'O. Henry Christmas' reminds us what the season is all about

By ALAN R. HALL, Correspondent

CHAPEL HILL NEWS -- PlayMakers' "An O. Henry Christmas" is made up of two of the author's stories, "The Gift of the Magi" (perhaps the best-known of all the O. Henry stories) and a completely different tale about two young women trying to make a name for themselves as artists in turn-of-the-century New York in 1905. "The Gift of the Magi" has only two characters, and the tale is a short story, after all, so there was not much material there for a theatrical dazzler.

But adapter Peter Ekstrom and guest actors Stephanie Lynge (Della) and Jay Montgomery (Jim) played us a tale so full of joy, so musically sound and inventive, and so very much in love were these two characters, that the story we all knew by heart became more than a tale of sacrifice made in love; it showed us that these two were so much in love, and so young, that disappointment was sloughed off and laughter filled the voids, so that, even as poor as they were -- so poor they could not even afford to buy each other a Christmas present -- they were truly happy.

The fact that they lived in a one-room, third-floor walk-up was something they accepted as temporary, for all the dreams and aspirations of these two young people were still new and still strong. And if they were poor now, it certainly would not last.

There is comedy also in this Christmas tale. The two find fine sport in a pillow fight before Jim must march off through the snow to his clerk's job, at $20/week. He must be gone all the day, but as Della reminds us, tomorrow is Christmas, and Jim will be home all day, and that is enough for her.

From this point on, the show is actually Della's, and Stephanie Lynge certainly makes the most of it. We see her delight at having concealed "a fortune" in pennies in a glass jar, by scrimping every way she could, and when she sings "What Can I Give Him," especially when she discovers that her treasure is only $1.87, it's enough to break your heart.

Then, as she digs out an advertisement she was keeping, she reads about the salon of Madam Safronie, who makes human-hair wigs, and will pay her handsomely for her lovely, brunette hair that falls to her waist. Jim loves her hair; indeed, she loves her hair. But she is resolved, and does the deed, and it is enough so that, along with her $1.87 in pennies, she has enough to get Jim a gold chain watch-fob for his gold pocket watch, handed down to him from his father.

All of the action of this tale takes place in Jim and Della's one-room apartment, so when she returns from her journey into the Christmas-Eve weather, we know that it cannot be long before Jim arrives. She is now afraid that he will be angry with her, and consoles herself with the possibility that he won't notice.

But immediately upon his arrival, the first words out of his mouth are "Your Hair Is Gone!" and that's all he can find to say, over and over, throughout the entire song that bears that title. It is a hoot of a musical game.

She finally understands his consternation when he gives her the present he has purchased for her -- beautiful (but very expensive) combs for her hair.

The rest you know. But these two actors do a splendid job, and the fact that we already know how it will end matters not a whit.

There are, of course, four actors, that being the number of characters needed for "The Last Leaf," the tale on the other side of the intermission. But the two who are not in Della and Jim's story are kept very busy, providing all the items -- from walls to coat hangers -- that could not be supplied on such a minimalist set. It adds to the fun of the first act to watch how they go about it, arriving at just the right second to supply a coffee cup, a scarf, and many other such manifestations.

Dooley and Lauren Ellis play their own props, and give us a real treat as they do it. It is a stroke of genius on the part of director Ted Shaffner to play these two as an integral part of the story, and not keep them waiting offstage until their play rolls 'round.

"The Last Leaf" is altogether a darker tale than is its partner. We meet two young women, Sue (Lynge) and Johnsy (Ellis), who have thrown their lots together in order to save expenses and rented rooms in Greenwich Village that supply both with studio and home. From their first meeting ("What's She Like?") there is an undercurrent of dread, and though the two become the best of friends, there is still something about Johnsy that troubles Sue -- such as her sudden question, filled with anxiety, "Sue, do you believe in Hell?"

These two very different tales of sacrifice and love combine to make a Christmas offering that is at the same time gentle and strong, sad and joyous, and completely right for the season. These five actors combine fine characterizations, several superb songs, and voices that sound like these songs were written for them. The stories are, of course, extremely sentimental, and even a bit too full of morality, but that is what has endeared a century's worth of readers to O. Henry's stories.

This brand-new production for the PlayMakers' Christmas season is a reminder of what Christmas is supposed to be about: love, connection, caring and nurture. For just under two hours, we have been able to return to that simpler time when the Christmas season was more than mega-shopping and hassles in the stores, with the kids' toys, with Christmas dinner and all those guests! It is a reminder that gifts do not make Christmas; only people can make Christmas.

"An O. Henry Christmas" runs now through Dec. 22 at 8 nightly except Monday, and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tuesday night is community night, and all general admission tickets are $9. For ticket information, and to reserve seats for "An O. Henry Christmas," call 962-7529.