I had the pleasure of previewing Collected Stories with Linda Lavin and Sarah Paulson last night at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. It took me back nearly 15 years ago when I first saw the production with the fabulous Maria Tucci, also a Manhattan Theatre Club production. Even then, I remember thinking how unique it was to see a play with such strong female characters taking center stage. The same stands true today as these two remarkable actresses play writer and protege. Their relationship starts out quite civilized and slowly takes a downturn as jealousy and betrayal unfold over the course of the five or six years in which the play spans.
I recently saw another play, Time Stands Still, by playwright, Donald Margulies in the same theater and was equally impressed by the play’s intensity and slow build-up to a dramatic climax. Laura Linney was the lead in that play and played the part as masterfully as Lavin does in this one, and Paulsen for that matter. The casting directors certainly got it right this time with choosing these two phenomenal actresses, as they did in the 90s when the play debuted.
The play takes place in a New York City apartment. It is very much a writer’s enclave, full of books. Santo Loquasto, a set designer, who has worked on many of Woody Allen’s films, clearly understands the life of a writer. Read the article in the New York Times published today about his set and others making their mark on Broadway stages this season.
This show is very reminiscent of “All About Eve, ” a film which has stood out in my mind since I saw it as a teenager. Lavin plays Bette Davis’ role as Ruth Steiner, an aging writer and Paulsen plays Lisa Morrison, Anne Baxter’s role, the young protege who uses everything she learns from her mentor to become successful not thinking of the outcome, nor caring about the fact that she may lose her trust and support.
When the characters first meet in Steiner’s apartment, you immediately get the sense that Lisa emulates Ruth. They are discussing Lisa’s short story, Eating Between Meals, as Ruth gives her advice on how to write. She says she expected a more serious student to walk through her door, although Lisa does have a very austere way about her. Ruth is also very critical of the way Lisa talks as she seems to question everything that she says. For example:
Ruth: Where did you do your undergraduate degree?
Lisa: New Jersey.
Ruth: Where in New Jersey?
Lisa: Princeton.
Ruth laughs at her, tells her to be more direct with her words. Why didn’t she just answer “Princeton”? This is one of the many lessons she will be taught over the next few years. We can tell that Lisa is in awe of her favorite writer, she can list everything she’s ever written, all her collected stories and she wants to learn from her.
Eight months later, we see Lisa going through Ruth’s mail and taking care of her apartment while she’s away. Ruth has hired her as her assistant. It’s during this scene that Lisa tells Ruth how much she intimidates and her and she admits that she needs a mentor, help with her writing.
After that, over time, they develop a relationship and become close friends. They discuss everything from Woody Allen’s scandalous affair in the 90s with his adopted daughter and Ruth shares stories of her youth, including a sordid love affair with a much older man who happened to be a very famous writer. As time goes on, Lisa becomes a published writer and gains literary success and success weighs on her. She tells Ruth after the expectations start to build on her career that “it’s hell being the voice of a generation – I have to cram it all into 180 pages.” She thinks that Ruth is lucky, she had “all that rich Jewish stuff to write about. What do I have? WASP culture.” As their relationship starts to crumble, it becomes clear that Lisa doesn’t really care who she hurts in the process of becoming a successful writer, including Ruth.
My fellow playgoer agreed with me that the script is so tight and poetic that we both hanging onto every word. There is a bit of name dropping and mentions of famous writers and the NYC literary scene, but we didn’t mind. A classic line which brought much laughter from the audience was “Life is too short for the New Yorker.” This audience, probably made up of mostly MTC members, certainly understood what Margulies was talking about.
Lavin is brilliant in this role. It’s apparently a role that she has played many times before and we can see why she has been cast to take the show to Broadway. When she talks, she is funny and witty. Her timing is perfect. When she doesn’t speak and is reacting to one of Paulsen’s lines, her face says it all and tells us everything we need to know about how she is feeling. As the walls slowly come down and she awakens to the betrayal, we see her pain and dismay. I have seen her in numerous plays including “Diary of Anne Frank,” and as always, her portrayal is just spot on.
I also adore Sarah Paulson and she certainly stepped into this production feet first. The first time we see her as a studious student, we see her as very emotional and star-struck. Her transformation into a successful writer who betrays her mentor is startling and effective. She says a lot with her eyes and gives an impassioned performance. I last saw her onstage in “The Gingerbread House” last year about a couple who decide to sel l their children, and this was obviously a very different role. She is a wonderful stage actress.
At the end of the play, after her book is published and the betrayal is revealed, Lisa tells Ruth, “They are not your stories anymore – you gave them to me.” I am really glad that this play was brought back to the stage once again.
Collected Stories is on at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre at 261 West 47th Street. The running time is 2 hours, including one intermission. Visit Telecharge for tickets.
Disclosure: These tickets were provided to me, free of charge, with no requirement or agreement of review requested in turn.
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