Review: PAGEANTS Cover Spectrum

One of the best things about theatre in Birmingham is the wide variety from which we have to choose. This weekend and next are a perfect example.

On Friday I headed south to South City Theatre in Pelham to see THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER! and on Saturday I went north to Theatre Downtown to see THE MISS GOOSEPATCH CHRISTMAS PAGEANT.

The things they have in common are that they are both funny shows that are done with very minimal sets and a relaxed feel about them. And they both have CHRISTMAS and PAGEANT in the title. Other than that they are pretty much complete opposites.

South City's production of THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER! includes at my count 16 children, give or take a few. They were running around so much it was hard to count them all. They are precious kids and some of them are pretty talented. The show is really short with a run time under 45 minutes, but it is packed full of laughs.

Overall it is a sweet story with a meaningful message that will make you go "Aww" and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Theatre Downtown's production of THE MISS GOOSEPATCH CHRISTMAS PAGEANT is also funny, but totally irreverent, politically incorrect and socially unacceptable. (Except for the fact that the next day in church I was actually thinking about the MISS GOOSEPATCH PAGEANT and some of its contestants. Sometimes we learn lessons from sinners instead of saints.)

The audience gets involved in this pageant by asking questions and voting on a winner. The actors in this show really use their improvising skills during this portion and it was fun to watch. Overall the show is a hoot. It is also a fundraiser for Theatre Downtown.

If you are looking for a wholesome, family play that you can take the kiddies to and won't bite into your already overbooked holiday time, go to South City to see THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!

If you want a terribly inappropriate, raucous good time, then leave the kids at home and head to Theatre Downtown to see THE MISS GOOSEPATCH CHRISTMAS PAGEANT for some laughs.

And if you just love Christmas plays, are open minded and want to have a couple of fun nights out like I did, see them both! Because "you like what you like."

Aren't choices wonderful? Isn't the Birmingham theatre scene great!

For ticket information about South City and THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER! go to www.southcitytheatre.com or call 205-621-2128.

For Theatre Downtown and THE MISS GOOSEPATCH CHRISTMAS PAGEANT go to www.theatredowntown.org or call 205-565-8838.

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