Ruth Steiner is a celebrated New York author with a dry wit and a distinguished career who shares the stage with a bright-eyed young protégé, Lisa Morrison. As their relationship evolves and the line between fact and fiction starts to blur, their fascinating story comes to an explosive conclusion.
What Is the Story of Collected Stories?
A student-teacher conference grows into a complicated professional odyssey for a famous fiction writer and her protégé in Donald Margulies’ thought-provoking play. Set in author Ruth Steiner’s rambling, book-filled Greenwich Village apartment, the action begins when Lisa Morrison arrives to have Ruth critique one of her short stories. The starstruck graduate student soon becomes Ruth’s personal assistant, and over the course of six scenes spanning six years, the mentor-mentee relationship gets turned on its head.
"Linda Lavin raises an eyebrow and communicates more than a lesser actor might squeeze from a long monologue. She knows this woman down to her fingertips, investing Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies’ words with a piercing truth. Sarah Paulson gives an effective performance. Her teary earnestness in the climactic scene rings true."
The New York Times
Charles Isherwood
"Lovingly directed by Lynne Meadow, Donald Margulies delivers an engrossing play with characters that are interesting, intelligent women."
Newsday
Linda Winer
"An exemplary revival of an engrossing play in the expert hands of Linda Lavin and Sarah Paulson. Lavin is a joy to watch. She gives one of those complete, nuanced performances with astonishing fidelity. Paulson is a fine actress giving an adept, profound portrait."
Associated Press
Michael Kuchwara
"Funny, powerful and satisfying with sensitive direction by Lynne Meadow. Linda Lavin is brilliant and commanding as Ruth Steiner, while Sarah Paulson is very good as Lisa Morrison."
The Bergen-Record
Robert Feldberg
"Linda Lavin is brilliant. She’s a marvel to watch in this splendid Manhattan Theatre Club production. Lynne Meadow skillfully guides the cast through Margulies’ absorbing exploration of power, betrayal and morality."
New York Daily News
Joe Dziemianowicz