Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Heather Canfield, center, along with the rest of the BAC Stage Kids rehearse their parts in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" on Monday night at the Brewery Arts Center. Left to right, back row, Emily Meeks, Melissa Marsh, Ashlee Negrete, Roy Rodriguez, Abigail Pittman, David Feltner and William Feltner.
It's called "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a modest title to be sure.
The cast is about as engaging as any you'll see this year. True, this isn't exactly Shakespearean tragedy, but there are plenty of amusing moments that leap to life. This is an enthusiastic cast that knows its Christmas.
The plot is pretty simple. The woman who normally directs the town Christmas pageant breaks a leg and can't do the job. A substitute is selected, but the regular cast members turn up their noses and opt out. That leaves room for new talent - a rowdy group of rarely bathed children, to be more exact - to take part. Which they are happy to do.
It all turns out just fine, and if the elation at the dress rehearsal is any clue, there will be plenty of excitement as the Christmas story of the manger, the wise men and the Christ child unreels.
The "Pageant" was written by Barbara Robinson and has been around for a while. Directors Caitlin Papp and Lynette Brown have added the touches that make it an original, local production.
Producers Christopher James and Pat Josten have made sure the props, lights and so forth are in place. Cheri Brown has sewn the vaguely Biblical costumes. Maizie Harris Jesse and Jamie Dunbar designed the set, CHS drama teacher Karen Chandler and her technical theater class wielded the paintbrushes.
Dependable Gary Guberman designed the lighting with operators Danita Bayer and Dave Josten throwing switches. Jayme Foremaster handles the sound and Pat Josten manages the house. The Canfield family handles snacks and soft drinks.
It's free, but donations are accepted at the door with all proceeds to benefit the BAC Stage Kids program.
Performances are noon and 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Donald W. Reynolds Theater at the Brewery.
Call 883-1976 for information.
n Contact Sam Bauman at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.
If you go
WHAT: "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
WHEN: noon and 7 p.m. today; 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Donald W. Reynolds Theater, Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St.
CALL: 883-1976
Cast list:
Father (Bob Bradley), Warren Schader
Mother (Grace Bradley), Stephanie Dixon
Mrs. Armstrong, Wendy Russell
Mrs. Slocum, Caitlyn Beaudette
Mrs. Clark, Linda Flaherty
Mrs. Causing, Anna Marie Dixon
Mrs. McCarthy, Regina Ford
Nurse, Lissa Baker
Fireman, Weston Overland
Reverent Hopkins, Dave Anderson
Beth Bradley, Ashlee Negrete
Charlie Bradley, Jacob Linstrom
Ralph Herdman, Roy Rodriguez
Imogene Herdman, Nova Sulprizio
Leroy Herdman, Parker Stanfield
Claude Herdman, Palmer Stanfield
Ollie Herdman, Shannon Flaherty
Gladys Herdman, Heather Canfield
Alice Wendleken, Melissa Marsh
Maxine, Emily Meeks
Elmer Hopkins, David Feltner
Beverly, Abigail Pittman
Hobie, William Feltner
Children: MiKayla Cloney, Charlie Meeks, Emily Dixon, Tessa Dixon