By Manning Harris
fmanningh@gmail.com
Theatrical Outfit is currently reviving their charming production of O. Henry’s 1905 story “The Gift of the Magi”; actually the show is an amalgam of two of his stories (“The Cop and the Anthem” is the other one). The current title says “gifts,” lest you think we err in spelling. The show, a musical version, will run through Dec. 21.
The setting is New York City at Christmastime in 1905. Jim and Della (Nick Arapoglou and Caroline Freedlund) are a young married couple, very much in love and very nearly out of funds—as in broke. Jim, currently jobless, is desperately trying to find work. Della sews and does what she can; but the wolf is very near the door.
Nevertheless, it’s Christmas, and each is determined to give the other a gift. But Della’s household treasury is currently “one dollar and eighty seven cents—that was all.” However, as you may recall from the story, Della and Jim each possess one item of some monetary value: Della’s long, glorious hair; and Jim’s heirloom watch. And that is all we shall say about their gift giving: not for us to spoil O. Henry’s delicious comic/situational irony. Some people don’t know the ending.
The couple is not alone. There is a narrator called Willie (Bernadine Mitchell) who gently, wisely, comments on the story. There is Soapy (Glenn Rainey), a homeless street person who’s trying very hard to get arrested! There are two characters called City Her (Kayce Grogan-Wallace) and City Him (Jeff McKerley), city denizens who, along with Willie and Soapy, enlarge and enliven the story.
They do this by magically effortless narration, dialogue, song, and dance.
The book and lyrics are by Mark St. Germain; the music and lyrics are by Randy Courts. Choreography is by Jeff McKerley; musical direction by S. Renee Clark; and the show is directed by Heidi Cline McKerley.
I saw the Outfit’s version of this show couple of years ago, with almost the same cast. I enjoyed it very much, but this year’s production has special pizazz and feeling. Why?
Let’s see: For one thing, the real life Jim and Della—Mr. Arapoglou and Ms. Freedlund—are engaged to be married. Has their real life romance enhanced their stage performance? I’m not sure, but it certainly seems possible. Ms. Freedlund’s performance, especially her singing, has more power and nuance than two years ago. Mr. Arapoglou, a Suzi-winning multi-media performer, has more polish than ever. His song and dance with Glenn Rainey, a soft-shoe number called “Bum Luck,” made me think of Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane in “The Producers.” I wanted it to last longer.
The entire cast, for this viewer, is working on a higher level than before. This is fortunate, because the songs themselves, while pleasant, are not terrifically memorable; but these actors are. Each has magnetism and presence that draws you in.
Bernadine Mitchell is a masterful performer who owns any stage she’s on, and if you haven’t heard her voice, you simply must. Largely because of her personal largess, her Willie becomes a God-like character, warm, assuring, and calm.
“The Gifts of the Magi” is performed in 95 minutes, without an intermission. The show is not a dramatic powerhouse, yet it’s almost hypnotic in its appeal. It has a secret weapon: the transcendent power of love; and a subliminal promise that love can come to anyone—at any time.
For tickets and information, visit theatricaloutfit.org.
