performances play The Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, MI, 60 miles west of Detroit. The small town is where Daniels grew up and still maintains a home. Daniels play, Across the Way, which premiered at PRTC, was a finalist for the 2003 American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg Award earlier this year. The winner in that race was Anna in the Tropics, by Nilo Cruz, who also won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for the work.

For ticket information, call (734) 433-ROSE (7673).