"Tru"

June 21, 2018 — Since witnessing Kraig Swartz as flamboyant writer Truman Capote, I've watched several interviews and late night show appearances on the internet by the real Capote, and I can say without hesitation that Swartz's portrayal was dead-on. The only difference is that Swartz, out of necessity, had to amplify his voice by a few decibels above Capote's pinched nasal twang in order to be heard by the entire theater. But Swartz captured Capote's speech cadence and mannerisms perfectly in a bravura performance.

The title of the play is "Tru" by Jay Presson Allen. It was staged at the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire, directed by the Players' long-time artistic director and actor Gus Kaikkonen, who was also responsible for scenic design. Swartz was the only actor appearing on stage. Tess Borsecnik, Patti Hance, Taylor Dobbs and Joanne Stevens were voices on the phone. Swartz, a Players veteran, has appeared in many comic roles, and I've always considered him one of the funniest men in New Hampshire theater, along with Doug Shapiro and Scott Severance. As Capote, Swartz was both funny and pathetic, addressing the audience directly through much of the play, bringing this complicated, troubled, important literary figure to the stage 34 years after his death.

Now in its 85th year, the Peterborough Players has brought high-quality theater, acting talent, direction and stage craft to New Hampshire.