Review: Collected Stories (American Blues Theater)

  
  
Collected Stories 

Written by Donald Margulies
Co-Directed by Jessica Thebus
   and MaryAnn Thebus
Richard Christiansen Thtr, 2433 N. Lincoln (map)
thru May 19  |  tickets: $29-$49   |  more info
  
Check for half-price tickets 
  
  
   Read entire review
  

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You won’t want this story to end

American Blues Theater presents

Collected Stories

Review by Katy Walsh 

A writer writing about writers struggling to tell their story has an amusing symmetry.  In an ode to his craft, Playwright Donald Margulies explores multiple themes.  Margulies illustrates the relationship of two writers over a six year period, starting out teacher to student before evolving.  Carmen Roman (Ruth) becomes mentor, employer, mother, contender.  And Gwendolyn Whiteside (Lisa) becomes a writer.  Margulies writes a thought-provoking tale of two women committed to a story.  The conflict arises in the engrossing stories they tell.

The theme of this play – two women coping with the changing dynamic of their relationship – is actually paralleled by the show’s co-directors, Jessica and MaryAnn MaryAnn.  Besides being a director, Jessica is MaryAnn’s daughter.   And besides being an actor, MaryAnn is also a teacher.  The collaboration, their first time co-directing, is the perfect choice for a play about a relationship that goes through a series of changes.  Their combined perspectives make for a multi-layered progression between Roman and Whiteside.  

Initially, Roman plays it laid-back to Whiteside’s zealousness.  Later, Roman is tough to the cowering Whiteside.  And then much later, Roman showcases a vulnerability that is heartbreaking.  Under the direction of the Thebus team, emotions are intense.  The lines are drawn.  And as the audience watches the evolution of the relationship and the shift in power, they try to decipher the true meaning.  The climax becomes a personal moment for the audience.  Who is right?  And who is wrong?  Roman and Whiteside present their sides to a story with strong cases.  The audience make their own determination.  As an older writer, my alliance is to Roman; however, my twentysomething self would be in Whiteside’s corner.  The show becomes virtually interactive as the audience races to come to their own conclusion.  We are so engrossed in finishing the story that the blackout ending is an abrupt surprise.  

Collected Stories is a compelling look into these two women’s lives and the stories they told and wrote.

Rating: ★★★½

Collected Stories continues through May 19th at Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln (map), with performances Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 5pm and 8pm, Sundays 2:30pm.  Tickets are $29-$49, and are available by phone (773-871-3000) or online through VictoryGardens.org (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at AmericanBluesTheater.org.  (Running time: 2 hours, includes an intermission)

Photos by Johnny Knight 

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artists

cast

Carmen Roman* (Ruth Steiner), Gwendolyn Whiteside* (Lisa Morrison)

behind the scenes

MaryAnn Thebus, Jessica Thebus (co-directors), Sarah E. Ross* (set design), Sarah Hughley (lights), Samantha C. Jones*, Kristin DeiTos* (co-costumes), Thomas Dixon (sound), Sarah Burnham* (props), Amanda Herrmann (asst. set design), Arianna Soloway (asst. props), Jonathan Nook (stage management), Brian Claggett (master electrician), Nathan Serviss (tech director), Jacklyn Hosley (general manager), Kelli Marino* (dramaturg), Johnny Knight (photos)

* denotes American Blues ensemble member

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