The star is charismatic storyteller Jay O'Callahan, and star
he is indeed.
Portraying a mysterious Gypsy named "Old Rom," his charisma
alone knit the production together as it pranced from Indian folk
dance to Romanian carol, Flamenco dance to English round.
His tales were funny and wise, his explanations of Rom culture
and history tantalizing. His deep, whispery voice seemed always
to be sharing secrets - and his face, full of wonder, told everything
the words could not. His body had the nimble articulation of a
natural clown.
All critical distance melted before his charms, and his voice
so cleanly handled quick-changing characters that he was able
to draw laughs doing double-takes with himself.
When it comes to traditional storytelling, O'Callahan is as
good as they come.
an excerpt from "Gypsy Revels Wanders From Christmas Spirit"
The Boston Globe
December 15, 1997
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