Review: THE COLLECTOR at 59E59 Theaters is a Riveting Dark Drama at 59E59 Theaters Through 11/13

"They say there's two sides to every story."

-by Frederick Clegg in The Collector

The Collector by playwright Mark Healy is now on the 59E59 Theater stage through November 13th. This intriguing, dark drama is based on the 1963 debut novel with the same name written by English author John Fowles. The two-hander features the acting talents of Matt De Rogatis and Jillian Geurts and has excellent staging by director, Lisa Milinazzo. The play is performed in 59E59's intimate theater space that brings the audience up close to this psychological thriller.

The Collector is about a lonely young man, Frederick Clegg who works as a clerk in the city hall and is also a butterfly collector. Clegg becomes obsessed with Miranda Grey, a popular and pretty college student who studies art. After winning a large financial prize, Clegg purchases a remote estate, kidnaps Miranda and imprisons her in his home's bleak cellar. He attempts to win her affection with gifts and insists that he loves her. Even though Miranda makes every effort to escape, Clegg has her captivity carefully planned and manipulates every situation. He has a psychotic nature that engenders no empathy.

Jillian Geurts as Miranda Grey and Matt De Rogatis as Frederick Clegg capture the raw emotions of their characters in The Collector along with the complex relationship between the captor and his prisoner. De Rogatis' excellent portrayal of Frederick Clegg is unsettling especially when the character discusses his twisted logic. Geurts is outstanding as Emily, who uses every conceivable coping mechanism to deal with her horrific situation.

The Creative Team has brought The Collector to life with costume design by Blair Wear; lighting design and technical direction by Steve Wolf; set design by Jessie Bonaventure; assistant set design by Meg McGuigan; original music and sound design by Sean Hagerty. The Production Stage Manager is Gabriela Gowdie; Fight Coordinator is Greg Pragel; Dialect Coach for Matt De Rogatis is Barbara Rubin and Projection Design is by Walter McGrady.

The Collector depicts a rare view of a twisted individual and his unfortunate victim. It is an intense, captivating play that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Collector is produced by Nine Theatricals and Roebuck Theatrical. The play is on a limited engagement at 59E59 Theaters through Sunday, November 13th. The performance schedule is Tuesday to Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 2.30 PM and 8.30 PM and Sunday at 3:30 PM. The theater is located at 59 East 59th Street (between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets are $25 ($17.50 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org.

Photo Credit: Michael Greenstein

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