Innovation Theatre Works presents two classic holiday stories this season running concurrently on its MainStage and in Balcony Café. Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory starring KTVZ’s Bob Shaw will take up residence on the MainStage beginning Friday, December 2 and play Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm.  

Directed by Sandy Silver, this largely autobiographical story written by Truman Capote, which takes place in the 1930s, describes a period in the lives of the seven-year-old narrator and an elderly woman who is his distant cousin and best friend.

Capote’s evocative narrative focuses on country life, friendship and the joy of giving during the Christmas season, and it also gently yet poignantly touches on loneliness and loss.  

Now a holiday classic, A Christmas Memory has been broadcast, recorded, filmed, and staged multiple times, in award-winning productions and now it is coming to Bend.

Shaw’s own childhood recollections come through as he stars in this one man holiday production that you will not soon forget and it will most likely bring to mind many of your own Christmas memories.  
A Christmas Memory is being produced as a benefit for the Assistance League of Bend and we will share up to 50 percent of the proceeds with that amazing organization, including 100 percent of the proceeds from the Gala Opening Night on Friday, December 2.  

Additionally, Balcony Café lobby will feature caroling from a festive holiday quartet before each show and jazz after each Friday and Saturday evening performances with holiday treats from the Café. 
Tickets:  $30 for Opening Night Gala on Dec. 2nd.  Regular prices for all other performances are: $20/Adults and $18/Students, seniors, groups.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES

The second Holiday offering will be the classic David Sedaris story, The Santaland Diaries opening in the Balcony Café and running Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 8pm through December 22.

Directed by ITW’s Artistic Director, Brad Hills, The Santaland Diaries began life as an essay by David Sedaris. It is a true and humorous account of Sedaris’ stint working as a Christmas elf in SantaLand at Macy’s department store.

Sedaris first read the essay on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on December 23, 1992. The piece was well-received, and provided Sedaris with his first major break. Sedaris later published the essay in the collections Barrel Fever (1994) and Holidays on Ice (1997). In 1996, Joe Mantello adapted Sedaris’ essay for the stage as a one-man, one-act play that has since become a seasonal staple of regional, college and high-school theatre.

As with A Christmas Memory, audiences will be invited to stay after each show to enjoy holiday treats and special jazz performances in the Café.  All ticket prices for all performances are $10.

Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 541-504-6721. 1155 SW Division Street, #B-8, between Reed Market and Third in the Scandia Square behind the new Goodys Factory Store.