Play review

In the photo from Off Stage Productions’ latest play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Mrs. Bradley (Kim Snyder) paces while on the phone as her family Charlie (Christopher Hattery), Beth (Jordan Ludwig) and Mr. Bradley (Larry Keltner) impatiently await their dinner. Photo by Jodi Hattery for the Van Wert independent

Best Christmas Pageant great fun

BARB THOMPSON/Play Review

When I was invited to attend the Wednesday night dress rehearsal of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, I decided to take advantage of the invite, as the weather was lousy and I hadn’t anything else planned for the otherwise dreary evening. The play is being presented at The Marsh Foundation Auditorium by Off Stage Productions.

Wow! Was I ever surprised! First of all, I love kids – any age – but I would never have guessed that the 37-member cast would include 20-25 youngsters of all sizes and ages. They were incredibly true to life in their parts and I didn’t know, from one minute to the next, what was going to happen on stage.

The main theme, of course, is the birth of the Christ Child and a small community’s annual effort to portray the event in an acceptable way. Adding a level of conflict to the picture for this year’s pageant, however, is the inclusion of six kids – all from one family – who have a solid reputation for troublemaking. They’re the Herdmans!

Earlier in the afternoon, I had watched a “Dr. Phil” program on bullying and the Herdman kids fit every description of those TV rascals and more. Therefore, I had double satisfaction when the stage Herdmans, right in front of my eyes, eventually fit into the hushed scenes of Christ’s coming.

The mother in the cast (Kim Snyder) is forced to direct the pageant at the last minute, so she’s in for many surprises … especially when the Herdman family shows up.

The play’s producer is Toni Shema and Dan Bulau directed, ably assisted by Terri Stevens, Chad Kraner and Jan Miller.

This is a pageant for the whole family and one that will be referred to (with smiles) for weeks. It will be presented tonight and Saturday – both evenings at 8; also Sunday afternoon at 2. Tickets are available at 211 S. Walnut St. between 10 a. m. and 6 p.m. today; there is a $3 cost for children 12 and under and $7 for adults.

There are just three showings and local theatre fans don’t want to miss it. Those who attend might even be inspired to try the play with their own church children or maybe the neighborhood gang. Kids are such a major part of the Christmas holiday and this story pretty much puts that into perspective.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever could also be a gift to share with selected others and it won’t even have to be wrapped.