WCT Presents COLLECTED STORIES 12/17

Teachers dream of nurturing students who will one day go beyond them, become greater than they--at least, that's what teachers claim they dream of. But sometimes such success is more bitter than sweet. Such a relationship between teacher and prize student is the subject of Donald Margulies' COLLECTED STORIES Collected Stories, to be performed as a staged reading in Westport Community Theatre's ETC staged-readings series on December 17 at 8:00 PM

Following the shifting relationship between a prominent fiction writer and one of her graduate students over the course of six years, COLLECTED STORIES is a study of two strong characters, as the protégée becomes the rival. The two characters are not only teacher and student; they are also idol and fan. In both these kinds of relationships, the one cannot exist without the other.

But the interdependency can change the dynamics of the relationship, and the play uses its six scenes as a kind of time-exposure picture of that process. The dialogue is witty, incisive, eloquent, moving, as well befits two individuals who create fiction from real emotions and the magic of language. Set in the writer's apartment in Greenwich Village, the play explores the nature of fiction, its relation to life, the morality of art and artists, and the costs of honesty and trust. It is a script rich in ideas and moods, engrossing and lively.

The ETC production is directed by Ruth Anne Baumgartner; the writer-teacher Ruth Steiner is played by Mary Jane Schaefer, and her student-confidante-friend-rival Lisa is played by Jessica Denes.

Coincidentally, Baumgartner teaches writing at the college level. She comments, "Margulies has written with great insight; the characters are absolutely real."

Westport Community Theatre is located at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport. Reservations not necessary, free to all; for questions, contact the Box Office at (203) 226-1983. Refreshments will be served. Fore more information on the theatre, visit www.westportcommunitytheatre.com