Back By Popular Demand: Magical Staged Readings Of Truman Capote’s Holiday Short Story Collection Revisited
SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Truman Capote left a forever legacy on the East End. As the world celebrated Capote during his centennial year in 2024, reflecting upon his literary prowess and larger-than-life persona, in the Hamptons, the author was remembered for the rich treasure trove of memories he created in a place he called home — and where his ashes were spread on Crooked Pond, his essence deeply rooted in the area for eternity.
And so it’s especially meaningful that this year, back by popular demand, staged readings of literary icon Truman Capote’s holiday story collection — a collection that shines with quiet beauty, as Capote summons up scenes and heartachingly poignant childhood memories — will once again bring his singular voice to life on a Hamptons stage.
Audiences were so enchanted by last year's production, they clamored for an encore this season.
Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center will present the Long Island staged readings of Truman Capote’s holiday short story collection: "One Christmas" and "A Christmas Memory" at the Southampton Arts Center, located at 25 Jobs Lane, from November 28 to November 30, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Produced through special arrangements with and permission granted by The Truman Capote Literary Trust, Center Stage will bring to life the bittersweet, heartwarming and thought-provoking prose written by one of the 20th Century’s greatest and most celebrated American writers, Truman Capote.
Set during The Great Depression of the early 1930s, the tales are based largely upon Capote’s youth in rural Alabama and focus on young Buddy and his lovingly eccentric cousin, Sook. Together, through two Christmases, Buddy and Sook learn much about honesty, love, loss and enduring friendship.
In One Christmas, young Buddy spends the holiday away from his Alabama family and in New Orleans with his rarely seen father. A Christmas Memory is Capote’s love letter to his elderly cousin, Sook, who raised him and taught him much about kindness, sharing and forever.
The productions are sponsored in part by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, LMS Design, SHA and The Yaffa Fioundation. Michael Disher directs.
As a review wrote last year: "The audience is left breathless, in fact, by the sheer honesty and beauty unfolding on the stage. As Capote begins with his "One Christmas," a holiday marked by a Santa list he created, like so many young boys,we can collectively feel Capote dreaming of that pearl-handled knife, a radio, a box of puzzles, or the pinnacle of a little boys' dreams, a green pedal plane, shiny and ready to soar."
The reviewer added: "There aren't words strong enough to urge audiences to see this show, and see it again. It captures the true meaning of the holidays in a way that will stay in hearts forever."
For additional information and tickets, which cost $25 for general admission and $20 for SAC members, click here.
Media Contact: Michael Disher
631-965-0262
mbentondisher@gmail.com.