New Repertory Theater Presents Collected Stories

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts will present Collected Stories by 2000 Pulitzer Prize playwright Donald Margulies. Collected Stories will run from October 9 through October 30, 2011 in the Charles Mosesian Theater.

"Collected Stories is an absorbing play," states Harriet Sheets, Managing Director, New Repertory Theatre. "Margulies' brilliant exploration of the dynamic relationship between a mentor and her mentee, and how the balance of power shifts between these two characters is sure to enthrall our audience."

"I am really looking forward to delving into this process and exploring these incredibly complex, beautiful characters." says Bridget Kathleen O'Leary. "I think the evolution of Ruth and Lisa's relationship is inevitable and I am fascinated by the decisions each of these women make over the course of the play."

O'Leary adds, "I am most fortunate to work with Liz Hayes and Bobbie Steinbach, two exceptional actors who I've had the great privilege to follow over the past several years. I am also really excited to work with this design team. They will bring Marguiles' world to life in a way that I think our audiences will find rich and compelling.

Collected Stories will be directed by Bridget Kathleen O'Leary. The cast features New Rep favorite Bobbie Steinbach (Darling Divas Deck the Holidays, The Clean House, Romeo and Juliet, A Girl's War, The Waverly Gallery, Stonewall Jackson's House) as Ruth and introduces to the New Rep stage Liz Hayes as Lisa.

Ruth Steiner, a critically acclaimed, seasoned author, takes her student, Lisa, under her wing. What begins as a mentorship flourishes into a deeper maternal friendship. When Lisa becomes a much-admired published writer and uses Ruth's secretive life story for her own novel, the balance of power shifts and the boundaries of their relationship is called into question. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies challenges audiences to answer the questions: Does your story belong to you? Does someone else have the right to tell your story?

New Repertory Theatre presents provocative and intelligent works of both established and emerging playwrights in an intimate setting that involves and engages the audience. New Rep has earned a reputation for Dynamic Productions that honor the writers and feature talented professional actors from the New England Theatre community as well as guest artists from around the U.S. New Rep has received Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for outstanding acting, scenic design, directions, and production. Programming for New Repertory Theatre is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Save this Article to del.icio.us • Digg This Article! • Stumble It!

Follow Us On Twitter