Horton Foote doesn’t feel underappreciated. At 91 and enjoying a career spanning six decades, he has won two Oscars (screenplays: To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962, and Tender Mercies, 1983), a Pulitzer Prize (play: The Young Man from Atlanta, 1995) and an induction into the Theatre Hall of Fame, 1996. Yet, he is known by many theatrical critics as the greatest, least-known American playwright; a distinction that seems odd for a writer whose work was praised by President Clinton as a “…triumph of the human spirit,” while honoring Mr. Foote with the National Medal of Arts, in 2000. 

Studio B Performing Arts Center in Highland Village had the unique opportunity to speak to Mr. Foote as they prepare to present his play, Talking Pictures. “I love what I do and fortunately there are enough people that like my plays that I can get them produced,” he said in a telephone interview from the home of his daughter, the actress, Hallie Foote, in New York. 

Although Mr. Foote is best known for his cinematic achievements, when asked whether he preferred writing for the screen or the stage, he adamantly responded, “Stage.  It’s alive.  I enjoy writing for the screen, too.  I just feel that theater is more involving for me.” His unassuming and humble persona appears to be as natural as the dialogue that exposes the common themes throughout his plays: a longing for home, the phenomenon of coping and the slow unveiling of simple people who are, in fact, very complex.

“For starters, I don’t think anybody’s ordinary.  I think if you know enough about them, you’ll find that they are quite complicated,” he said. “I write about things that I know.  In many of my plays there is a desire to go home.  What we perceive of as home,” Mr. Foote added. He also expressed his fascination with coping. When asked why he thought people cope, he answered, “I have no idea.  That’s one of life’s great mysteries.  Why some people cope and some don’t.”

In the comedy, Talking Pictures, Mr. Foote subtly weaves these themes intricately through characters like Myra Tolliver and her son Pete, played by Shelby Johnson and Adam Dillon. Set in the summer of 1929, just months before the start of the Great Depression, the introduction of talking pictures threatens the livelihood of Myra, a single mother who plays piano at silent picture theaters.  She struggles to create stability for her 14-year-old son Pete.  Pete wants to leave home, which is simply a rented room in the house of the Jackson’s, a family of four who are also concerned for their future, and move to Houston to live with his father.

“I’m very grateful for his writing,” said Colleen Reed, director of this Studio B production. “We have such a focus on celebrity culture and everybody wants to be somebody.  I’m grateful for (Mr. Foote’s) stories about, maybe we should say, ostensibly ordinary people, who can be celebrated for who they are and not some star power.” Mrs. Reed said she chose Talking Pictures not only for its engaging and humorous story, but also its geographic location and Mr. Foote’s rooted connection to Texas.  The play is set in Harrison, Texas, a fictional town based on Mr. Foote’s hometown of Wharton on the gulf coast.

“When I was talking with Robin (Robin Hackett, Artistic Director for Studio B) there was a lot of talk about Neil Simon and Woody Allen, who are very funny New York playwrights.  But why do we need to borrow culture from outsiders?” Reed said.  “I wanted to do a play with regional flavor.”

Hackett, who recently took over as Artistic Director for the theater, agreed that the ability for Studio B to present this play was a good opportunity to explore works about people right here in Texas. “We at Studio B are very happy that we have the chance to perform the play of a celebrated Texan. We hope lots of folks will come out to see the performance,” she said.

Studio B Performing Arts Center will present Talking Pictures at the theater, located at 1 Nelson Parkway at 2400 FM 407, right behind Celebrations on October 12, 13 and 14 and October 19, 20 and 21. The Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 2:30. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for senior and students and $8 for children ages 10 and under. You can reserve your tickets now by visiting the Studio B website at www.studiobtheater.info or calling the theater at 972-966-2787. You can also email studiobperformingarts@verizon.net for information or questions. Reservations are recommended.