Maryland Ensemble Theatre to Present THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to present The Gifts of the Magi, a heart-warming, captivating musical treat based on the famous O. Henry story. The holiday tale with music by Randy Courts and lyrics by Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts will be directed by Suzanne Beal with musical direction by Alison Shafer and choreography by Julie Herber. The show will run for five weeks beginning in December.

In The Gifts of the Magi it's Christmas in New York, but for two young lovers, Jim and Della, the prospects are bleak, as both are out of work and penniless. This sentimental holiday musical follows the couple as they struggle to afford gifts for each other. What they find, however, is the true meaning of the holiday and that sacrifice may just be the most meaningful gift of all.

O. Henry was the pen name for the short story writer, William Sydney Porter whose work was well regarded for its wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and surprise endings. The O. Henry short story "Gifts of the Magi" was first published in The New York Sunday World in 1905. The following year it was published in the O. Henry anthology "The Four Million". This stage adaptation was first presented by New York's Lamb's Theatre Company in 1984 and features elements of a second story from the anthology called "The Cop and the Anthem". The book and lyrics for the stage adaptation are by Mark St. Germain who continues to be a prolific playwright, author and film & television writer. The music is by Randy Courts who has collaborated with Germain several times including the stage shows Doctor Dolittle and The Book of the Dun Cow.

Suzanne Beal is the co-artistic director of Rep Stage and has directed numerous shows for MET. She will direct a talented cast featuring Eric Jones, Shelley Hierstetter, Daniel Valentin-Morales, Ray Hatch, Laura Stark and Jeanine Evans . The set is designed by Allison Duvall, with costumes by Robin Shaner, projection design from Ken Poisson, props by Katie Rattigan and lighting design by Doug Grove.

The Gifts of the Magi will run Thursday through Sunday from December 4 to January 3, except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, at MET, located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street in downtown Frederick, MD. There will be a pay-what-you-can preview on December 3 at 8pm (cash only/no reservations).

Tickets to The Gifts of the Magi are $17 through $26 and can be purchased at 301-694-4744, marylandensemble.org or in person at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre box office. As an added service this year the third Thursday of all Mainstage shows will be a sign-interpreted performance; for The Gifts of the Magi that is December 17. This show is made possible in part through the support of MET's season sponsors including Comcast, Frederick Magazine, Key 103, Eagle 106.9, Maryland Oral Surgery Associates, The Frederick News Post and both the Frederick and Maryland Arts Councils. For more information on the MET's production of The Gifts of the Magi or any of the MET's other programs including The Ensemble School, The Fun Company or The Comedy Pigs you can visit marylandensemble.org.

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