By Ann Conway
Fresh from receiving a spirited standing ovation for her portrayal of Ruth—a salty-tongued New York University writing professor—in Donald Margulies' Collected Stories, actor Kandis Chappell found herself among a crush of ecstatic well-wishers when she swept into the final First Nighters' party of SCR's 2008-09 season.
Playing the crusty, aging mentor is "one of my favorite roles," said Chappell, who starred in the production when it premiered at SCR in 1996. "But I must say it uses all of my acting muscles. You train to the limit—like an athlete—to play Ruth."
Symbols of the writers' trade dotted the literary-themed partyscape, from the cocktail tables topped with old typewriters, books and scripts to the aglow library lamps that lent a studious air to the alfresco gathering.
Guests at the May 22 post-performance celebration cruised a savory buffet resplendent with comfort foods—every writer needs them!—donated by Mark's Catering that included ratatouille, mushroom risotto, fettucini and gourmet cheeses and crackers. Also up for savoring: an array of chocolate confections provided by C. Salt Gourmet—melt-in-your-mouth truffles, crunchy brittle and creamy chocolate pieces, all handmade by company owner Courtney Donley.
Thirsty party-goers tossed back Writer's Block cocktails—tasty combos of icy Stoli vodka and pomegranate juice that were heady enough to unleash any writer's creative juices—as they mingled with Chappell, play director Martin Benson, actor Melanie Lora (who deftly played Ruth's ardent protégé, Lisa) and Honorary Producers Valerie and Geoffrey Fearns.
"These actors earned their standing ovation, big time!" said Geoffrey, who, with his wife also produced the mega-SCR hit, Hitchcock Blonde. “We’ve been coming here for 20 years, and Collected Stories is one of the better plays,” he added. “It’s great because after the play many hours can be spent talking about the meaning of it all.”
The production—a Pulitzer Prize finalist which marked an early Margulies' commision from SCR—premieres on Broadway next fall.
