This week on Stories on Stage, two stories explore the mixed blessing of family connections, and how loved ones can simultaneously bolster our courage, betray our faith, or just down right make us crazy.

In the first story, "Stop That Girl," by Elizabeth McKenzie, we hear how an adolescent girl's life gets turned upside down when her single mother starts a new relationship. The story was originally collected in Dave Eggers' Best American Nonrequired Reading 2002, and was presented during our 2005 live performance season, directed by Judy O'Malley and read by Maggie Carney.

The second story, "Connected That Way," by J. Adams Oaks, was one of three winners chosen from more than seven hundred entries submitted to the Stories on Stage 2004 short stories competition, "Now Hear This." It is a gentle tale about an unusual mother-daughter relationship, and was inspired by two women the author observed while riding the CTA's Western Ave. bus.

Theme Music:  "Nomad" by Strunz & Farah
Button Music:  "Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso in A minor, Opus 28", Composer Camille Saint-Saëns, performed by Jascha Heifetz & RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra

The 2007 live season is now on stage at Steppenwolf Theatre.