I read the book that this musical is based on in school as a kid, and I remember becoming absolutely obsessed with it. There’s something magical about the way the “naughty” kids become the center of the story and are the ones who end up teaching us the true meaning of Christmas. Seeing the story come to life at First Stage reminded me again of that magical feeling and created such a wonderful nostalgia for childhood that felt just right during the Christmas season.
In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Herdmans are the “bad kids.” Unlike the rest of the town, the six kids have a single mom who works a lot and they’re often left to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, that sometimes means stealing other kids’ lunches and in turn being considered bullies. When it’s time for the town Christmas pageant, the Herdmans decide to try out, and things get a little out of hand.
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From the set to the costumes, this production was playful, fun and full of holiday spirit. I loved the stained glass of the church windows in the set, the colorful outfits of the Bradley Family (all color coordinated too!), and the black and white costumes of the Herdmans. It all brought the story to life in a way that was both aesthetically pleasing and joyful.
And the show itself was joyful, too! The characters were larger-than-life, making even the adults in the audience feel like they, too, were kids watching it. They were funny, loud and over-the-top in all the right ways. My favorite was choir director Helen Armstrong (Lachrisa Grandberry), yelling notes about the show from her hospital bed after breaking her leg and singing so powerfully, but also bringing comic relief throughout the show. And the kids – I saw the “Shazam Cast” perform – did an outstanding job. They were all high-energy and each brought unique personalities to their characters. Gladys Herdman (Eviana Gibbons) particularly made me laugh throughout the show with her adorable yet aggressive energy – the perfect combination for the youngest Herdman.
Charlie Bradley’s (Bennett Schoonover) anxious energy, and fantastic cowboy-like outfit, might I add, was also a highlight of the show for me. The poor kid was trying to make things better and messed everything up – and the young actor portrayed it so well. It was a hoot!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a reminder of what’s truly important during the holidays. When the Herdmans join the pageant, we see that maybe all they really needed was some attention, love and care. It left me thinking about – and maybe this is cheesy, but hey, it’s the holidays – how we never know what people are going through, and even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is at the Todd Wehr Theater through Dec. 24. Tickets are available on First Stage’s website.
