American Blues Theatre Announces COLLECTED STORIES, Beginning 4/19

American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, proudly closes the Ensemble's 27th season with the Broadway version of the script Collected Stories by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies, co-directed by the mother and daughter team of Mary Ann Thebus and Steppenwolf Theater Associate Artist Jessica Thebus, runs April 19 - May 19 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Previews are Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m. The press opening for Collected Stories is Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $49. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 19 at 12 p.m. Performances run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. There are two Saturday matinees at 5 p.m., May 11 and 18. For more information or tickets, go to www.americanbluestheater.com.

Collected Stories chronicles the relationship between two female writers: Ruth Steiner (Carmen Roman), a celebrated New York author with a dry wit and a distinguished career and her bright-eyed young protégé, Lisa Morrison (American Blues Theater's Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside). The story examines their relationship, both personal and professional, as it changes over the course of six years via six scenes with the line between fact and fiction blurring resulting in an explosive conclusion. The New Yorker declares Collected Stories is an "Engaging tale of aesthetics and ethics with intelligence and sharp, literate humor."

"We are thrilled to welcome Mary Ann and Jessica Thebus to the Blues family," says Gwendolyn Whiteside, ABT producing artistic director. "Many times, our ensemble has worked with these powerhouse women but never on the same project. Their artistic insights, experiences and natural talent add complex levels to Margulies' rich text."

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