A delightful holiday comedy based on the best-selling young-adult book.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. In this hilarious Christmas
classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids–probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on!
“One of the best Christmas stories ever – and certainly one of the funniest.” – The Seattle Times
This production is appropriate for the whole family!
Running Time: approximately 90
minutes including intermission
Tickets
*The Grand stops selling tickets online 2 hours before each performance. Tickets can still be purchased from the Box Office until the show begins. Contact (563)588-1305 if you are having difficulty reserving your tickets online.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
We are
currently seating the theater at Full Capacity. We do offer the option for socially distanced seating on a limited basis. Please contact the Box Office for information about this options for this show if you are interested.
2022-2023 Season Sponsors:
Overview
Overview
Context
Plot
Characters
Videos
Monologues
Scenes
Quizzes
Portrayals
Related Products
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Overview
Show Information
Based on the Play/Book/Film
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Settings
Period, Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
1970s, 1980s, contemporary, the bradley home, a church, a hospital
Ideal for
Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Religious Groups, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA)/Children's
Casting Notes
Mostly female cast Includes child, adult, early teen, mature adult, young adult characters
Synopsis
Beth Bradley’s church’s Christmas pageant is predictable every year -- the angel choir wears too much
lipstick, the shepherds are all in their father’s bathrobes, the minister’s son is permanently cast in the role of Joseph -- hardly “four-star entertainment.” But when seasoned and authoritative pageant director Mrs. Armstrong breaks her leg, it is up to Beth’s inexperienced mother Grace to step in. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the rambunctious Herdman children, a rough and tough group of siblings from the wrong side of the tracks, descend upon the pageant, lured by the promise of free
dessert at Sunday school, and determined to win all the lead roles for themselves. The Ladies’ Aid Society members are beside themselves with disapproval, all the shepherds quit because Gladys Herdman “hits too hard”, the show is briefly re-titled “Revenge at Bethlehem”, and the church catches on fire. But Beth and her community watch in surprise as the same old Christmas story is rejuvenated by the creativity, energy, and unexpected sincerity of a misunderstood young family. Mary Robinson’s
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, based on her novel of the same name, is a widely beloved Christmas tale, warm and incredibly funny, full of characters both relatable and utterly unique. The large cast and age range make this show a community favorite, in which a varied, multi-generational group of performers can come together.
Lead Characters
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever guide sections
Where Is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever?
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is a play performed annually for over 20 years by Stage One, the world renowned Theatre for Young Audiences in Louisville, KY.
How Long Is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever musical?
Cast Size. 6f, 4m, 9girl(s), 8boy(s).
Duration. 60 minutes (1 hour).
Subgenre. Adaptations (Literature), Theatre for Young Audiences, Christmas/Holiday..
Target Audience. Appropriate for all audiences..
Is Best Christmas Pageant Ever a musical?
Nov 18 - Dec 22, 2022 | McColl Family Theatre | For all ages
What if they decide to audition for the annual Christmas pageant? This hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy, adapted from Barbara Robinson's classic story, will have your family laughing and crying as we celebrate the holidays.
When Was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Written?
Barbara Robinson has written several popular books for children, including My Brother Louis Measures Worms, The Best School Year Ever, The Best Halloween Ever, and the enormously popular bestselling novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, first published in 1972, which was made into a classic TV movie and on which this ...
