For the last few years, Jeff Daniels — the famous actor and playwright who lives in Chelsea — has had an additional side career as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. He’s done concerts throughout Michigan and around the country, performing his original songs — some funny, some sentimental.

Below, he has some fun with the whole idea in his original song "If William Shatner Can, I Can, Too."

Listen to 'I Can' (MP3).

Daniels’ music career first went public with a series of shows in 2001 at Chelsea’s Purple Rose Theatre Co. — where he serves as executive director — over the winter holiday period. Since then, these “Onstage & Unplugged” shows have become sort of a seasonal tradition.

This year, the Purple Rose will host Daniels in a five-show run of “Onstage & Unplugged” during the summer — Aug. 26-29. Tickets, costing $60 or $75, go on sale to the general public on Aug. 10, although the theater’s annual donors of $250 or more can preorder starting Monday.

Reservations may be made at the Purple Rose web site or at the Purple Rose box office, 734-433-7673. Box-office hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Purple Rose’s current theatrical production, “Wake,” will close early to make way for “Onstage & Unplugged”; it will now close Aug. 22.

The theater is located at 137 Park St., just off Main Street in downtown Chelsea.

Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at bobneedham@annarbor.com.