Jesse Tyler Ferguson Shines as Truman Capote in NYC Play

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Returns to Stage in “Tru”

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, beloved for his role as Mitchell Pritchett on the hit TV show Modern Family, has returned to the stage in a powerful one-man show about the iconic author Truman Capote. Titled Tru, the production is playing at the House of the Redeemer on New York’s Upper East Side. Due to overwhelming demand, the show has already been extended for three weeks, a testament to the audience’s enthusiasm for Ferguson’s performance.

A Lifelong Fascination with Capote

Ferguson has long been captivated by Capote, an interest that began in high school when he first read Capote’s chilling true-crime novel, In Cold Blood. “I remember being so fascinated by this book, and it felt like such a dark book,” Ferguson shared. “As a kid, I was like, I can’t believe I get to read this book. It felt like such an adult theme.”

As he grew older, his fascination shifted to Capote’s life and personality. “I became fascinated with his life and just sort of the person he was,” he explained. He also drew inspiration from acclaimed performances, including Philip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal and Ryan Murphy’s television series about the author. The opportunity to revive Tru, a play originally performed by Robert Morse in the 1980s, for its first New York revival felt like a huge honor.

An Immersive Theatrical Experience

What makes Tru particularly special is its immersive nature. The audience enters Truman Capote’s living room, with Ferguson performing mere feet away. “I just do the play inches away from them,” he said.

This intimate setting offers a unique experience for both the actor and the audience. “I loved working on television. I’m a theater actor, but I loved my experience on Modern Family,” Ferguson noted. “What I loved about it was being able to act in close-up and having the camera pick up on these little things. So this is sort of like a wonderful marriage of the two things that I love.” He described the feeling of performing in such close proximity as “like a tight wire act, truly.”

The Actor-Audience Connection

Performing for a small audience of 100 people in an intimate space is a significant shift from his experience performing Shakespeare in the Park for 2,000 people. Ferguson thrives on the close connection this provides. “To have that intimacy with a live audience, like what we’re having right now is, I mean, no one ever gets that as a stage actor,” he enthused.

The dynamic nature of live theater means each performance is unique. Ferguson explained how audience reactions, like laughter or gasps, inform his performance. “Yes, and that does inform my performance,” he stated. “There are times where I feel like someone might be responding to something a little bit more, so I play into that.” This constant interaction allows him to discover more about the character with each show.

“Every performance is a little different and I’m also discovering more about the character,” Ferguson said. “So each performance I do, I go deeper.” He believes this evolution also benefits the audience, offering them a chance to see the character develop if they attend multiple shows.

Researching the Role

To prepare for the role, Ferguson immersed himself in Capote’s public appearances. “I watched a lot of Truman, he was so present on talk shows, specifically after In Cold Blood,” he recalled. Capote was a significant cultural phenomenon, and there is abundant archival footage available.

While acknowledging that other actors who have played Capote likely studied the same recordings, Ferguson aimed for his own interpretation. “I did look at other actors’ portrayals of him, just to sort of see how far you can take it, and also to just be inspired by their work on him,” he said. “But, you know, because it is through this vessel of me, like it’s going to be different than what other people have done.” He hopes his portrayal will be remembered as a good one.

Family and Gratitude

Beyond his stage work, Ferguson recently celebrated his 50th birthday. He and his husband, Justin, have two young sons, aged three and a half, and almost six. He expressed deep gratitude for his role as a father.

Currently, his children are with him in New York. He plans to take them to see the off-Broadway revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a show he was part of on Broadway 20 years ago. “I get to take them to go see it off-Broadway with this brilliant new cast,” he said, noting that his sons are good theatergoers despite their young age.

Source: Jesse Tyler Ferguson returns to the stage for one-man show about Truman Capote (YouTube)