The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Opens December 14, 2018 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 Friday, December 14 at 7:30 PM. Performances continue on December 15, 16, and 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 PM. There will also be matinee performances at 2:00 PM on Saturday Dec. 15, Sunday Dec. 16, Saturday Dec. 22 and Sunday Dec. 23. After the opening night performance on Dec. 14, there will be a hot cocoa and cookie reception.

This year marks the 22 nd time this holiday production has been staged by Lakewood Theatre Company. The show, directed by Michael DeMaio 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 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 Michael Teufel as Bob Bradley, Ava Anderson as Grace Bradley, Natalie Caddell as Beth Bradley and Ty Schultz-Reynolds as Charlie Bradley. The Herdman children are played by Ryan Johnson, Kalia Rechenberg, Micah Oesterreich-Finke, Paige Huth, Elijah Castillo, and Gabriella Laird.

Others in the cast include Reeghan Hansen as Alice, Annalise Huntington as Maxine, Ogaenia Calkins as Mrs. McCarthy, Sharon Deegan as Mrs. Clausing, Karlyn Love as Mrs. Slocum, Susan Triplett as Mrs. Clark and the Piano Lady, Michael Teufel as Mr. Armstrong and Reverend Hopkins, and Dylan Levrets as the Fireman.

The ensemble also includes Kendall LeBlanc as Elmer, Dayva Cockrell as Dayva/Beth understudy, Kate Eames as Beverly, Tori Chisholm as Shirley, Glory Castillo as Juanita, and Maggie Morrissey as Doris.

The Angel Choir is composed of Hazel Bateman, Coco Eames, Pachi Morley,

Clara Schultz-Reynolds, and Aubrielle Todd.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is directed by Michael DeMaio. Set and light design is by Kurt Herman, costumes are by Marychris Mass, the accompanist is Susan Triplett, the stage manager is Zach Peak, assistant stage manager is Dylan Levrets, props designer is Berl Dana'y and the producer is Steve Knox.

Pictured: Gabriella Laird as Gladys Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Lakewood Theatre Company, December 14-16 and 18-23, 2018. Photo by Lakewood Theatre Company