"The Gift of the Magi" and other short stories from O’Henry

"An Earnest Exploration of Love & Sacrifice in New York City"

The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company and Rina Tee Productions present an anthology of holiday themed short stories exploring love and sacrifice from New York author O’Henry. Included are “The Cop and the Anthem”, “The Last Leaf”, and O’Henry’s beloved classic “The Gift of the Magi”.

The Cop and the Anthem

Soapy is a homeless woman living in Madison Square Park. With the coming of winter, she decides it is better to find another place for herself. Soapy prefers winter at Riker’s Island. But after every attempt to get arrested fails, Soapy finally finds herself in front of an old church. Here she hears the faint anthem of the choir which remind her of old times with family and friends…

The Last Leaf

Two artist and best friends, Sue and Johnsy, live in a little apartment west of Washington Square Park. During a cold and snowy December, Johnsy becomes seriously ill. Growing increasingly fatalistic Johnsy becomes obsessed with the leaves falling from a vine outside her window. She tells Sue she has a theory: after the last leaf falls, she will die. Concerned, Sue tells her neighbor and friend Behrman about Johnsy’s theory. But what can they do before the last leaf falls?

The Gift of the Magi

James and Della Young are a poor young couple living in a small apartment east of Union Square. Despite their poverty, they both individually decide to give each other the “perfect” gift on Christmas Eve. Though each of them fails to find the “perfect” gift, they each are reminded that loving one another is the best gift of all.

Dec. 3 – Dec. 18

at The Gene Frankel Theatre

24 Bond St. Manhattan, New York 10012

Host or Publisher The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company