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A Christmas Memory & The Thanksgiving Visitor
By Truman Capote
Adapted and Directed by Tim Gregory
Produced by Provision Theater
At the Royal George Theatre
1641 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL
Call 312-988-9000 www.provisiontheater.com
Tickets $26 - $20 students
Wednesdays at 1 pm
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 40 minutes with intermission
Through December 21, 2008
Wonderfully heartwarming new holiday show
Kudos to Provision Theater and Tim Gregory for finding an original holiday show that tugs at the heart. Based on the childhood memories of Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and “The Thanksgiving Visitor” are two one-acts featuring seven-year-old Buddy (Capote’s childhood nickname), played by Rawson Vint, and his friend Miss Sook, played by Peggy Roeder.
It is in the early 1930’s in Monoreville, Alabama when seven-year-old Buddy is dropped of by his mother to his eccentric extended family. Buddy’s first friend quickly becomes his best friend. He develops a life altering unforgettable relationship with the 60something cousin, Miss Sook. She is a spinster recluse woman who never left the county, never ate in a restaurant and never married. Her world is the small house, cooking and being friends with Buddy. She is kind to everyone as she sees the best in everyone. She is thankful to the Lord and beholding to the wonders of nature. She nurtures Buddy as she teaches him by example what it is to be kind, gentle and human.
Truman Capote’s two stories are slices of life memories of a boy’s impressions of holiday adventures growing up in rural Alabama. Life was simple as the two friends enjoyed the wonders of life that included baking, walking the dog and cleaning the house. In “The Thanksgiving Visitor,” Buddy is being bullied by twelve-year-old Odd (Mike Trehy) at school. Buddy grows to fear Odd but Miss Sook reassures him that Odd is really a nice boy. Sook invites Odd to the family feast on Thanksgiving Day. The family invites friends, travelers and lost souls to enjoy a fine holiday meal at their home. Events at the feast teach life lessons to Buddy.
In “A Christmas Memory,” we see Sook and Buddy organizing their baking of fruit cakes that Sook sends to all her loved one including President Roosevelt and the couple who’s care broke down in town last year. They must bake 30 fruit cakes and the main (and secret) ingredient is whiskey. Since Alabama is a dry state, they must venture to Haha Jones’ still to purchase illicit whiskey. The two friends have fun adventures including hunting for the perfect Christmas tree.
These wonderful stories are filled with loads of heart and down home warmth. Rawson Vint is terrific as Buddy. He has the look and body language of a seven-year-old despite being an adult. It is difficult to play that young but Vint exudes little boy charm and their simple humor. He is delightful. Peggy Roeder, a wonderful actress, is at the top of her craft as Miss Sook. Roeder has just the right blend of old lady wisdom, simple lifestyle and genuine loving spirit to make Sook a most memorable character. Capote referred to Miss Sook as “an irreplaceable part of myself.” Peggy Roeder is marvelous as the saintly yet simple woman.
Take your family to see this sweet holiday show that celebrate the human spirit as it defines the true values of the winter holiday season. It is so refreshing to see an original holiday show so well acted. You might end up with one of Sook’s fruit cakes.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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