“It’s Fruitcake Weather!”: “A Christmas Memory” To Be Presented In New Harmony Starring Joel Vig and Mary (“Scout”) Badham
I am thrilled to announce the following news on behalf of Jerry Wade — the “Wade” of LemonWade: As a gift to his community, arts patron and theatre producer Wade is bringing academy award-nominated actress Mary Badham (“Scout†in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) and Broadway veteran Joel Vig (Harriman Spritzer in Broadway’s HAIRSPRAY) to Thrall’s Opera House in New Harmony to perform Truman Capote’s classic holiday tale: A CHRISTMAS MEMORY. Seats for the four pop-up performances—December 8 at 7:00 pm, December 9 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and December 10 at 1:00 pm—are available for $1 per patron, by reservation. (For tickets, call 800-231-2168 or 812-682-4474.)
Capote’s story of family, friendship and fruitcake will be brought to life by Badham and Vig in four 90-minute performances throughout the weekend. The largely autobiographical story portrays a period in the 1930s-era life of a seven-year-old boy, who serves as narrator of the story, and his friendship with an elderly cousin, whom he considers to be his best friend.
Wade, originally of Posey County, said producing Capote’s play near his Midwest home was a long-standing desire of his. “I’ve always wanted to bring this show to New Harmony,†he said, “and I’m delighted to be working with such distinguished theatre veterans as Ms. Badham and Joel (Vig).†Wade added that historic Thrall’s Opera House is a great intimate venue for the two-person production.
Broadway actor Vig co-starred with his friend Patricia Neal on the global tour of an earlier adaptation of “A CHRISTMAS MEMORY.†(Upon the occasion of Vig and Neal performing in Monroeville, Alabama, which drew a rare appearance by Harper Lee, read LemonWade’s interview with Vig.) In this production, Badham will assume the role of the older cousin “Sook.†It will be her first performance with Vig and in this role.
