O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf
Thestories of O.Henryare the basis for this pair of one-act chamber-sized musicals by Peter Ekstrom (Kiss Me Quick Before the Lava Reaches the Village). "The Gift of the Magi" is the famous tale about a couple who sacrifice everything to give each other a Christmas present. (The story is printed in full in the CD booklet.)Emily Loesser(Frank's daughter) and husbandDon Stephensondeliver the warm and witty score (the lilting "Tomorrow Is Christmas," the frenzied "Your Hair Is Gone!"), then are joined byTheresa McCarthyandBruce Adlerfor "The Last Leaf," another tale of selfless giving. It's more somber than "Magi," but has some lovely, soaring songs, especially for the women ("Listen to the Wind," the title tune), and the minimal accompaniment of piano, cello, harp, and clarinet conveys the perfect atmosphere.--David Horiuchi