TOP 11 LIST OF 2005
PRODUCTIONS
By Steven Leigh Morris,
January 12, 2006
7. Collected Stories Most theater folk are
familiar with Donald Margulies’ much praised two-hander about the tension
that grows when a writing student outshines her teacher by “borrowing” from
the mentor’s personal memories. The beauty in MagnaCarta Theater Company’s
revival lay in exquisite performances by Jayne Taini and Karen Zumsteg,
complemented by the lovingly detailed production design.
COLLECTED STORIES - LA Weekly Recommended
Written by Steven Leigh Morris, November 10, 2005
Most theater folk know of Donald Margulies’ acclaimed two-hander about a series of meetings between an accomplished but lonely Jewish professor of creative writing and a seemingly mousy yet precocious gentile student. The youth incorporates her mentor’s most treasured personal memory into a career-boosting novel, leaving her teacher in the dust. Aside from being a brilliant study of intellectual property rights and professional envy, the play also grapples with the more heady, epistemological question of what happens to the sanctity of a life experience when it finally gets told, when the private becomes public. Director Jessica Zweiman’s loving revival is rich in naturalistic detail, visualized in Christina Hulen’s NYC apartment set. But the play’s aching beauty hangs on Jayne Taini’s glorious performance as the teacher, on her throaty, glimmer-eyed confidence that seeps away with the onset of illness and betrayal. As her foil, Karen Zumsteg’s fawning student convincingly captures the dueling qualities of naiveté and intelligence, so that even her most self-serving rationalizations become legitimate arguments in the moral debate.
MagnaCarta Theater Company at Deaf West Theater, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., N. Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Nov. 13. (818) 450-0775.
‘Collected Stories’ Shines with Sparkling Dialogue
Written by Beth Temkin, October 12, 2005
MagnaCarta Theatre Company, in association
with Crave Productions, presents 1997 Pulitzer Prize finalist, “Collected
Stories,” by Donald Margulies. The play is intellectually stimulating, and
well-cast, with Jayne Taini as Ruth Steiner, a prominent short—story writer
in her late 50s, and Karen Zumsteg as her adoring young protégée, Lisa
Morrison. The dialogue sparkles throughout the six scenes covering six years
of their relationship.
Starting off with a visit by Lisa to Ruth’s Greenwich Village apartment, to
have Ruth critique a story she has submitted, Lisa is effusive in her joy
over being in the presence of her idol, and Ruth loses patience with Lisa’s
exuberance. However, Ruth soon offers Lisa a job as her assistant. Rather
like the character Eve in the film “All About Eve,” Lisa in her fawning
innocence takes to heart Ruth’s declaring: “I don’t care what the basis of
the story is as long as it’s a good story,” with her ambition sadly
affecting the final
scene of the play.
Taini as Ruth shows remarkable toughness and vulnerability, and is
mesmerizing as she recalls her first love affair at age 22 with Delmore
Schwartz. Pretty blue- eyed Zumsteg’s Lisa grows from a girlish and insecure
student to a confident published author, although through devious means.
Directed by Jessica Zweiman, the two-hour play moves swiftly. Notable is the
artistic living room set, with roll-top desk, flowered paintings on the wall
and large baskets of newspapers and catalogs surrounding a flowered sofa,
set design by Christina Hulen. Familiar popular standards were provided
between scenes by sound designer David Zumsteg.
“Collected Stories” is playing at the Deaf West Theatre, 5112 Lankershim
Blvd. in North Hollywood thru Nov. 13. Show times are Thursdays to Saturdays
at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more
information call (818) 450-0775.
COOL AND "COLLECTED"
Written By Sara Daniels, October 20, 2005
I suppose the fact that
“Collected Stories” won the L.A. Ovation Award for Best Production of a Play
in 1999 should have been my first clue that it would be good. However, while
I love going to the theater, I have to admit that I am often hesitant to
attend small productions. Whether it’s a tiny budget, an amateur cast or
makeshift costumes and sets, there tends to be an element of “theatrical
magic” that’s missing in the under-99-seat arena. It’s rare that I get
caught up in a simple play the same way I do in a production-heavy
performance.
To add to my bias, the title of the play originally sounded to me like a
series of one-act plays or vignettes (the lowest of low-budget theater). In
reality, it’s actually one cohesive plot with only two actors. The title
refers to the literary careers of the play’s two women and their first big
sellers, which (in both cases) were books of collected stories.
Having come to the
production with my stubborn prejudices, it was clear that the MagnaCarta
Theatre Company would have to do something very special to win me over. So,
I was shocked when “Collected Stories” so quickly swept me away. The play
was gripping it captured my attention early and held it the entire time.
This small play in a little black-box theater definitely had big-time
“theatrical magic.”
When the lights came up, it was 1990. A heavy-set woman in her
mid-fifties yelled out the living room window of her comfortable New York
City apartment. She tossed her keys down to the sidewalk to the willowy
student who had come for a tutoring session. The typical teacher/student
story unfolded: jaded, stately, intelligent mentor brings the best out of
naïve, flappable, immature protégé. They ware engaging, but predictable.
By Scene Two, though, the characters had changed significantly ... and just
kept right on going. (Good thing, too, since neither is particularly likable
at first.) Throughout the play’s six scenes, which span six years, the
changing relationship between Ruth and Lisa and their evolving personal
progressions are continually surprising. As soon as Lisa loses her
Valley-girl accent and Ruth stops being stuffy, they both become
irresistible.
Both actresses hold their own and shine equally. Karen Zumsteg does a
remarkable job with character growth as Lisa Morrison, a writing student in
grad who has idolized Ruth Steiner and worshiped her work. It was certainly
no easy task to hold her own against powerhouse Jayne Taini, but Zumsteg
(even as a flighty twenty-something) leveled the playing field. Jayne Taini
gives a Broadway-caliber performance as Ruth Steiner, a Jewish literary
legend turned Columbia University professor. Taini is infectious. You can’t
help but smile, nod, and ignore her ringing telephone right along with her.
At one point, I blushed when (in a particularly funny scene) Ruth referred
to the “kind of self-congratulatory laughter that lets the whole audience
know that you got it” and sure enough, I was the one laughing.
The play’s promotional material boasts that female friendship is, “an area
not often exposed to witnesses.” That might not seem like any big deal until
you consider that “Collected Stories” was written by a man. Playwright
Donald Margulies must have been a fly on the wall in order to write Act Two.
In one of the play’s incredible moments, a bitter argument erupts into one
of the most realistic scenes between two women that I’ve ever seen. It’s no
wonder that this play made Margulies a Finalist for the 1997 Pulitzer Prize
Award for Drama (after its production at the Manhattan Theatre Club starring
Debra Messing and Maria Tucci).
As Lisa gains notoriety among Ruth’s literary peers, does Lisa honor her
teacher or betray her? I’m not telling and you only have three more weeks to
find out for yourself.
Collected Stories
Examines Values
Written by Mary Mallory, October 14, 2005
An excellent, emotional examination of
character, relationships and creativity, MagnaCarta Theatre Company and
Crave Productions’ presentation of Collected Stories contains
exceptional acting and fine production work. It explores two women’s
friendship as they each struggle to make their own mark on the world. The
production also asks the question: what honor, respect, and integrity do
writers extend to each other?
Donald Margulies’ thoughtful play examines the developing relationship
between callow graduate student Lisa Morrison (Karen Zumsteg) and her
respected, successful professor Ruth Steiner (Jayne Taini). Ruth gradually
comes to view Lisa as the daughter she never had as the relationship grows
increasingly personal and friendly. As Lisa gains confidence and skill, will
she honor her education and guidance, or betray Ruth’s moral principles?
Director Jessica Zweiman draws fine performances from both her actors,
particularly Taini. Displaying an emotional fire and directness, she
passionately brings Ruth alive. Fierce, strong, expressive, she acts as the
play’s moral compass and grows more emotional as she becomes more vulnerable
from both intimacy and health issues.
Zumsteg makes Lisa likable beneath her superficial charm and self-serving
attitude. A nervous chatterbox as the play begins, she grows increasingly
confident and manipulative as it progresses.
Production work is also first rate, from Cricket Sloat’s fine, mood
enhancing light work to David Zumsteg’s good blending music and sound to
Christina Hulen’s cozy Greenwich townhome set.
An emotional, provocative journey through the creative process, friendship,
and what it means to be a writer, Collected Stories features
excellent acting and production values. It presents a thought-provoking
story that questions what moral and ethical responsibilities writers owe in
the sharing and writing of their stories as well as their friendships with
each other.