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SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — A beloved local filmmaker is breathing life, for the first time on Long Island, into vacation stories from an iconic author.

Michael Disher will bring staged readings of Truman Capote's holiday story collection to a Hamptons stage — especially fitting, since the East End is a place where Capote spent many years and where, in fact, he found a final resting place.

Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center will present the Long Island premiere, staged readings of Truman Capote's holiday collection of short stories: “The Thanksgiving Visitor,” “One Christmas” and “A Christmas Memory” on two separate weekends in November.

The stories speak of family, of childhood memories, of home — and where better to see new life breathed into his rich words than in a place that called to him and held such deep meaning?

Performances of “The Thanksgiving Visitor” will take place on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m., Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. Performances of “One Christmas” and “A Christmas Memory” will will be held on Friday, November 30 at 2 p.m. (prior to the annual village Christmas parade), on Saturday, November 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 1 at 2 p.m

The Southampton Arts Center is located at 25 Jobs Lane in the Village of Southampton, New York 11968.

Created through special arrangements and permission granted by The Truman Capote Literary Trust, Center Stage will bring to life the bittersweet, moving and thought-provoking prose written by one of the greatest and most celebrated American writers of the 20th century, Truman Capote. Set during the Great Depression of the early 1930s, the three stories are based heavily on Capote's youth in rural Alabama and focus on young Buddy and his lovably eccentric cousin, Shook. Together, through one Thanksgiving and two Christmases, Buddy and Shook learn a lot about honesty, love, loss, and lasting friendship.

“The Thanksgiving Visitor” centers on young Buddy and his reluctance to invite a classmate to his family's annual Thanksgiving dinner. In “One Christmas,” young Buddy spends the holidays away from his family in Alabama and in New Orleans with his seldom-seen father. “A Christmas Memory” is Capote's love letter to his elderly cousin, Sook, who raised him and taught him a lot about kindness, sharing, and forever.

Productions are funded in part by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

Michael Disher directs, with direction and set design by Joey Giovingo and projections and music by Jack Seabury. Production photography provided by Dane Dupuis, with graphics and posters designed by Tracy Alia. The Center Stage cast includes Patrick Abillama, Daniel Becker, Susan Cincotta, Rori Finazzo, Tom Gregory, Vincenzo James Harty, Franco Pistritto, Jack Seabury, Michaal Lyn Schepps, Richard Schindler, Mary Sabo Scopinich.

“The Truman Capote Literary Trust was delighted to present Mr. Capote's short stories in an area he once called home. I am pleased and honored to bring these stories, in their entirety, to the stage,” Disher said. “It is the trust's hope that interest in reading these stories is renewed. In many areas, 'A Christmas Memory' was once required reading in many schools,” Disher said.

Christina Strassfield, executive director of Southampton Arts Center added: “We are looking forward to our second season and holiday partnership with Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center. We can't think of a better way to kick off the holiday season with these beautiful stories.”

Speaking with Patch, Disher explained how the idea for the project was born.

“For years now, I've been looking for holiday pieces that are not only theatrical but also emotional. My go-to for the past 10 or 11 years has been radio shows, especially the radio covers of many Joe Landry hits. This year I wanted something different, a story or stories that did not necessarily include properly resolved happy endings.”

Years ago, Disher read “A Christmas Memory” and said that “somehow, it fell into the TV version starring Patty Duke. I loved it, but re-reading the actual short story, I realized there was a depth and resonance that was missing. .”

In his heart, Disher knew the play would adapt beautifully to the stage. “I found a video of a musical version of 'A Christmas Memory' uploaded by the Irish Rep, maybe 10 years ago. It was not an easy search to find who had the rights to this version, but eventually all efforts lead me to Truman Capote Literary Trust'.

One of the reasons the trust was willing to give Disher permission to present not just one, but all three, of Capote's holiday stories was because of the author's connection and attachment to the East End, Disher said. .

“He and his longtime partner, Jack Dunphy, owned homes in Sagaponack. Apparently they lived separately but their homes were on the same property,” Disher said.

He added: “Capote's notoriety wasn't specifically about Manhattan. He was the colorful raccoon here in the East End. Bobby Van was a particular favorite of his.”

Even so, it was a long way to get the rights to the stories, Disher said. “Initially, I was refused the rights to perform the musical version. I thought that was the end – a dead end. I wrote the trust and simply said it was a shame these beautiful stories were not part of the holiday dictionary. The Trust wrote me back and he said it was possible, with restrictions, to give permission for readings of Mr. Capote's holiday stories to be altered, redrawn, or deleted let's take these beautiful stories, in their entirety, and make them worthy.

The stories resonated, Disher said. “Not every gift comes wrapped in pretty paper and gold ribbon. Some of the greatest gifts we can ever receive are so subtle—yet touching and life-changing. These are the gifts that don't come with a receipt, because they never will.” These gifts stay with us for a lifetime and I think these stories will stay with me much longer than I could have predicted.

Disher said he has learned lessons for himself bringing Capote's holiday collection to life. “I have gained a greater respect for his works and his writing. I spent the summer re-reading many of his books, listening to his wonderful way of telling stories. In my opinion, he is a master storyteller. What I have learned about myself I think a director needs to have a good understanding of the writer's voice, without that any attempt to direct his words with any integrity or validity will prove dangerous.

There are messages that Disher hopes to convey to audiences through Capote's work, especially during the holiday season. “Again, gifts are not mere packages. Understanding is a gift. Honesty is a gift. Truth is a gift. Loss, though painful, can bring us to this gift of higher understanding. All of these the stories are reflections of Mr. Capote and his life and learning and I believe that learning is the greatest gift one can receive, any day, perhaps even greater.”

One weekend in particular promises a host of holiday experiences in Southampton, with the annual Parade of Lights, followed by the tree lighting at Agawam Park and a fireworks display, taking place on Nov. 30 beginning at 4:30 p.m. .

“I certainly hope that patrons, parade participants, residents, community members and anyone who loves the idea of ​​a well-rounded holiday will consider attending either the 2 p.m. on Nov. 30, before the parade and enjoy the parade and festivities afterward. or that people come to the parade to enjoy a dinner locally in Southampton — there are plenty of options — and round off their holiday on Saturday by watching 'One Christmas' and 'A Christmas' at 7pm. Memory,” Disher said. “What a way to start the holiday season! What a way to end November!”

He pointed out that the program also includes a matinee at 14:00 on Friday, November 29.

“For those who don't enjoy the crowds at the Black Friday sales, maybe a matinee is a kinder alternative,” he said. “'One Christmas' and 'A Christmas Memory' close on Sunday, December 1st. The matinee at 2 p.m. and to begin what I hope will be a happier and more peaceful holiday season.”

This year's holiday production is unlike any other, Disher said. “The previous holiday shows have all been written. Prose is such a different animal than dialogue. Prose paints, so working on these shows is like working in a different medium altogether. Dialogue, as we know, takes the story to a screenplay.Prose However, he paints with descriptions and these descriptions become the setting, the background, the backstories of the characters.

Known on Long Island for more than 40 teaching and directing credits at LIU Southampton College and the Avram Theater, East Hampton High School, Gateway Playhouse, Southampton Cultural Center and Southampton Arts Center, Disher is a true institution, a bright light that led the way for generations of young actors and thrilled audiences for decades.

As director of the Avram Theatre, he directed more than 4o productions and produced and staged events that included readings of plays by John Guar, Chris Durang, Edwin Meyer and Roger Rosenblatt with Dianne Wiest, Mercedes Ruehl, Jane Pauley, Kathleen Turner, Roy. Scheider, Matt McGrath and Elaine Stritch — and evenings with Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda and Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft.

He faced a daunting personal challenge in recent years after being diagnosed with brain cancer and temporarily paralyzed. But his inner sadness, fortitude and grace led his journey of recovery and in 2021, he returned to the stage in the East End, filling the hearts of those who love him with immeasurable joy.

His own health journey has made the vacation especially meaningful, Disher said. “I never take a day or a holiday for granted. For all of us, some days are better than others, but the holidays remain very special to me. I think this is the 10th or 11th year I've put on holiday shows in Southampton and I Always I can't wait to do these shows, I guess it's a personal commitment I have to Southampton and a thank you for all the support I've received over 42 years in this city ​​— to our favorite yet. Southampton College, Southampton Cultural Center and now Southampton Arts Centre.”

If he could talk to Capote, Disher knows exactly what he'd say: “I'd say, 'Thank you.' Thank you for giving us these truly moving and heartfelt pages of your past.”