Collected Stories at Rubicon Theatre

Taking place in a modest, book-filled apartment in the West Village of Manhattan, Collected Stories follows the relationship between a professor and her student over the course of six years. Opening with the first interaction outside of the classroom, Lisa Morrison, a talented- yet-insecure student, arrives at the apartment of her professor and idol Ruth Steiner, a respected short story author with a direct disposition. As the two discuss Lisa's recent writing assignment, Lisa's need for approval becomes apparent through reactions to Ruth's frank and insightful comments. The discussion culminates in Lisa's request to become Ruth's personal assistant despite an upfront warning of the position's difficulty. As time progresses, Ruth and Lisa build a mentor/protégé relationship that becomes more personal with every conversation. As the dynamic begins to shift between the two women, Lisa publishes a novel in which she draws liberally from aspects of Ruth's personal life history which raises important questions. As described by director James O'Neil (Rubicon founder and Artistic Director Emeritus), Collected Stories encapsulates, "What we take from each other; what we give to each other; and what we owe each other." Adds O'Neil, "Collected Stories is full of rich insights and will, I know, touch audiences on a profoundly deep level. It is also full of quick-witted, wry humor and is immensely entertaining."