COLLECTED STORIES
WRITTEN BY PULITZER PRIZE WINNER DONALD MARGULIES
Jeff Recommended
Named “Hottest Ticket – On the Town” in Chicago Tribune by Chris Jones
“TOP LIST – Highest Rated Shows in Chicago” –Theater in Chicago
“WHIP-SMART! THREE & 1/2 STARS (out of 4)! American Blues Theater production is so darn on-the-money! Delicious and admirably honest couple of hours…Deftly explored, intimate, classy, involving, well-acted production.” –Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“FIVE STARS (out of 5)! MUST SEE ‘STORY’! Incredible production! American Blues Theater, one of Chicago’s pioneers, just keeps getting stronger. Masterful set designed by Sarah E. Ross and solid lighting by Sarah Hughey!” –Alan Bresloff, Around the Town
“This production culminates in a knock-down, drag-out that leaves welts.” –Tony Adler, Chicago Reader
“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! You’d be hard pressed to find a finer acted play than ‘Collected Stories’! Mary Ann Thebus and Jessica Thebus put their subtle touches on this marvelous drama.” –Tom Williams, Chicago Theatre Review
“[Carmen Roman & Gwendolyn Whiteside] Together, these two talented women plow this strikingly raw and honest production. Co-directors [Mary Ann & Jessica Thebus] ensure that each moment is infused with a deep sense of honesty and investment.” –Zach Freeman, Newcity Chicago
“You won’t want this story to end! The emotions are intense…the lines are drawn. The climax becomes a personal moment for the audience. THREE & 1/2 STARS (out of 4)!” –Katy Walsh, Chicago Theatre Beat
“Perfected Stories! Thriving performances…two actresses at the top of their game and directors who flood the stage with nuance. Both Roman and Whiteside are the epitome of what critics refer to when we say ‘multi-layered’.” –Tony Frankel, Stage & Cinema
Performance Info
Previews April 19 -21, Opens April 25, through May 19
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays @ 8pm
Saturdays @ 5pm (May 11 & May 18)
Sundays @ 2:30pm
at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater,
2433 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Box Office
Call (773) 871-3000
$19-$49.
Town Halls
We offer free post-show events:
April 28: Attorney Bart Lazar on Intellectual Property
May 5: “Thoughts on Retirement, Gender, & Age” with Dr. Mark Bilkey
May 12: “A Conversation with Co-Director Mary Ann Thebus”
May 19: “A Discussion with Carmen Roman & Gwendolyn Whiteside”
Synopsis
Collected Stories chronicles the relationship between two female writers: Ruth Steiner (Carmen Roman), a celebrated New York author with a dry wit and a distinguished career and her bright-eyed young protege, Lisa Morrison (Gwendolyn Whiteside). As their relationship evolves and the line between fact and fiction starts to blur, their fascinating story comes to an explosive conclusion. Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies spans six years in six heartfelt, tightly written scenes in a two-character tour-de-force that the New York Times declares an “Engaging tale of aesthetics and ethics with intelligence and sharp, literate humor.”
Artists
Cast: Carmen Roman* & Gwendolyn Whiteside*
Explore the Artists
Production: Donald Margulies (playwright), Mary Ann Thebus (co-director), Jessica Thebus (co-director), Sarah E. Ross* (scenic), Sarah Hughley (lights), Samantha C. Jones* & Kristin DeiTos* (co-costumes), Thomas Dixon (sound), Sarah Burnham* (props), Jon Nook (stage management), and Kelli Marino* (dramaturg).
*American Blues Theater Ensemble
Outreach
American Blues Theater holds a book and hand-held reading device drive for the neediest libraries in the Chicago Public Schools during the entire run. We will also teach at the Jack Ehrlich Literacy Center in the Anixter Center. We continue our Pink Previews for the Lynn Sage Foundation.
