THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Opens at Lakewood Theatre Company

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 14 at 7:30 PM. Performances continue on December 15, 16, 17 and 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 PM. There will also be matinee performances at 2:00 PM on Saturday Dec. 16, Sunday Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 23. After the opening night performance on December 14th, there will be a hot cocoa and cookie reception. The show sponsor is Nicoletta's Table & Marketplace.

This year marks the 21 st time this holiday production has been staged by Lakewood Theatre Company. The show, directed by Benjamin Tissell 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 additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (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 and Trace 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 Dan Bahr as Bob Bradley, Laura Hiszczynskyj as Grace Bradley, Samantha Blaine as Beth Bradley and Phillip Wells as Charlie Bradley. The Herdman children are played by Declan Southard, Melody Wells, Henry Findtner, Finn Schwarz, Tali Greenfield and Pippa Southard.

Others in the cast include Sami Yacob-Andrus as Alice, Serena Mason as Maxine, Kristi Foster as Mrs. McCarthy, Adrienne Southard as Mrs. Armstrong, Patricia Alston as Mrs. Slocum, Libby Isensee as Mrs. Clark, Susan Triplett as the Piano Lady, and Brian Reed as Reverend Hopkins.

The ensemble also includes Joseph Burke as Elmer, Theo Curl as Hobie, Dayva Cockrell as David, Eva Muir as Beverly, Rachel Green as Shirley, Sophie Isensee as Juanita, and Maya Ye as Doris.

The Angel Choir is composed of Luna Flores, Spencer Isensee, Tia Lempert, Violet Lempert, Ava McDowell, Riley McDowell, Gracie Morinishi, Eva Muir, and Maya Ye.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is directed by Benjamin Tissell. The assistant director is Jorie Jones, set and light design is by Kurt Herman, costumes are by Marychris Mass, the accompanist is Susan Triplett, the stage manager and props designer is Emily Harmon-Watilo and the producer is Steve Knox.

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