Writers love nothing better than to write about . . . writing. Which is why there’s such a large collection of stories out there about writers who yammer on and on about . . . writing, usually to some dazzled young protege.
“Collected Stories” initially presents itself as just another in this long line of self-congratulatory yarns. But Donald Margulies’ 1997 play ultimately reveals itself to be a much more meaningful, downright “Sleuth”-worthy mystery about literary license and personal betrayal.
Renowned author and professor Ruth Steiner is a typically jaded cynic nearing the end of a brilliant writing career. She’s childless and private. Doting grad student Lisa Morrison is a mousy, obsessive fan-girl who laps up her pearls of wisdom like mother’s milk.
Lisa, equal parts anxious and ambitious, survived her Diablo Cody kind of childhood by escaping into Steiner’s short stories. Now she’s her student, soon to be her assistant, inevitably one day to eclipse her. It’s the order of things. Which is what makes this play about more than writing — it is, as almost every play is — about the need for connection.
At first, the teacher can’t reconcile the silly-looking (and sounding) girl before her as the promising writer she knows her to be on paper. Talk seriously, Ruth orders her, or people won’t take you seriously.
In a neat twist, Ruth is played at the Bas Bleu Theatre by Wendy Ishii, a master teacher of acting at Colorado State University. The grad student is played by new CSU alum Elizabeth Nodich.
Much of the play dwells on Ruth finally opening herself up to this unusual new friend, leading one to believe this might even be a love story. It is, but not in a bedroom kind of way. It’s an emotional bond, but as the friendship blooms over six years, Lisa puts her teacher’s advice to work in ways that will leave Ruth feeling utterly violated.
This leads to all sorts of literary questions of great interest to fellow writers, like who really owns our stories? But I suspect the general audience of “Collected Stories” will be more drawn to the shifting dynamics of the relationship. Gradually the two trade places: It’s Ruth who needs approval for her newest work, while Lisa’s star is on the rise.
Despite all its trappings, this two-character play features two nearly great performances from the veteran Ishii and the wonderfully fresh Nodich, who almost pulls off the arc necessary to deliver the full impact the third act requires. Almost.
Instead, at the end, Lisa is just as broken and wimpy — and she’s still not speaking like a serious person.
If only this were a bit hipper play. In a Diablo Cody world, a young writer with as much talent as Lisa would never be so aggravatingly needy. And by the end, we need to believe there’s a possibility that she has manipulated Ruth for her own gain (and with her teacher’s unspoken permission).
That would sure make the post-play coffee talk a heck of a lot more interesting.
Instead, you feel like the girl just accidentally overstepped. And that makes Ruth come off as just an overreacting shrew.
Margulies’ signature is his unsettling final images. “Dinner With Friends” has a married couple desperately clinging to each other in bed as the lights go down, leaving us not at all sure they will make it.
“Collected Stories” should leave you with that same kind of enigmatic feeling. But without introducing more doubt as to Lisa’s motives, instead it just . . . ends.
John Moore: 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com
“Collected Stories” *** (out of four stars)
Drama. Presented by Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St., Fort Collins, 970-498-8949. Written by Donald Margulies. Directed by Laura Jones. Starring Wendy Ishii and Elizabeth Nodich. Through Oct. 25. 2 hours, 30 minutes. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays. $12-$22. 970-498-8949 or
Best bet: “A Raisin in the Sun”
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Lorraine Hansberry’s classic story a struggling Chicago family torn by how best to spend a $10,000 insurance settlement in 1954. The money could change the lives of three generations of the inner-city Younger family, but Mama’s dream of living in a better neighborhood and her daughter’s plans for medical school clash with her son’s wish to buy into a liquor store. Pride and aspirations, but at what cost? Hansberry’s breakthrough drama resonates loudly with its fearless look at ways to keep the American dream alive. Directed by Israel Hicks.
Stage Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or
Best bet: National touring production of “Wicked”
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The national touring production that tells the untold story of the witches of Oz returns for a third Denver visit. “Wicked” tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard’s corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba’s public fall from grace. The plot is set mostly before Dorothy’s arrival from Kansas, and includes several references to well-known scenes and dialogue in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” as a backstory. Through Nov. 8. Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or
This weekend’s other theater openings
“Broadway Bound” In the final chapter of Neil Simon’s autobiographical “Eugene Trilogy,” the Jerome brothers are late 1940s comedy writers, but their family is breaking up. Through Oct. 25. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., 719-634-5583 or
“Curse of the Werewolf” The Gargoyle House is cursed, and there is a werewolf on the loose. But who can it be? A silly, family-friendly Halloween farce. Through Oct. 25. Arvada Festival Playhouse, 5665 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., 303-422-4090 or
“Haunted” A theatrical exploration of Colorado’s most notoriously haunted locations and uncommon events. Through Nov. 7. Presented by the Firehouse Theater at the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. 1st Place, 303-562-3232 or
“Oliver” Charles Dickens’ tale of an orphan boy’s adventures in the dirty streets of London. Songs include “Consider Yourself” and “I’d Do Anything.” Through Oct. 18. Presented by Performance Now at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, 303-987-7845 7845 or
“The Sunset Limited” In a run-down tenement, two men without names — one black, one white — battle over the nature of existence, using only words as their weapons. By Cormac McCarthy (“No Country For Old Men”). Through Oct. 24. Presented by Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company at the Dairy Center, 2590 Walnut St., 303-440-7826 or boulder
“Why We Have a Body” A surreal comedy about a private investigator specializing in cheating husbands. The play skips freely from airport bars to feminist nightmares to Joan of Arc. Can Lili find meaning in the chaos? Through Oct. 24. Presented by Square Product Theatre at the Dairy Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder,
This week’s video podcast: “Miscast”
Video performance excerpts from Paragon Theatre’s annual fundraiser, “Miscast,” which allows actors to perform from roles they would never otherwise be cast to play. Performers include Tracy Shaffer Witherspoon, Jim Hunt, Mare Trevathan, Karen Slack, John Common, Michael Stricker, Reyna Von Vett, Emily Paton Davies, Tom Borrillo, Missy Moore, Charlie Packard, Steven Burge, Traci Kern, Rachel Fowler, John Arp, Regan Linton and Leonard Barrett. Hosted by Kirk Montgomery from KUSA Channel 9. Filmed Sept. 28, 2009, at the Aurora Fox Theatre. Run time: 13 minutes. Warning: Some profanity.
Complete theater listings
Go to our complete list of in Colorado, including summaries, run dates, addresses, phones and links to every company’s home page. Or check out our listings or
The new-look Running Lines blog
Catch up on John Moore’s roundup of theater news and dialogue. This week: Read about the premature closing of the Aurora Fox’s “The Good Body” over rights issues. .
