Columbus Children's Theatre Presents THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL

This Columbus Children's Theatre classic returns for the holiday season with a refreshing twist - a new musical adaptation. This hilarious and moving story will be performed at The Lincoln Theatre from December 13 - December 23. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical," directed by Columbus Children's Theatre's Artistic Director, Bill Goldsmith, will lend a nostalgic nod to previous "Pageant" productions while providing energizing music to the same heartwarming story that has been adored for years.

The Herdman children are the most rotten kids in the town and when they are cast as the leads in the church's Christmas pageant, chaos takes over. Mrs. Bradley is thrown into the position of directing the pageant and must find some way to show these horrible kids what Christmas is all about. With classic Christmas chorales and brand-new songs, watch as the Herdman children discover the true meaning of Christmas and save the pageant!

"Music has an energy of its own and can lead audiences to experience the emotions in the story more effectively - the laughter and the tears," Goldsmith says about the production's new musical numbers. This production holds a special place in Goldsmith's heart as many youth actors have made their CCT debut in "Pageant" and he is able to work with a lot of new, young talent.

When asked what was changed from previous versions of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," Goldsmith says, "the moments that tug at the audience's heartstrings are different. For those who have seen the show before, I promise that they will find this musical version equally moving. You'll still laugh, you'll still cry, and you'll still leave the theatre feeling good about life."

Thanks to Deloitte for sponsoring The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical. CCT would like to thank our season sponsors: Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, The National Endowment for the Arts, American Electric Power, The Shubert Foundation and Nationwide.

This production features Michelle Steinhour (Grace Bradley), James C. Minter (Bob Bradley), Corey Hamm (Charlie Bradley), Natalie Tangeman (Beth Bradley), Jack Carson (Ralph Herdman), Cami Weldon (Imogene Herdman), Cam Holland (Leroy Herdman) Devyn Brown (Claudia Herdman), David Hap Cremean (Ollie Herdman), Emma Yu (Gladys Herdman), Anita McFarren (Helen Armstrong), Luther Center (Reverand Hopkins), Joyce Patrone (Luanne), Katy Oberle (Betty), Whitney Washington (Connie), Avery Golowin (Alice Wendleken), Emmett Van Buskirk (Elmer Hopkins), Atticus Layne (Teddy Shoemaker), Norah McGann (Ivy Reed)

Ensemble - Vanessa Reznik (Understudy Gladys), Talitha Boyd, Claire Christie, Leah Livingston, Sadie Turner, Natalie Bell, Ella Jo Kaminski (Understudy Ivy), Abbie Ogilbee (Understudy Beth), Mia Konicki (Understudy Alice), Addison Fransen, Sara Davy (Understudy Imogene), Jillian Christie, Elyse Janikian, Rayli Boyd (Understudy Claudia)

Tickets are $19-$33. Call 614-224-6672 or visit www.columbuschildrenstheatre.org