THE PLAY: An interpretation of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory:” A young boy is sent to live with relatives in Alabama, where an older woman becomes his best friend. It centers around their preparations for the Holidays.

 

THE PRODUCTION: This is a wistful, Southern memory play that’s driven thru Capote’s descriptive narrative instead of dialogue and interaction. The actors do an earnest job with Maggi Bavolack providing several broad comic characters (most enjoyably their dog). Director Jan Powell has created some lovely stage pictures and enlisted Kaye Weinstein Gary to add poetic dance moves, but neither moves the production into poetry. The clapboard backdrop and antique furnishings by Vinnie Gonzalez add a lovely environment, although Michael Jarett’s evocative lights cause too many shadows (the kitchen fixture could be raised a bit to eliminate shadows on their faces).

 

THE POINT: This memory play is more appreciated than experienced: a poetic staging that’s sweet but sterile.

 

(3 / 5)

 

A Quill Theatre Production at Grace Street Theater thru 12/26