Photo Flash: First Look at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's COLLECTED STORIES

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) presents COLLECTED STORIES by Donald Margulies, now through December 16, 2012, in collaboration with Forward Theater Company of Madison. In COLLECTED STORIES two strong-willed writers from dramatically different backgrounds struggle with success. MCT has also produced Margulies' plays Brooklyn Boy (2009) and his Pulitzer Prize-winner DINNER WITH FRIENDS (2003). COLLECTED STORIES performs in the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

COLLECTED STORIES begins in 1990 and renowned short story writer Ruth Steiner has become a recluse in Greenwich Village. Enter Lisa Morrison, her bright-eyed young protégée. Over the next six years, under Ruth's tutelage, Lisa advances from insecure student to faithful assistant to successful writer. As the relationship between the two women evolves, their fascinating story comes to a dramatic conclusion.

MCT Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright directs two Wisconsin-based actresses in COLLECTED STORIES, American Players Theatre company member Sarah Day (A THOUSAND WORDS, THE DESERT QUEEN, MADAME DE SADE) and Laura Frye (CRIMES OF THE HEART).

COLLECTED STORIES is MCT's second collaboration with Madison's Forward Theater Company. MCT opens the show at the Broadway Theatre Center, November 21 – December 16, 2012. Then the entire production (cast, set, costumes, etc.) moves to Madison for a run at the Overture Center, January 17 – February 3, 2013. Last season the two companies collaborated on the world premiere of A THOUSAND WORDS (January - March, 2012) with runs in Madison and Milwaukee.

COLLECTED STORIES premiered in 1996 at South Coast Repertory in California and debuted off- Broadway in 1997. PBS produced a film version of the play in 2002, starring Linda Lavin and Samantha Mathis. COLLECTED STORIES had its first Broadway production in 2010, starring Linda Lavin and Sarah Paulson. Actresses including Debra Messing, Uta Hagen and Helen Mirren have also performed in various productions of COLLECTED STORIES.

Donald Margulies is an award-winning playwright and currently serves as adjunct professor at Yale University. His play DINNER WITH FRIENDS won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2000 and was produced by MCT in 2003. MCT also produced his play Brooklyn Boy in 2009. Margulies' other plays include SIGHT UNSEEN, TIME STANDS STILL, SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT, THE MODEL APARTMENT, FOUND A PEANUT, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? and THE LOMAN FAMILY PICNIC.

The cast features Sarah Day as Ruth Steiner and Laura Frye as Lisa Morrison, with director C. Michael Wright, scenic designer Stephen Hudson-Mairet, costume designer Kimberly O'Callaghan, lighting designer John Frautschy, properties master Nikki Kulas and sound designer Chris Guse.

COLLECTED STORIES is part of the "Exploring Jewish Voices" series, which is a collaboration between MCT, Jewish Museum Milwaukee and the Jewish Community Center. During the 2012-2013 season, MCT is producing three plays by prominent Jewish playwrights: A THOUSAND CLOWNS by Herb Gardner, COLLECTED STORIES by Donald Margulies and UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL by Glen Berger. The three groups have partnered to provide additional education and outreach opportunities including preshow 'ViewPoints' lectures and 'Jewish Community Ticket' performances.

Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) produces intimate, high-quality, professional theatrical works of literary merit that engage and challenge the audience, while employing and nurturing principally local theatre artists. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright and Managing Director Kirsten Mulvey, MCT performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. For tickets and more information, visit www.milwaukeechambertheatre.com.

Photo Credit: Mark Frohna