Shifting through the dark layers that encapsulate Truman Capote as they remain shadowed by his charming and uproarious persona, Tru comes to the stage at Limelight Theatre’s Koger-Gamache Black Box Theatre—located at 11 Old Mission Road in St. Augustine.
Directed by Limelight co-founder, Jean Rahner, and starring actor Jan Peter Buksar, performances begin on Thursday, November 17, through Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 20, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
Originally written by Jay Presson Allen (1922 – 2006), a screenwriter who made a breakthrough in Hollywood during a time when her profession was strictly male-dominated, Allen took on the challenge of creating the play titled Tru, which revolves around the inner workings of Truman Capote.
Tru sheds light on Capote in his final chapter. His charismatic demeanor and ability to befriend and gain the trust of others caught the eye of alcoholism. As Capote explores all aspects of the human condition, the gloomier sides transform into triggers. They hide behind his mask, even from himself. Alcoholism is a culprit underlying Capote’s embraces, and it eventually uses his brilliance as a weapon against him.
Utilizing all the secrets he captured from others along the way, he gains material to write their stories. He has them published for the world to read, resulting in friends becoming foes. It is when Capote becomes isolated and alone that he and his addiction come face to face, and his addiction ultimately wins.
Rellahan, M. (2022, November 10). Tru. Visitstaugustine.com
A Classic Theatre will present Terrence McNally’s Mothers and Sons at The St. Augustine Waterworks over the span of two weekends in May. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays — May 5 and 6 and May 12 and 13, 2023. On Sundays, May 7 and May 14, matinees will be presented at 2:00 p.m.
Twenty years after her son passed away from AIDS, Katherine remains trapped in time — stuck on the day he died. Soul searching lands her on his former lover’s doorstep. In an attempt to fully grasp the fact that Cal has a new life with a husband and child, she begins to see the world as it is, in the present day. Life has moved on without her. Peering out the window overlooking the city of New York and watching the changes that transpired — people, places, and things — not only is Katherine witnessing what the world has become, but through Cal and his partner, she simultaneously gets a glimpse of what her son Andre’s life might have been.
Rellahan, M. (2023, April 4). Mothers and Sons. Visitstaugustine.com
First Coast Opera presents “Opéra Mystique” at The Waterworks, located at 184 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine, on Friday through Sunday, February 3 – 5, 2022, and Friday through Sunday, February 10 – 12, 2023, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
“Opéra Mystique” is a combination of two performances—Sāvitri, an Indian-themed one-act chamber opera by Gustav Holst, and The Medium, a two-act dramatic opera with dialogue and music by Gian Carlo Menotti.
The story of Sāvitri revolves around the love between a husband and wife who are faced with the knowledge that an impending death will befall them. With dreadful anticipation, Sāvitri hears the voice of Death one night as her husband’s predetermined destiny finally calls. Having a religious background that allows her one wish, she is instructed to refrain from requesting anything on behalf of her husband. Therefore, she cleverly tricks Death and sets them free.
The Medium tells the tale of a con-artist fortune teller who, along with her daughter and servant, preys on grieving clients who have lost a loved one. While “talking to the dead” one evening, Madame Flora believes something supernatural touched her. Instantaneously, she is driven towards the arms of insanity. The impact of deception becomes her own.
Rellahan, M. (2023, January 20). Opera Mystique. Visitstaugustine.com
We bought our tickets and headed downtown to the Stifle Theatre in St. Louis, where doors would open to attendees who were about to witness a transformation from misconceptions to compassion and beautiful insights. Created by Jonathon Larson, Rent is the musical production that relies on the echoes of suffering and turns them into a united, majestic sound that will remain in the hearts of everyone who was there.
Stifle Theatre, home to Broadway’s most angelic voices, has somehow cocooned its musical spirits within the walls. You can sense the lingering enthusiasm of past performers. When the lights dim and the curtain rises to a group of 20-something New Yorkers living on the Lower East Side, the rush of music immediately sweeps in and carries the audience away.
There are five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes in a year. Although Rent’s characters are plagued with some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable, they find a way to connect and reach new depths inside of themselves with the help of each other. They are the rare ones who discover the freedom that allows them to embrace all the seasons of love.
It is the greatest life lesson ever told on a stage and will be remembered for decades to come.
Stifel Theatre, Rent Musical Production
Henry Hird, Publisher, Visit St. Augustine