Scene from "TRU." (Jerry Lamonica)

Sag Harbor - Well known as a cast member of "Saturday Night Live" Darrell Hammond is starring in "TRU" at Bay Street Theatre this month, (June 3 through June 26), and there is not a TRUer performance into the life of the complicated and acerbic author Truman Capote than what Hammond has brilliantly brought to this stage.

In 1990, Robert Morse received both a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for his portrayal of Capote in the one-man show, however, it is a new dawn and a new decade, so with no disrespect intended Mr. Morse - Mr. Hammond should be hearing bells and whistles (or at least organ sounds) for his 'spot on' performance of the tragic writer from Monroeville, Alabama who gave us both "Breakfast At Tiffany's" (1958), and "In Cold Blood" (1966), among a myriad treasure trove of other short stories and novellas.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" was made into a film in 1961, directed by Blake Edwards, starring Audrey Hepburn, and which also made the song "Moon River" (by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini) an unforgettable hit. "In Cold Blood" was made into a film in 1967, starring Robert Blake - both memorable films dervied from the pen of arguably one of America's best authors.

"TRU" is set at Christmastime in Manhattan 1975 (in Capote's United Nations apartment), where Capote is feeling the societal sting of being ostracized from his wealthy, philanthropic, and near and dear society pals following the publication in Esquire magazine of four chapters of his then work in progress novel "Answered Prayers." The title, we learn, is in reference to a quote by Saint Teresa of Ávila: "Answered prayers cause more tears than those that remain unanswered."

Scene from "TRU." (Jerry Lamonica)

In particular, Capote's relationship with benefactors and friends CBS network head William Paley, and his wife 'Babe', as well as 'Slim' Keith, among others - who believed that their privates lives where the fodder for Capote's book - resulted in an irretrievable shunning of Capote for the rest of his life. These social doyennes who held the power (and money) to make or break careers, reputations - and yes, also the spirit of anyone they deemed worthy or unworthy - certainly proved their standing with the smack down rendered to Capote's career and reputation.

In May 1971, on the Dick Cavett show, Capote himself referred to the book ["Answered Prayers"] as his "posthumous novel," explaining, "either I'm going to kill it, or it's going to kill me."

Hammond, a Bay Street Artistic Associate, spent 14 years as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live," and appeared in Bay Street's "Romance and Beyond Therapy," as well as the Bay Street's Comedy Club. He brings considerable thespian skills and insight to his "TRU" with wry wit, sophistication, and brutal honesty. His embodiment of both Capote's distinctive voice and mannerisms is alarmingly realistic - this is not acting - this is being. The amount of dialogue required in this one-man show would crush a lesser talent - not so Mr. Hammond - even with a snafu of a disturbingly loud generator that went off during Friday's performance - he never lost character and actually incorporated the disruption seamlessly into his performance - which had many inquiring if it was actually part of the play. He brings pathos, humor and laser sharp intensity to this role. This is a performance not to be missed - and thanks to Mr. Hammond, grateful audiences will once again be reminded why live theatre is simply incomparable to any other medium.


Directed by Matt McGrath, a wonderful evening at the theatre is available with the late playwright Jay Presson Allen's words; the incredibly detailed and beautiful set by Gary Hygom; lighting by Mike Billings, and sound by Jill BC Du Boff - and the remarkable performance of Hammond as "TRU." There was really no need for Bay Street's Artistic Director Murphy Davis to come out and thank the audience for their support of the theatre celebrating its 20th year - the thanks are due and deserving to those who made this endeavor a reality.

It is evident that the life and works of Capote ultimately proved beneficial to those in the Arts, as the film "Capote" (2005) garnered an Academy Award for Philip Seymour Hoffman, as well as a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. The film spanning the years Capote spent researching and writing "In Cold Blood," received five nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor (Hoffman) and Best Supporting Actress.

Scene from "TRU." (Jerry Lamonica)

In "Infamous" (2006), directed by Douglas McGrath, stars Toby Jones as Capote and Sandra Bullock as Harper Lee, is an adaptation of George Plimpton's "Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career" (1997) also revealed the enigma that was Truman Capote.

It is debatable whether Capote ever really recovered from the devastating blow to his place in society and the publishing world with the fall-out from "Answered Prayers." To those of us who knew him from both Manhattan and Bridgehampton's Bobby Van's it appeared perhaps he did not. He maintained a home in the Hamptons for many years, but died in Los Angeles in 1954 at age 59, following years of alcohol and drug abuse. After the death of his long time companion Jack Dunphy in 1992, Capote and Dunphy's ashes were scattered at Crooked Pond, between Bridgehampton and Sag Harbor.

All the theatre euphemisms, including Bravo!, Break A Leg! and More, More! are both appropriate and well earned given Mr. Hammond's performance.

This program is partially funded by the Suffolk County Executive's Office. In addition to the regular subscriptions and single ticket pricing, Bay Street is offering a very limited amount of $20 tickets to each performance available only at the Box Office on the day of the show; based on availability; one ticket per person only.