Rex Dougherty and Daven Ralston in Hub Theatre’s production of ‘The Magi.’
Fairfax — Fairfax’s Hub Theatre is presenting the world premiere of “The Magi.” It is a riff from O. Henry’s famous short story about sacrifices people make for those they love. After all, to be and stay in love can mean making compromises.
There are “parts of ourselves that we sacrifice, when we are in love,” said Helen Pafumi who penned the new “The Magi.” The play is unique as it “edges closer to a musical because it relies so heavily on a live band performance.”
Pafumi notes that the play is about two people in a band who are “together in close quarters, day in and day out - a major test for any relationship.” In this case, the two characters named Nix and Jude have been touring with their band The Magi for 8 years. “They have been in love for 7 years and 11 months of that tour. The band and the couple are on the verge of breaking up.” ‘
Another singular feature of “The Magi” is that it is a collaboration between playwright Helen Pafumi and her son Eli Pafumi. Eli created the music that the stage band performs.
“The music completes the concert/play vibe,” noted Eli Pafumi. With folk/acoustic, jazz and blues, the music helps “progress the narrative and deepen the intricacies of the characters’ relationship.”
In “The Magi” the audience will see “the characters in real-time and then time stops so we hear their inner thoughts, secrets, and fears,” said Kelsey Mesa, the director. “We get to explore the nuance of relationships and the magnitude of love.”
As for the set, “it will create the atmosphere that anyone who's been to a bar to see a band knows well,” said Mesa. “It is a world that feels as much like a small dive bar as possible.”
Daven Ralston plays Nix. “The script is funny and playful at the same time that it’s open and honest.” My character “is compassionate and frustrating, independent and indecisive, joyful and brooding, spontaneous and pragmatic all in one.”
According to Rex Dougherty who plays Jude, “I love the structure of production. The play really has a music ‘gig’ atmosphere which makes the night at the theatre special for the audience. You're seeing something you don't typically experience in a normal musical.”
“I’m hopeful audiences watching “The Magi” will celebrate the love in their own lives,” added Helen Pafumi.