LBSC Offers “Gift of the Magi”

by Noella Noelophile®

(Royalty-free image by Monika from Pixabay.)

“One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all…And the next day would be Christmas…”

I still remember reading those words from O. Henry’s immortal Christmas classic, The Gift of the Magi.

Thousands of miles away and more than half a lifetime later, they bring back wonderful memories.

Interestingly enough, though, O. Henry’s story of the New York husband and wife who made great sacrifices to give each other Christmas gifts, doesn’t seem to be presented onstage very often, at Christmastime.

A “Gift” for audiences

(Royalty-free image by Bruno from Pixabay.)

This Christmas season, however, Long Beach Shakespeare Company is bringing “Jim” and “Della” to life.

They’ll be presenting a total of eight performances of The Gift of the Magi.  Opening night is Friday, November 24th, with curtain time at 8:00 pm.

And if you’re planning to bring someone you love to see the show, now might be a great time to buy tickets!

The show runs weekends through December 10th, with 8:00 performances on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 pm matinee performances on Sundays.

(Royalty-free image by Angelina Ho from Pixabay.)

Of note is the stage adaptation, written by the late Helen Borgers–who served as LBSC’s artistic director from 1997 until her passing in 2017.   The script is modernized by Lauren Velasco, who starred in the production when Helen directed it in 2013.

Continuing to give credit where credit is due, Theresa Hill is the director, while LBSC Artistic Director Holly Leveque produced this production.

Long Beach Shakespeare Company will also be offering a second Christmastime show this year: their traditional A Christmas Carol Radio Show, which will be viewable around the world as they live-stream their performances, December 15th through 17th.  (Here’s the link for tickets, if you prefer to attend in-person and watch them create live radio-theatre magic!)

But for a special start to Christmas season 2023,  you may well want to venture back to O. Henry’s New York of the early twentieth century–and a married couple who discovered the ways that love can be the ultimate gift.

Long Beach Shakespeare Company’s weekend performances of “The Gift of the Magi” will run from Friday, November 24th through Sunday, December 10th.  Friday and Saturday evening shows begin at 8, with Sunday matinees at 2 pm at the Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Avenue (between Burlinghall and Cartagena) in Long Beach.  Here’s the link for information.