Arkansas Rep presenting Gift for Christmastime

Christmas season shows at Arkansas Repertory Theatre frequently are lavish productions with a large cast, but only rarely are they world premiere musicals with a four-person cast, as they are this year with The Gift of the Magi, an adaptation of the most famous of all of O. Henry stories.

First published in 1905, the story concerns a young married couple who are desperately poor as Christmas nears, and worried over how to afford gifts for each other. The husband decides to sell his gold watch in order to buy his wife a set of combs for her lovely long hair, even as she sells her hair to buy a fob for her husband's watch.

John Miller-Stephany is directing the show; Jeffrey Hatcher wrote the book; Andrew Cooke composed the music and is the musical director and Maggie Kate Coleman wrote the lyrics.

"I was considering what show to do in this [forthcoming] season," says Miller-Stephany, "and I decided to go with this one -- a very delicate piece, quite small, rather than an extravaganza of some sort. It's a beautifully crafted little story and I thought it had the makings of a lovely musical."

There have been many other adaptations, Miller-Stephany notes, including a cartoon version featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a Muppet version, a contemporary Russian treatment and episodes of The Honeymooners, Fargo, Rugrats and Saturday Night Live.

"I loved the idea of an intimate adaptation," Miller-Stephany adds. "So, I called Jeff, a dear friend, who had some ideas of his own, and for the lyrics, brought in Andrew and for the female point of view, Maggie."

Hatcher likes the setting of the play, the early 20th century, when the obvious poverty of the time recalls the days of Charles Dickens.

"Back then there were elevated trains and charge accounts at department stores," Hatcher says, "but it's still the days of genteel poverty. And when you say the names 'Jim and Della,' many people think of this show, especially if you say 'hair and a watch,' then they get it quickly and know where this is going, so what we've tried to do without overloading it is fill in some of the back story about these two people and watch them over the course of their day."

The music, while lush and romantic, contains a bit of ragtime and blues, which were beginning to appear early in the 20th century.

"It's a recognizable story to most people," says Laura Sudduth, who plays Della, Jim's wife. "And it's easy to love. The beauty is in the simplicity of it, and a really good story is worth re-telling. There's such a warm feeling that permeates the show."

"It's like visiting an old friend," says Jesse Carrey-Beavers, who plays Jim, Della's husband. "Everyone knows how it's going to end, but they're all wearing interesting new clothes, you might say. Both of our characters, who have been married for a year, are going through similar struggles."

The other members of the cast are Michael Keyloun as the Wise Man and Sandy York as the Wise Woman. Those two actors play all the other characters -- so there will be more than a dozen costumes for each and accents ranging from Scottish to Cockney English, Irish and others. Both are described in publicity materials as rather mysterious figures who comment on the action of the play.

The musicians -- who will be in the "pit" for this production, rather than upstairs, out of view -- are: Andrew Cooke on keyboard, Leanne Day-Simpson on violin, Pat Lindsey on percussion, Barry McVinney on reeds and Brian Wolverton on bass.

Additional play performance events include:

• At noon today, the Clinton School of Public Service Distinguished Speaker Series will present Producing Artistic Director Miller-Stephany and members of the cast and creative team in a panel discussion at the Clinton School of Public Service, 1200 President Clinton Ave. To reserve seats, email publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or call (501) 683-5239.

• At 6 p.m. today, the play's second preview performance of opening week will include Beer Night, provided by Lost Forty Brewing and the Arkansas Times.

• At 6:15 p.m. today, the preshow director's talks return, with insights into the production from Miller-Stephany and members of the creative team.

• At 5:30 p.m. Friday, the Rep recently inaugurated Opening Night Dinner, in celebration of Miller-Stephany's first programmed season at the Rep. The three-course dinner will be held in the Rep's Rehearsal Hall, with predinner libations. Cost is $55 per person; for reservations, call (501) 378-0405. (Tickets to the performance are not included.)

• Also on Friday there will be an opening night post-show reception with the cast, with complimentary toast provided by La Marca Prosecco and light hors d'oeuvres from RSVP Catering.

• At 7 p.m. Sunday (only on Dec. 3), "Pay Your Age Night" will permit those between ages 22 and 40 to pay the equivalent of their age for a ticket. There are 100 such tickets for sale and only four tickets per household will be sold, with proof of age for each person in a party required at the time of pickup of the tickets. There will be a complimentary wine tasting provided by Legacy Wine and Spirits.

• On Wednesday, immediately following the performance, "Epilogue: A Conversation with the Actors," will feature a discussion with members of the cast.

• At 6 p.m. Dec. 7, Stone's Throw Brewery will sponsor Beer Night.

• At 7 p.m., Dec. 13, the performance will include a sign interpreter positioned in front of a special section signing directly for those who need his or her services. Call the box office to book tickets.

• On Dec. 23, following the evening performance, there will be an after-party, with drinks and appearances by cast members in Foster's. (Tickets are not required for the party.)

Weekend on 11/30/2017