BUCYRUS — Cast and crew members at the Bucyrus Little Theatre are set to perform The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and they plan not just in the sense of it being the title of the show.
Opening-night curtain is scheduled to be raised Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a play is a “hilarious Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson, a couple, struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant, is faced with casting the Herdman kids–probably the most awful kids in history.”
The main storyline is the same as what may be found in the book and movie by the same name.
Director Cindy Light said a show which features children as many of the main characters brings something extra special to the stage.
“I have worked with kids before, so nothing really surprises me,” Light said. “The funny thing is, the kids come in and they’re yelling and running around and being loud, but then they get on stage and were actually really quiet, so I had to get them to be loud up there.
“But, it has been really good and enjoyable to have them.”
Light said she hopes shows like this may be the springboard for the children to continue to be involved in local theater.
“We’ve been around a long time, and we have seen people come and go and then come back again,” Light said. “We always try to do one kids show per year and are always looking for fresh blood to join us.”
Light added everything seems to be coming together to make a great show for the holiday season.
“Even though we’re all so busy, everyone here for this Christmas show is all in,” she said. “They are so excited for Christmas, especially kids.”
She said the show fits into audience members hustle-and-bustle lifestyle during the holiday season as it is just one-and-a-half hours long.
Show dates are Dec. 7-8 and 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 and 16 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased at the box office or on the Bucyrus Little Theatre website.
The cast includes:
Father: Justin Beck
Mother: Alexa Franklin
Beth: Joy McLaughlin
Charlie: Trey Griggs
Ralph Herdman: Maya Collene
Imogene Herdman: Quintessa Spellbound
Leroy Herdman: Jayda Robison
Ollie Herdman: Harlin McLaughlin
Cletus/Gladys Herdman: Anthony Hardwick/Amelia Collene
Alice: Marlie Hosey/Ella Hoover
Mrs. Armstrong: Janet Wittenmeyer
Mrs. Slocum: Jessica Furner
Mrs. Clark: Jackie Robison
Mrs. Clausing: Rebecca Wilden
Mrs. McCarthy: Linda Hess
Maxine: Hannah McMurray/Miriam McMurray
Elouise: Sydney Wirebaugh/Faith Amesquita
Hobie: Landon Parsons/Torin Schock
Diane: Miriam McLaughlin
Beverly: Emily Schuster
Doris: Chloe Weidinger
Fireman: Tyson Griggs
Reverend Hopkins: Clifford Heidebrecht
Shepherd: Izan Cress