Eddie Korbich's One-Man Show TRU to Play Pittsburgh Public Theater

Pittsburgh Public Theater presents Broadway actor Eddie Korbich as Truman Capote in TRU, a one-man play by Jay Presson Allen based on Capote's words and works. Directed by The Public's Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas, TRU runs April 21 - May 22, 2016 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org.

Truman Capote was acclaimed in 1948, at age 23, when his first novel Other Voices, Other Rooms was published. After that his star rapidly ascended. His best-selling books included Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood, and he was also famous for his friendships with chic socialites such as Babe Paley, Slim Keith and Gloria Vanderbilt, who became known as his "swans."

TRU takes place in 1975 in Capote's New York apartment, shortly after Esquire magazine published a chapter from his promised novel, Answered Prayers. The story dished the dirt about the rich and powerful in his circle, salaciously naming names and telling all. The writer thought his friends would be amused. Instead they were horrified. With humor and candor, Capote tells the audience how he got to this turning point: his unconventional childhood, his celebrity pals, his deepest secrets. In TRU, the revelations of this reckless genius become a theatrical tour de force.

Playing Capote is Eddie Korbich, whose Broadway credits include A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Carousel, A Christmas Story, The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, After the Night and the Music, Wicked, Seussical, and Sweeney Todd. TRU will be his Pittsburgh Public Theater debut.

The designers for TRU are James Noone (Scenic), Ted Pappas (Costumes), Kirk Bookman (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Casting is by McCorkle Casting and Ruth E. Kramer is the Production Stage Manager.

Jay Presson Allen was a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and a woman ahead of her time. In 1964 she wrote the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's film, Marnie, and two years later her adaptation of Muriel Spark's novel, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, premiered in London starring Vanessa Redgrave. When the play moved to Broadway, Zoe Caldwell won a Tony for her performance, and when Ms. Allen adapted it for film, Maggie Smith won an Oscar in the title role. Liza Minnelli also won an Oscar in Ms. Allen's film adaptation of Cabaret. Her other screenplays include Funny Lady, Deathtrap, Prince of the City, and Just Tell Me What You Want (which was based on her novel). Ms. Allen also directed TRU when it debuted on Broadway in 1989. Its star, Robert Morse, won a Tony for his performance.