“The best things in life are free.”
That oft-regurgitated mantra, ever-popular during the holiday season, has become for some a tired cliché bereft of meaning. It’s so over-used that often it takes something truly transcendent to remind people of the statement’s undeniable veracity.
Enter Theatre Orangeville’s The Gift of the Magi, which not only serves as that powerful reminder – just in time for the holidays – but also thoroughly entertains those fortunate enough to behold it.
The Christmas musical by Leslie Arden, set in the early 1900s, relays the compelling story of Jimmy Valentine (played by Mark Uhre), a thief just released from prison who falls for ambitious-yet-guarded bank teller Adeline “Della” Adams (Mairi Babb) while scoping out his next heist.
Keeping his past a secret is made difficult for Jimmy due to the persistence of officer Ben Price (Cyrus Lane), who’s determined to put Jimmy back behind bars for previous – and possibly future – crimes.
Ben pressures Jimmy’s best friend Mike (Cory O’Brien) and his wife Bessie (Glynis Ranney) for clues on Jimmy’s whereabouts, but to no avail – at least at first.
Jimmy manages to stay one step ahead of the law and live a clean life, thanks to the influence of his beloved Della.
But love doesn’t pay the bills and when their impoverished lives become too much to bear, both Jimmy and Della consider drastic measures just to be able to afford a Christmas gift for one another.
The Gift of the Magi is filled with powerful performances from start to finish from an extremely talented cast.
Lane, O’Brien and Ranney are remarkable in their respective roles, including several smaller parts not listed in the program. From minor appearances to significant portrayals, and from simple conversations to intricate vocal performances, all three are great in their supporting roles.
Impressively, their performances stand out in a production that is carried by Babb and Uhre, the real stars of the show.
Babb is the vocal anchor of the play, boasting near flawless timing and intonation. Nowhere is that more evident than during a number in which she bemoans having just $1.87 to her name. And Babb is no slouch with the spoken word either, showing great chemistry alongside Uhre.
The relationship between Della and Jimmy – and likewise the chemistry between Babb and Uhre – is solidified during a compelling scene that relays how both characters coped as children with the death of a parent.
Uhre is a delight as the ex-con trying simultaneously to conceal his past and carve out a new future. Thanks to Uhre’s dynamic portrayal, audiences will certainly sympathize with Jimmy’s desire to make something of himself and with his longing for something more than just “getting by.”
Uhre also offers amazing vocal performances commensurate with those offered by Babb.
A great addition to the production are the adorable Hayla Howat and Lindsay Scheel, local girls who offer realistic yet not overstated supporting performances as Agatha and May, the children of Flora, a secondary character played by Ranney.
And the Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers are back to offer their usual festive flare, though this time in a fittingly scaled-back role.
The costumes, set design and choreography are all wonderful, and director David Nairn seems to have provided his usual steady hand to the production.
Audiences may notice there should be more of a discrepancy between the volume of the piano and the vocals. It’s difficult to know how to correct the issue – loud microphones on the actors would clearly be overkill – but at times vocals were muffled due to the volume of the live piano.
Audiences may also notice a bit of a disconnect between the first and second acts, but that is a direct result of the origin of the script – and not any weaknesses contained therein.
The play is based on two stories by William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry – The Gift of the Magi and A Retrieved Reformation. Two years ago Arden wrote a single-act musical adaptation of The Gift of the Magi and then, after pitching the idea to Nairn, she added an adaptation of A Retrieved Reformation as a prequel, resulting in the two-act The Gift of the Magi now playing at Theatre Orangeville.
In addition to playwright duties – including the script, music and lyrics – Arden is also the play’s musical director, performing all music live on a large on-stage piano. She is brilliant as a pianist, but it is her skills as a composer, lyricist and storyteller that truly drive the production.
It is a spectacular musical befitting the holiday season, replete with several very timely reminders: namely that there’s always someone less fortunate out there, and that yes, the best things in life are indeed free.
The Gift of the Magi plays five shows a week until Dec. 20. For tickets call 519-942-3423 or 1-800-424-1295 or visit www.theatreorangeville.ca.
