A new original musical inspired by O. Henry's classic holiday story is settling into the Historic Third Ward this season, with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre staging a Milwaukee premiere of A Gift of the Magi at the Studio Theatre inside the Broadway Theatre Center. The production runs November 13 through December 6, bringing the tale of newlyweds Della and Jim to the stage with live violin and cello accompaniment and an original score.
According to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, the show is billed as a Milwaukee Premiere, and the theater says it appears through an agreement with Actors' Equity Association. The musical, written by local playwright James DeVita and composer Josh Schmidt, follows the familiar O. Henry setup: a poor young couple in turn-of-the-20th-century New York each secretly sells a prized possession to buy the other a Christmas gift, only to discover their sacrifices have left both gifts rendered useless. The production features Jonathan Gillard Daly, Dimonte Henning and Jamie Mercado, with Jamie Mercado playing Della, Dimonte Henning playing Jim, and Jonathan Gillard Daly playing O. Henry himself.
As reported by Urban Milwaukee, the show is directed by Alexander Coddington with Kelly Doherty serving as assistant director, while Jill Anna Ponasik directs the music. The score is performed live by violinist Susan Nicholson and cellist Sky Yela, giving the production the intimate, chamber-music feel the theater promotes alongside its listing of a live violin and cello score.
A Different Kind of Role for Henning
Dimonte Henning, who plays Jim, told Urban Milwaukee that the role let him explore a different side of his range, saying Jim's sensitivity and love for his wife allowed him to explore a different kind of role. Henning, a Milwaukee-based actor, producer, director and educator who was recently announced as Black Arts MKE's new artistic director, also called the musical a Christmas treat and said love is a universal language, making the show relevant today.
Per Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, the production runs approximately 90 minutes including intermission and is recommended for ages 8 and up. As reported by TMJ4, theatergoers can save 20% on performances through November 29 using promo code OHENRY.
Special Performances Through the Run
The theater's listing includes several add-on dates for audiences who want more than a standard night out. A pay-what-you-choose performance is set for November 16 at 7:30 p.m., while talkbacks follow the 7:30 p.m. performances on November 19 and December 3. An understudy performance is scheduled for November 24 at 7:30 p.m., rounding out a run that closes December 6.
Part of a Broader Wisconsin Trend
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's staging arrives amid renewed interest in Magi adaptations around the state. American Players Theatre in Spring Green produced its own adaptation of The Gift of the Magi as its first holiday play in November 2010, later refining the production and adding seven new songs, according to madison.com. That company staged its version as a full-length musical in its indoor Touchstone Theatre, per American Players Theatre. Third Avenue PlayWorks also staged its own chamber musical version of A Gift of the Magi, by the same writing team of James DeVita and Josh Schmidt, from December 11–29, 2024, with a Pay-What-You-Will preview on December 11, according to Third Avenue PlayWorks.
Composer Josh Schmidt received a 2026 Tony Award nomination for Best Sound Design of a Play, a credit that underscores the pedigree behind Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's production. For Third Ward audiences looking for a holiday outing with a local pedigree and a handful of neighborhood ties, A Gift of the Magi offers a compact, music-driven retelling of a story that has endured since O. Henry first published it in 1905.
