'The Blue Carbuncle with Sherlock Holmes'/ 'The Gift of the Magi', a double bill, at the WorkShop Theater

JB Theatrical Productions in association with WorkShop Theater Company presents The Blue Carbuncle with Sherlock Holmes and The Gift of the Magi, a double bill at of Christmas themed plays for the holiday season, playing at the WorkShop Theater from 6 - 22 Dec 2007.

Adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story by Andrew Joffe.
Cast: Paul Singleton (Holmes), Todd Butera (Dr. Watson), Kate Andres, Bruce Barton, Jodie Bentley, Tom DelPizzo, Michael Gnat, Richard Kent Green, Tyler Hollinger, Jon Lonoff, Kelly Campbell and Ken Linsk.
Synopsis: A Christmas story for the sleuth in all of us. The gem of this story has a history of murders and violence behind it, and is discovered in the crop of a Christmas goose after being stolen from its owner's jewel case. Guilt has been placed upon a plumber who protests his innocence. Holmes and Watson set out across the city to determine exactly how the stolen jewel wound up in a goose's crop.

Adapted from O. Henry's short story by Andrew Joffe.
Cast: Tyler Hollinger (Jim), Jodie Bentley (Della) and Richard Kent Green (Porter).
Synopsis: Tells of a New York Christmas in 1905. Della and Jim, a poor working class couple, very much in love, struggle to find the money to buy each other Christmas gifts. Ultimately, to raise the necessary money, each spouse sacrifices what he and she holds most precious, bringing on surprising and ironic results. Their unselfish love, the story suggests, is like the gifts given to the babe in the manger by the Three Magi. The story contains many of the elements for which O. Henry is widely known, including poor, working-class characters, a humorous tone, realistic detail and a surprise ending.

Both plays are directed by Kathleen Brant, and feature set design by Stefani Oxman, costumes by Anna Gerdes and lighting by Lauren Duffie.

Jeffrey Buchsbaum will arrange a musical prelude to the evening, eliciting the spirit of Christmas with a collection of original holiday songs by various composers, all published by Justin Wilde. Live violin music, played by Ken Linsk will compliment both plays. Music for "The Blue Carbuncle" will contain traditional Christmas Carolers, singing on the streets of London.