Donald Margulies’ renowned play “Collected Stories” will explore the complex relationship — both supportive and rivalrous — between an older writer and her young student on select dates in November at M.T. Pockets in Morgantown.
The director of the play is Mark Brazaitis, a professor in the Department of English, and the assistant director is Camille Gazoul, a graduate student in creative writing.
Cynthia Ulrich, an office administrator in the Office of Student Accommodations, and Erika Reynolds, a provider credentialing and onboarding coordinator at WVU Health System Medical Group, will play the two main roles in the drama.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 8, 14 and 15, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 9 and 16.
The Nov. 8 performance will be followed by a “talk back” in which audience members can ask questions of the cast and directors.
Brazaitis has devoted portions of both of his graduate writing classes this semester to playwriting while his students studied “Collected Stories,” a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, as an exemplary illustration of the genre.
“I first saw the play when I was living in New York City in the late 1990s,” Brazaitis said. “For a long time, I’ve wanted to introduce it to audiences in Morgantown. Fortunately, we have two of the finest actors in town in our production. I guarantee it will be a fantastic show.”
“I feel very lucky that M.T. Pockets is allowing me to perform this wonderful role,” Ulrich said. “There aren’t many meaty parts for actresses over 50, and it has been a great experience bringing my character to life, embodying her transformation from a sarcastic professor to someone who’s very vulnerable.”
Brazaitis, the author of nine books, has published several short plays. This will be his directorial debut.
Both Ulrich and Reynolds have performed professionally. In addition, Ulrich, an M.T. Pockets board member, has extensive experience in local and state productions, including with the West Virginia Public Theatre.