Jackson Free Press

Queenie the dog, Buddy the 7-year-old and his cousin Sook, an aging woman with white hair, stand in the kitchen ready to celebrate finishing their Christmas tradition of making fruitcakes for friends. Sook gives Queenie a spoonful of whisky in her bowl, and then divides the rest between the little boy and herself while they dance and sing merrily.

The merriment comes to a sudden halt when two other relatives enter the kitchen. "A child of 7! Whisky on his breath! Shame!" Their angry faces and scolding words extinguish the happy raised voices, like a crackling fire doused with water. The two relatives clearly are sour pusses who take pleasure in lording their power over others.

The kitchen, which was filled with spirited voices and jubilant dancing, is now solemn. Sook, Buddy and Queenie leave the small room drenched in guilt and shame.

The Chimneyville Readers and Fondren Theatre Workshop present "A Christmas Memory," written by Truman Capote, adapted for the stage by Bolton native James Anderson, an actor, writer and founder of the Chimneyville Readers. Anderson says that he started the Chimneyville Readers to create more performance opportunities for local actors. "I wanted to give seasoned and beginning actors a chance to perform—without the restraints of heavy rehearsal schedules, memorization, gathering costumes and props," he says.

In his adaptations of short stories, Anderson focuses on preserving the beautiful language and structure of the piece.

"I simply turn short stories into scripts," says Anderson, who reads the part of the narrator.

Anderson's goal is to have his adaptations performed in small intimate settings to give the audience the opportunity to experience the author's words, engaging their senses and creating a moment so real that the audience can be one with the story. "The audience gets to concentrate on the words of the story," Anderson says.

"It's all about the words, vocal variety and energy."

During the performance of "A Christmas Memory, "the audience can hear Queenie lap her whiskey and coffee from her bowl—her thin tongue making a delightful smacking sound. The audience becomes a part of the celebration, hearing the voices of Buddy and Sook singing two different songs at two different pitches; the audience becomes aware of feet thumping merrily against the kitchen floor.

"The script is wonderful!" says John Maxwell, local writer and star of the critically acclaimed movie "Oh, Mr. Faulkner, Do You Write?" "I think it is a wonderful way to keep Capote's work alive during Christmas."

Truman Capote, an American writer, was born Sept. 30, 1924, in New Orleans. Recognized as literary classics, his work includes the novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and his narrative non-fiction book "In Cold Blood."

Capote originally published "A Christmas Memory" in Mademoiselle magazine in December 1956. Set in 1930, the story touches on poverty, loneliness and the beauty of giving during the Christmas season.

"'A Christmas Memory' is my favorite reading and story of all time," says Bettye Edwards, a local actress who has performed with The Chimneyville Readers for 12 years. Edwards, who reads the role of Sook, has appeared in a number of commercials and performed with local theater companies including Fondren Theatre Workshop and New Stage Theater.

"What I love about Sook is her honesty and the love she has in her heart for all mankind," Edward says.

Edwards breathes life into this child-like character, bringing forth her strength and angelic qualities as she interacts with young Buddy, read by John Howell, actor and co-founder of Fondren Theatre Workshop.

Howell is also a teacher at Casey Elementary School in Jackson and has performed with New Stage Theatre.

"I love the language that I get to speak as the young Capote, who is called Buddy,'" he says.

"This is not a story just about Christmas, but about having Christmas in our hearts all year through," Edwards says.

Performance dates are Dec. 13 and 14 at 6 p.m. at The Cedars in Fondren. (Hot cider will be served.) The suggested donation is $5. The production will also be at St. Marks Dec. 20 in Raymond at 6 p.m. and at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Jackson Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. For more information, e-mail James Anderson at [e-mail missing].