THE GIFT  – A HOLIDAY MUSICAL by Lance E. Osborne
Sunday, September 27 at 6:30 PM
Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd. #122
What do lovers love ’bout love? And what happens when two penniless newlyweds are determined to give each other the perfect Christmas gift? Inspired by O. Henry’s beloved The Gift of the Magi, THE GIFT – A HOLIDAY MUSICAL follows Della and James Young through one snowy Christmas Eve filled with big dreams, empty wallets and two hearts stubbornly determined to give more than they can afford. Along for the ride are a wisecracking handyman with a mysterious notebook, his groove-happy Band, a crusty landlady with a heart of gold, and a pair of Main Street shopkeepers who know that hopeless romantics are very good for business. With an R&B, soul, gospel and jazz-influenced musical world, THE GIFT is being developed with youth and school theatre productions especially in mind, with opportunities for flexible ensemble participation. It celebrates foolish generosity, young love and the surprising wisdom of giving away what matters most. It’s O. Henry’s classic love story, retold with music, laughter and a little Christmas mischief.
Lance Elliot Osborne is a playwright, screenwriter and fiction writer who writes about the moment when certainty gives way to curiosity and people begin to see one another more fully. A long-time Austinite, Lance returned to playwriting after a spell focused on novels and short stories. His short play A Reunion was named Best of Week at Austin’s 2026 FronteraFest and is receiving a six-performance production in Taylor, Texas, this fall. His other stage work includes THE DARING, a full-length play inspired by real people whose acts of courage helped others find the freedom to be who they are; SKY MUSIC, a new play about family, love, grief and hope; and THE GIFT – A HOLIDAY MUSICAL, his R&B-, soul- and gospel-inflected reimagining of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. Lance is also the author of the historical novel Bold Crossings. His screenplay Dorando, about the extraordinary finish of the 1908 Olympic marathon, was optioned by an Italian production company. He lives and writes in Austin, where O. Henry once lived and wrote, and perhaps, whispers to playwrights in their dreams.