For Immediate Release:
Contact: David Kuehn, Executive Director
Cotuit Center for the Arts
Phone: (508) 428-0669
Email: [email protected]
Website: ArtsOnTheCape.org
“Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Opens November 17 at Cotuit Center for the Arts
Cotuit Center for the Arts presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” by Barbara Robinson,
November 17 through December 20. Opening performances are Tuesday and Wednesday, November
17 and 18, at 7:30 PM. The show continues on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 5 PM,
and Sunday at 2 PM. There is no performance on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26. Jay Stewart
is directing.
Everyone agreed that the six Herdman kids were the worst kids in the world. “Our show is set in the
early 1960s, so the fact that there is a family of unkept bullies running amok is played for humor. The
Herdmans are dirty, rough-and-tumble kids who lie, steal, beat up on other kids, and talk dirty.
They’re hilarious,” said Christine Ernst, producer of the show.
Sunday school was a safe haven for the other children because the Herdman kids did not attend—
until they heard that chocolate cake was served there. They learn about the Christmas pageant and
decide they want to take part. “No one wants to do a show with the grubby Herdmans, so no one
volunteers for roles, and the Herdmans get all the leads, much to the chagrin of the rest of the kids
and their parents,” said Ernst.
“The church pageant has become this institution where certain kids always get the lead roles, and, of
course, none of this happens when the Herdmans take over,” said Ernst. “Everyone is convinced it is
going to be disastrous. But of course it turns out to be, wait for it. . .the best Christmas pageant
ever!”
The Herdman kids bring a fresh interpretation to the Christmas story, a story they have never heard
before. “They get the true meaning of Christmas almost by accident, and it’s beautiful” said Ernst.
“The show is filled with tiny moments that are by turns heartwarming and so funny—kids will be
thoroughly entertained and the grown-ups will be touched. We’ve even added a musical combo,
Vixen and her Sleighbells, who will perform the best classic pop hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s during scene
changes—it’s a perfect family holiday classic.”
Lily Anderson, who played Annie in last year’s CCftA’s production of “Annie,” plays Imogene, and
Christine Norton, who shared the role of Annie with her, is Beth Bradley, who narrates the play. Beth
the daughter of the show’s last-minute director, Grace, who is played by Ashley Dalrymple.
The cast includes 25 children ranging in age from 5 to 15, and a dozen adults. Many of the children
were featured in “Annie,” which was also directed by Stewart and music-directed by Norma Atwood,
with choreography by Melissa Hallett.
Stewart, a long-time professional clown and performer who runs the Big Apple Circus Clown Care
program at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, has added physical comedy and clowning elements to the
show, as he did for “Annie.”
Vixen is Rebecca Riley, who played Grace in “Annie” last year. “She’ll be dressed in a gorgeous red
satin cocktail dress and her band will wear lumberjack outfits, as if they were selling trees on our
real, live Christmas tree lot,” said Ernst.
In addition, an angel choir of four girls will sing a cappella in harmony before the play.
The set also features the Herdman’s treehouse and an authentic-looking church basement. Playgoers
will be welcomed by a festive toy store window as they enter the theater.
“It’s a wonderful show,” said Ernst. “It’s a play about staging the nativity story, but it is really a
message about loving one another. It’s a parable about judging people, about making assumptions.
It’s very funny, but it is also quite moving, about redemption and understanding peace on earth, and
we can all use a little of that right now.”
Tickets are $25, $22 for seniors, $20 for members, and $15 for students. Premium tables with wine
are available. Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit. For more information, visit
artsonthecape.org, or call 508-428-0669.
# # #
What:
“Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” directed by Jay Stewart, with music direction by Norma Atwood
Where:
Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit
When:
November 17 through December 20. Opening performances are Tuesday and Wednesday,
November 17 and 18, at 7:30 PM. The show continues Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at
5 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM. There is no performance on Thursday, November 26.
Admission:
$25, $22 for seniors, $20 for members, $15 for students
END