Lakewood Theatre Company Celebrate the Holidays with THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
By: A.A. Cristi Nov. 30, 2016
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a delightful family story about the true meaning of Christmas, will open at the Lakewood Theatre Company on Thursday, December 15 at 7:30 PM. Performances continue on December 16, 17,18,19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 PM. There will also be matinee performances at 2:00 PM on Saturday Dec. 17 and Sunday Dec. 18. After the opening night performance on December 15th, there will be a hot cocoa and cookie reception.
This year marks the 20th time this holiday production has been staged by Lakewood Theatre Company. The show, directed by Lisa Gilham-Luginbill, is an adaptation of the popular short story written by Barbara Robinson and originally published by McCall's Magazine.
The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for students. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. For reservations call 503-635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.
About the Play: The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked rough and hit little kids and talked back to their teachers. So it surprised just about everybody when they decided to take part in the town's Christmas Pageant.
The Herdman kids had never heard of the Christmas story, but the way they interpreted it, you'd think the story of Jesus came right out of the F.B.I. files. (They called the Wise Men a bunch of dirty spies). It was a Christmas pageant to remember. An American classic ... one of the best Christmas stories ever told.
Playwright Barbara Robinson has written several books for children including Across From Indian Shore andTrace Through the Forest. Her stories have appeared in well-known magazines and a short version of this play appeared in McCall's Magazine under the title, "The Christmas Pageant."
Featured performers include Jessica Zodrow as Grace Bradley, Jeremy Southard as Bob Bradley, Hollis Haleas Beth Bradley and Declan Southard as Charlie Bradley. The Herdman children are played by Micah Oesterreich-Finke, Alexa Shaheen, Carter Christianson, Luke Wyngarden, Abigail Dixon and Millie Wollmuth.
Others in the cast include Sara Shallenberger as Alice, Dayva Cockrell as Maxine, Donna Haub as Mrs. McCarthy, Sara Kennedy Adams as Mrs. Armstrong, Daria DeLillo as Mrs. Slocum, Susan Triplett as Mrs. Clark, Kimberly Graves as Mrs. Clausing, Allen Denison as Reverend Hopkins, and Zach Peak as the fireman.
The ensemble also includes Evan Hamilton as Elmer, Hanna Layton as Hobie, Darren Sze as David, Abbie Jalili as Beverly, Pippa Southard as Shirley, Adelaide Contreras as Juanita, and Ava Neudeck as Doris.
The Angel Choir is composed of Hanna Layton, Ava Arterberry , Ava Neudeck, Adelaide Contreras, Ella Hartzell, Avery Baz, Olivia Smith, Sofia Gomez, and Lola Graves.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is directed by Lisa Gilham-Luginbill. Set and light design is by Kurt Herman, costumes are by Marychris Mass, the accompanist is Susan Triplett, the stage manager is Zach Peakand the producer is Steve Knox.
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