A M E R I C A N A P R E S E N T S
Tickets on Sale Now! D E C E M B E R 5 - 16
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The Gifts of the Magi is a heart-warming theatrical treat, drawn from the story by the immortal O.Henry. Guests will enter into an interactive turn of the century New England Christmas party hosted by Jim and Della Dillingham. Enjoy carols, hot apple cider and then guests will be invited to take their seats as the story of Jim and Della's first Christmas unfolds before them. Don't miss this delightful night at the theatre suitable for the whole family (recommended for children 6 and over).
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$35.00 adults $30.00 seniors | students Plymouth Center for the Arts
December 5 - 16, 2018 11 North Street, Plymouth, Mass.
MARIANNE SAVELL
Returning Director
Washington
Merry Christmas from Americana Theatre Company!
I’ve spent several summers in Plymouth directing plays for Americana and frankly have come to need my New England summer adventures. So to come during this special time of year, for the first time, and enjoy the beauty of the area and the kindness of the wonderful people who live here has been a joy.
We are so happy to bring you Mark St. Germain & Randy Court’s little musical of O’Henry’s beloved story The Gift of the Magi. If you’re like me, you’ve read the short story, seen different iterations of this timeless tale of sacrifice or simply know the tale by osmosis. Our hope is that your heart is opened to the possibility of sacrifice and kindness for your fellow man - mindfully moving through this Christmas season with joy and gratitude.
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Gary Higgins / Patriot Ledger
Photo Credit: Gary Higgins / Patriot Ledger
Posted Dec 1, 2018 at 5:04 AM
http://www.patriotledger.com/entertainmentlife/20181201/christmas-present
Like a novel tree ornament, a new holiday show can add a lift to familiar holiday traditions. “The Gift of the Magi,” by Americana Theatre Company of Plymouth, is performed far less often than “A Christmas Carol,” but expresses the same spirit of the season with an adaptation of stories by the preeminent American writer O. Henry.
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“It’s got tons of heart, a little of that Christmas ache, but also comedy,” said Marianne Savell, who directs the production that runs Dec. 5-16 at Plymouth Center for the Arts.
In the 90-minute musical, a young married couple very much in love argues, stressed by lack of money and work. Though desperately poor, they each decide to sacrifice a prized possession to buy a gift: Jim sells his heirloom pocket watch and buys jeweled combs for his wife’s hair; Della sells her beautiful, long hair to buy her husband a platinum chain for his watch. When it becomes clear the gifts no longer have a purpose, they become something even more important.
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“They thought these gifts would make a difference, but the truth is that the gifts themselves become meaningless,” Savell said. “What really matters is the love and support behind them.”
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Unlike the biblical magi known as Wise Men or Kings who bring impressive gifts to baby Jesus, Jim and Della are ordinary, poor folk in New York City in the early 1900s. And that has its own Christmas message. “Ordinary people can give as profound gifts as wise men,” she said.
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The musical – based on O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Cop and the Anthem” – is narrated by a newsboy, who watches the couple and various residents of New York City, in particular a homeless man who tries to get arrested so he can spend the holidays out of the cold in a heated jail cell. Like Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol,” the child is the voice of wisdom. “He’s hoping the audience can see how much the couple loves each other, and the audience will feel love too,” said Savell, who also directed the theater company’s “An Inspector Calls” and “Moonlight and Magnolias.”
Theater preview The Gift of the Magi
Presented by the Americana Theatre Company, Dec. 5-16 at the Center for the Arts, 11 North St., Plymouth. $35 adults, $30 students and seniors.
508-591-0282, americanatheatre.org.
Premiering in New York City more than 30 years ago, “The Gift of the Magi” is written by Mark St. Germain, who also wrote “Freud’s Last Session,” and music is by Randy Courts. The two co-wrote the lyrics, and a pianist provides the accompaniment. The six-person cast features American Theatre Company members David Friday, Erin Friday, Jesse Sullivan and Gavin Killea, as well as two New York actors. Before the performance, audience can enjoy carols and hot apple cider.
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Americana Theatre Company is comprised of professionals who have worked from the highest quality regional theaters across the country from L.A. to NYC We are proud to present you actors of the highest professional caliber.
WINTER SEASON 2018
CAST & CREW
Marianne Savell
Returning Artist | Director
Washington
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Marianne Savell (Director) is an award winning actor and director from Seattle, WA. Americana directing credits: Grease, The Three Musketeers, Moonlight & Magnolias And An Inspector Calls. Other Directing Credits Include: The Christians, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Jeff Nominated), Gulf View Drive (World Premiere, Best Ensemble), Wit (La Weekly Award Best Revival), A Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Intelligent Design Of Jenny Chow, King Lear, Hamlet, Freud’s Last Session, Ice Island: The Wait For Shackleton, Lady Windemere’s Fan And As It Is In Heaven (West Coast Premiere, Best Ensemble). Marianne served as the Producing Director of Actors Co-op theatre company in Hollywood, on the Advisory Board of Provision Theatre in Chicago and was a participant at the New Harmony Project. Marianne is an alumnus and participant of Director’s Lab West and an Associate Artist at Taproot Theatre in Seattle. She is a member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA and SDC. Training: MFA Acting, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Sarah Troxler
Guest Artist | Music Director
Massachusetts
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Sarah Troxler (Music Director) is excited to make her Americana debut! Recent MD credits include: Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, Urinetown, Nunsense, Peter and the Starcatcher, If/Then and Beauty and the Beast. Sarah also serves as Piano Department Chair at South Shore Conservatory. Love to BBBB!.
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Brian Kenerson
Returning Artist | Costumer
New York
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Brian is so excited to be returning to Americana! Originally from the South Shore of Massachusetts, Brian now lives in New York City. Favorite roles include Man 1 in last summer’s Lucky Stiff, Witch (Into The Woods), Igor (Young Frankenstein), and Sister Mary Amnesia (Nunsense). Brian made his Carnegie Hall debut this February in the east coast premiere of Ticheli’s Shore Symphony No. 3.
Robin Lillie
Returning Artist | Production Stage Manager
California
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Robin is a senior at William Jessup University, majoring in Theatre, specializing in Technical & Design. Past Jessup credits: Set ASM (It’s a Wonderful Life - KCACTF Meritorious Achievement Award), Props ASM (Guys and Dolls), PSM (Scrooge the Musical - KCACTF Meritorious Achievement Award), Sherlock Holmes…Hound of the Baskervilles (KCACTF Meritorious Achievement Award), and PSM (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast). “Thanks and love to all those who have supported me and push me to do better. Enjoy the show!”
Jesse Sullivan
Company Member | Artistic Director | Producer
Massachusetts
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Americana: Dr. Carrasco (Man of La Mancha), George Horvath (Parfumerie), George Bailey (It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play), Athos (The Three Musketeers), Selznick (Moonlight and Magnolias), Richard/William (The Cottage), Michael Hosea (Redeeming Love), Inspector (An Inspector Calls). National Tours: Miss Saigon and Coupeau/Fight Captain (The Scarlet Pimpernel). NY credits include Scandalous People, Clarence (NY Fridge), Gregory (Battleship Potemkin with the York Theatre Co.), Ben Hecht (Moonlight and Magnolias), and Jeff (Map to Buddha with Remote Theatre Co.). Regional credits: Sheriff Joe Sutter/Fight Captain (The Spitfire Grill), Fight Captain (The Game, World Premier), Annie Get Your Gun (u/s). Apostle (Jesus Christ Superstar), Joe Hardy (Damn Yankees), Marco (Carnival) Cinderella’s Prince (Into the Woods), Orin (Little Shop of Horrors). Training: BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Hartford, The Hartt School.
David Friday
Company Member | Managing Director | City Him
Massachusetts
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Full time company member and Managing Director, David has had a blast as the Innkeeper/ Governor (Man of La Mancha), Mr. Sipos (Parfumerie), Vince Fontaine (Grease), Porthos (The Three Musketeers) and It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. A graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, David has been rather nomadic, living and performing on stage, television, radio and film, in NYC, Indiana, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, but is happy to settle down in Carver with his wonderful wife, Erin and 2 beautiful girls, Karly and Lexi. Most recently he served as Technical Director for The Company Of Pittsburgh and appeared in productions of Oklahoma!, Man Of LaMancha, and can be seen in the film Love The Coopers. “Autism awareness rocks!”
Erin Friday
Company Member | Educational Director | City Her
Massachusetts
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Erin is thrilled to be performing in her 7th show with Americana Theatre Company. Past roles include Housekeeper (Man of LaMancha), Violet Bick (It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play), Landlady (Lucky Stiff), Ilona Pierce (Parfumerie), Ms. Lynch (Grease), Mary (It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play). Other favorite roles include Irene Molloy (Hello Dolly), Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), Urleen (Footloose), Bird Girl (Seussical), Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), and Guinevere (Camelot). Erin wants to thank her parents for all their help and support during the crazy theater rehearsal period! Thanks Karly and Lexi for being the coolest kids and allowing mom and dad to do their thing! Thanks to David for sharing the stage, work, and life with me! Wouldn't want to do life with anyone else!!!
Gavin Killea
Returning Artist | Jim
Massachusetts
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Gavin is pumped to be back in Plymouth working with Americans. A local actor, this is his fourth production with company including Three Musketeers, Grease, and Man of La Mancha. Shout out to Mom, Dad, Hannah, and Alexis.
Lindsey Zelli
Guest Artist | Della
New York
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Lindsey Zelli is thrilled to be in her first production with the Americana Theatre Company! Recent NY credits include Belle (Beauty and the Beast) and Alice Sycamore (You Can't Take It With You). Thanks to coaches Christiana, Kurt and Amy for their genius guidance and love to husband Jeff, puppy dog Zelda and her incredibly supportive family (and framily). LindseyZelli.com
Stephanie Flores
Guest Artist | Willy
Massachusetts
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​Stephanie is thrilled to be making her professional theater debut with Americana Theatre Company. Steph is a senior at Carver High School and just came off working as Stage Manager and Story Teller in her school's production of Once on This Island. Steph's other credits include Vivienne Kensington (Legally Blonde Jr.), Marcy (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Godspell, and Oklahoma. Stephanie is beyond grateful to her family and friends for supporting her and she looks forward to continuing her career in theater! Enjoy the show!!!
Matthew Maggio
Guest Artist | Soapy
Massachusetts
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Matthew Maggio is a graduate of Bridgewater State College with a BA in Communications and Theater Arts. Past acting credits include Renfield (Dracula), George Banks (Mary Poppins), and Pontius Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar). He is an avid educator and supporter of the arts on the South Shore.