Providence Players of Fairfax

“Brimming with the spirit of giving and the warmth of a classic romance, The Gift of the Magi is a magnificent, early American alternative to another seasonal fare…a heart-warming and wholesome event that could melt the Grinch’s cold heart.”

For theatre-goers of all ages, The Gift of the Magi is a gift that gives a huge tug to the heart-strings and is a perfect balm for a weary world. You won’t want to miss this holiday hit.”

~ Lee Jeffreys, Maryland Theater Guide Arts Critic

Click on the banner below to read the full review.

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“The Gift of the Magi is a lovely way to honor and celebrate the true gifts of Christmas. See it with someone you love!”
~ Julia L. Exline, DC Metro Theater Arts critic

“Brimming with the spirit of giving and the warmth of a classic romance, The Gift of the Magi is a magnificent, early American alternative to another seasonal fare…a heart-warming and wholesome event that could melt the Grinch’s cold heart.”
~ Lee Jeffreys, Maryland Theater Guide critic

Click on the banners below to read the DC Metro Theater Arts and Maryland Theatre Guide reviews.

Audience members shared:

“If this doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, then I don’t know what will!” Jonathan S., Opening Weekend Patron
“Spectacular!”  Kathy M., Opening Weekend Patron
“We didn’t realize how funny it was going to be.”  Julie M., Opening Weekend Patron
“What a sweet example of true love, one for all us during this holiday season.”  Joan N., Opening Weekend Patron

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Join us for this holiday favorite – good for the entire family!

David Siegel and Connection Newspapers present a sneak peek into Providence Players’ holiday production, The Gift of the Magi, by Jon Jory.  Click on the banner below to read the full article and interview with insights from the director, Beth Gilles-Whitehead.

Providence Players production, The Gift of the Magi, opens Friday, December 6.  Get your tickets today!

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By William Inge
Directed by Michael Donahue

On a sweltering Labor Day morning in a small Kansas town, the women of a quiet neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks are preparing for the annual picnic. Their lives are disrupted when Hal Carter, a muscular and charming young drifter, hops off the freight train, and heads straight for Mrs. Potts’ hospitable home.  Hearts are broken and lives are changed, as Hal’s lively, dangerous, masculine energy wakes up the sleepy community.  William Inge’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama explores themes of sexuality, repression, restlessness, and rites of passage.  Picnic won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play in 1953.  

Providence Players of Fairfax is:

• A non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer basis. No members of the cast or crew are compensated.
• A membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, all actors (and in fact, all volunteers), are required to become members of Providence Players of Fairfax ($25 per individual or $60 per family – three or more) for the season (if not already a member).

Casting Announcement

Providence Players is casting 11 roles (7 Women and 4 Men).  No roles are precast, and all roles are open.  All backgrounds, ages, ethnicities welcome and encouraged to audition!  All welcome!

Download all three documents: Audition Announcement, Form and Theater Access Schedule.

Audition Dates

6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10
Callbacks, if needed:  6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17

PLEASE RSVP to info@providenceplayers.org with the date you plan to attend.

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A remarkable director and cast present The Gift of the Magi.  Opens Friday, December 6.

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Beth Gilles-Whitehead (Director) was most recently seen on stage with PPF as Barbara in August: Osage County.  Last year she directed A Christmas Carol, and before that the multiple WATCH nominated productions, To Kill a Mockingbird (nominated as best director) and All My Sons, which received the Ruby Griffith Award for All Round Production Excellence, their top award. Her other acting work includes: Bananas in The House of Blue Leaves, Mame Dennis in Auntie Mame, (WATCH nomination) Charlotte Hay in Moon Over Buffalo, M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Meg in Crimes of the Heart and Romaine Vole in Witness for the Prosecution, (WATCH nomination). She has a BA in theatre from the University of Washington, Seattle and an MFA in theatre from Cornell University.  Her favorite degree is wife of David and mother of her four kids and their awesome spouses and soon to be grandmother.

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Can you recall the most memorable gift you have ever received?

The Gift of Friends!

“Ten years ago, cancer struck me for the second time.  Three of my girlfriends showed up to help me through those “chemo days”.  Janice, Momi and Meg were strangers to each other then, but not for long.  We  four formed the “Front Row Center” ladies and started attending every season of Providence Players.  What a marvelous gift!  Thank you for entertaining us so wonderfully!”  (Thank you, Sharon, for your story and your patronage!)  [Photo: Left to right, Janice Thompson, Sharon Roslund, Momi Sekhon and Meg Irish.]

Sharon Roslund, long-term patron

Coming to the United States! (A video)

“To be honest, personally, it was being able to come to the U.S.   A lot of people outside the U.S. – other countries – don’t have what the U.S. provides.  The infrastructure, the way things are, the way society is, the way the cultural is, the way the customs are.  All the opportunities…so I think that is the best gift I got in my life my parents.  If I’m really honest, now I’m at the point where I can use my mind, I can use my brain to get what I need in life…”  See the entire video.

Anand Tripathi, plays Digsby in “The Gift of the Magi”

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On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Beth Whitehead is pleased to announce the cast of The Gift of the Magi.

Adapted by Jon Jory
Original story by O. Henry

This heartwarming, romantic holiday favorite tells the story of Della and Jim, who are desperately in love with each other but also very poor. In their attempts to buy each other proper Christmas gifts, a strange twist of fate leads the couple to find the perfect gifts for one another — but at an unexpected cost. Though they may not have the perfect Christmas, the couple learns about the importance of the gift of love in this beautiful adaptation of the story by O. Henry.  An inspiring holiday feel-good story, suitable for the entire family!

Cast (in order of appearance)

Jim – Alex Marshall
Digsby – Anand Tripathi
Della – Jessica Singley
Dot – Emily-Grace Rowson
Clarice – Bo Villa
Art – Thomas Udlock
Bootman – DS “David” Rawlings
Shopgirl – Mandi Ellis
Madame Vodvaskaya – Robey Manno
Ensemble – Judi Deatherage
Ensemble – Earle S Greene
Ensemble – Gunner Moskowitz
Ensemble – Louisa Stanwich
Musician – Sarah Maurer

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This is a fun, lovely-to-look-at-show, with lively performances, brisk pacing, and a few chills as we head to Halloween. It’s a bracing ride.”  – Mary Ann Johnson, Maryland Theater Guide Critic

One Weekend Remains – Only Three Performances Left! And Then There Were None closes October 19!  Don’t miss this critically-acclaimed Agatha Christie favorite!
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Only Two Weekends Remain! And Then There Were None closes October 19!  Don’t miss this critically-acclaimed Agatha Christie favorite!

Audience members shared:

“A witch-hunt that kept me guessing ‘til the end!  RIVETING!”
“Great show!  Really entertaining!”
“It was everything I wanted!”
“It kept me guessing, and I kept getting surprised.”
“The actors were exceptionally good.  What a cast!”
“The set [is] just gorgeous – with lots of unusual little touches.”
“The costumes were wonderful!”

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“…the overall quality was fantastic. With a talented cast and imaginative crew, Providence Players does Agatha Christie justice with one of her most treasured works.” “…a well-worthy night of entertainment–it’s a great way to get into the spirit of Halloween!”
– Julia L. Exline, DC Metro Theater Arts Critic

Click on the banner below to read the full review.

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