The Gift of the Magi Comes to The Schoolhouse Theater for the Holidays

A new stage production of O. Henry’s classic holiday story, The Gift of the Magi, is sure to enchant audiences at The Schoolhouse Theater, with weekend performances December 10-20. In a fresh adaptation by artistic director Bram Lewis, with the music of Scott Joplin woven throughout, O. Henry’s characters search deeply for the true meaning of Christmas.

“One dollar and 87 cents. That was all. Della counted it 3 times. One dollar and 87 cents...and tomorrow was Christmas.” O. Henry’s classic and perhaps best known work is a turn of the 20th century Christmas love story set against a back drop of the immigrant streets of New York, with all the wonder of the three wise men who gave the first gifts of Christmas. Audiences will be treated to a “cookies and carols” sing-a-long at intermission.

Timothy Carter will perform the role of Jim, Carey Van Driest will play Della, and Schoolhouse veteran, Len Gochman, will narrate. Carter and Van Driest worked together earlier this year in a production of The International at Playwrights Horizon in New York City.

Carter recently played the role of Leanne’s father on the original cable hit series, Orange Is the New Black. His most recent theatre credits were Charlie in The Whale at the Adirondack Theatre Festival and the title role in Henry VIII at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He played Scar in the national tour of The Lion King for three years and held lead roles in the national tour production of The Three Musketeers and Macbeth with The Acting Company. He has also played major roles at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, Westport Country Playhouse, Northern Stage, New Repertory Theatre, and the Fulton Opera House.

Carey Van Driest has appeared on the Netflix original series, House of Cards. She can be seen on film in “A Family Dinner,” and “Santa’s Coming.” On stage, in addition to The International, Van Driest has performed in productions of Othello, The Tempest and A Winter’s Tale and has performed in regional theater productions in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Alabama. She is an Associate Producer for New York Shakespeare Exchange’s internationally recognized The Sonnet Project. www.sonnetprojectnyc.com. Her voiceover work for international documentaries, national commercials, animation and radio can be heard at www.careyvandriest.com.

Len Gochman is a Carmel resident and proud Board member of the Schoolhouse Theater. His long career in theater and television includes leading roles on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Little Night Music, Woody Allen’s Don’t Drink the Water and Finian’s Rainbow. His Off-Broadway credits include Dear Oscar, Tuscaloosa’s Calling Me but I’m Not Going, and Irma La Duce. On TV he has been featured in Another World in Somerset, and has made guest appearances on Law and Order. His voice has been heard on numerous award winning TV and radio commercials and narrations.

The Gift of the Magi runs December 10 through December 20, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, with Sunday matinees at 3pm. Individual tickets are $38 for adults, $35 for senior citizens, and $15 for students.

Over the years, The Schoolhouse Theater has earned a reputation as the go-to theater in Westchester, where audiences can see Broadway-quality productions at a fraction of the cost. The Schoolhouse is a regional Equity theater, dedicated to presenting professional productions by award-winning playwrights and supporting and promoting all the arts.

The Schoolhouse is located at 3 Owens Road, Croton Falls, NY, just off exit 8 on I-684, and can be “Liked” on Facebook. For more information about The Schoolhouse, visit www.schoolhousetheater.org or call 914-277-8477.