Tru Grace: Holiday Memoirs, A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote and The Loudest Voice by Grace Paley

This Central Square Theater’s is a sweet yet unsentimental kick-start to the best holiday sentiments.  Truman Capote’s adapted short story, A Christmas Memory, is a treasure, treating us to a magical friendship between seven year old Buddy, Michael Forden Walker, and his elderly cousin, played by Debra Wise.  Walker, a full-grown man who also plays two parts in the Paley story, convincingly moves and talks like a child, and there’s not a moment when we doubt him.  Debra Wise is perfect as his sprightly elderly cousin (friend), and plays it with subtly and humor.  She also appears as the mother in Paley’s The Loudest Voice, where she becomes a Russian immigrant family, attesting to her range. This memoir of a feel-good preparation for Christmas  left me with tears in my eyes. The set is simple, using projected trees and a few props, but it is all that is needed.

Although Paley’s The Loudest Voice also has a great message about tolerance, I found that the voice that was to be “loudest” a little difficult to understand over the music and noises in the production, but the props, such as placard school desks with painted-on knees were adorable and the projected silhoutetes of the city were very effective and the wry dialogue was delivered with perfect intonation, Russian accents and all.  I think children will love this show which makes it a great way to start the holidays, and has something for both children and adults.

Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts AVe.,Cambridge, Ma 02139

November 19 – December 27

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