The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson and directed by Stan Kelly. Playing through December 20th at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample free parking behind theatre. For tickets call (626) 355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
Every year, the local neighborhood church has a Christmas pageant, a potluck, and bazaar. When Mrs. Armstrong, the woman who usually runs these things breaks her leg and is incapacitated, Grace Bradley takes over running the pageant. Grace is a capable person, and should be able to handle it. But she faces a special challenge:
The Herdman kids, six of the nastiest, vilest, ill-behaved kids in the history of Creation. They lie, cheat, steal, cuss, set fires, blaspheme and smoke cigars (even the girls). They audition for the pageant for the first time, through the connivance of Grace’s own son Charlie. And, through a variety of circumstances, Grace won’t be able to turn the Herdman kids away.
What will happen to the traditional pageant? Will it become the biggest train wreck in the recorded history of live performance, or will Grace be able to make it into The Best Christmas Pageant Ever?
This hilarious and heartwarming comedy, filled with singing and music, makes a firm statement about the transformative power of the holiday season (not to mention the transformative power of theatre).
Stan Kelly directs the large cast, including Betsy McIntyre, Paul Bond, Matthew Bond, Andrea Sweeney, Marjory Zuk, Lauren Mackenzie, Zayd Jaber, Kari Irwin, Dillon McIntire, Jade Budman, John Moreaux, Talia Saldana, Stan Kelly, Lydia Ryan, Mary Carol Kelly, Rosemary Gore, Jenelle Jones, Roberto Merkell, Sophia Davis, Grace Turner, Jessica Tupas, Dajema Ortiz, Maximillian Kent, Chloe Mason, Jenasha Jamison, Elysee Vielma, Ranya Jaber, Arianna Merkell, Jayden Saldana and Renzo Dela Pena.
For images from the show, click below:
1. Jade Budman (l.) , Roberto Merkell, Zayd Jaber, John Moreaux, Kari Irwin, Talia Saldana.
2. Kari Irwin
3. Mary Carol Kelly, Lidia Ryan, Rosemary Gore (l. to r.).
4. Andrea Sweeney (l.), Marjory Zuk
5. Matthew Bond, Dillon McIntire (r.)
Photos by John Johnson
