“One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That’s all, and tomorrow is Christmas,” sighed Della in “The Gift of the Magi,” just one of the O. Henry stories adapted and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth, who brings to life 30-plus characters in her memorized, unique tour-de-force storytelling style.
For seven times only, the Equity-professional East Lynne Theater Company will present “O. Henry’s Christmas Tales.” With the exception of “Gift of the Magi,” these have never been performed before by Stahlhuth. The O. Henry selections all take place in Manhattan, have to do with an exact amount of money, and also include “Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen,” “Compliments of the Season” and “One Thousand Dollars.”
“There are just as many real Christmas stories as ever, if we would only dig ‘em up,” wrote O. Henry in his “Unfinished Christmas Story.”
ELTC’s artistic director, Stahlhuth, has been “digging up” and adapting American Christmas stories for Cape May audiences since 2005 and is praised by reviewers and audience alike for quickly shifting from one character to another.
Performances are Friday, Nov. 23, Saturday, Nov. 24, Sunday, Dec. 2, and Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 6-8 at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 8. Location is the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Tickets are $28, $20 for students and military, and ages 12 and under free.
Season tickets for 2019 are available and make a great present! Price is $90 for four shows, if purchased by March 31.
For information and reservations, call (609) 884-5898 or visit www.EastLynneTheater.org.