Reviewed by Judy Richter
"A Christmas Memory," a short story by Truman
Capote, has been
adapted as a musical in its world premiere at TheatreWorks. The company also presented a Russell
Vandenbroucke stage
adaptation of "A Christmas Memory" in December 1996. At that time it
was the second part of a two-act evening called "Holiday Memories." The first part was
another Capote short story, "The Thanksgiving Visitorr."
Both
autobiographical works were set in Monroeville, Ala., in the early Depression,
when 7-year-old Buddy (Capote's childhood name) was sent to live with distant
cousins after his parents separated. The cousins were three spinster sisters
(two in the musical) and their bachelor brother. Buddy became close with the
eldest, Sook Faulk, a childlike woman in her early 60s. "A Christmas
Memory" focuses on her great annual project of baking some 30 fruitcakes
and sending them to various townspeople as well as to celebrities like first
lady Eleanor Roosevelt. This stage adaptation was quite delightful, especially
with the combination of Capote's poetic prose and a marvelous portrayal of Sook
by Linda Hoy,
who captured the woman's feelings and goodness.
The
musical adaptation, at least in its present form, is not quite as satisfying.
The basic story is intact in Duane Poole's book, but Penny Fuller, though a fine actress, seems
too sophisticated as Sook. Other performances ring truer, especially by Gabriel
Hoffman
(alternating with Peter Heintz) as Buddy. However, the scenes between him and Jennifer
Chapman (alternating
with Maggie Brown)
as Nelle Harper seem conrtrived, perhaps because both actors are teenagers --
older than their characters. (Nelle is the neighbor child who grew up to be
Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird.")
Eileen
Barnett plays
Jennie Faulk, the other sister, a milliner who seems to be the family's sole
breadwinner. Richard Farrell plays the brother, Seabon Faulk, along with most other
male characters. Completing the cast are Joshua Park as the adult Buddy and Cathleen
Riddley as Anna
Stabler, the family's longtime housekeeper. All sing well.
The
music by Larry Grossman, with lyrics by Carol Hall and musical direction by William Liberatore, is in a variety of styles from
rag to shades of Sondheim. The relatively simple set is by Joe Ragey with lighting by Steven B.
Mannshardt and
sound by Cliff Caruthers. The period costumes are by Allison Connor.
Robert
Kelley's
direction is usually spot-on, but he can't quite overcome some innate problems.
The show seems overdone, as if the creators were trying to stretch it into two
acts rather than one. Perhaps with some pruning, it would flow more smoothly
and energetically.