With humor and hope, Rexburg Cultural Arts’ upcoming production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” invites the community to find the Christmas spirit, even from the most unlikely characters.
Based on a book by Barbara Robinson, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” tells the story of a community Christmas pageant with a new director when a rowdy family called the Herdmans cause disruptions to the pageant and teach everyone the true meaning of Christmas.
Director Amy Evans hopes the audience will connect to the story.
“Pretty much any age that comes, they're going to find somebody in that play that they can totally connect to,” Evans said. “They were either the child that was causing the problems or they were the adult that was trying to wrangle children. So it's just really fun. It's very lighthearted. It's very family friendly, but it's just a fun show.”
The play has 31 cast members ages 5 to 71. Many of the children have major roles, including Clayton Lambert who plays Charlie Bradley in his first major role.
“Lines, those were the hard part for me,” Lambert said. That's kind of how I connected with my character. I learned my lines and I learned new things and now that I know that, the next play I'll go in, I know everything basically.”
Charlotte Head, another child actor, playing Imogene Herdman, is ready to give her funny lines.
“I'm really excited for the dress rehearsal scene,” Head said. “I'm just excited to act with mother because she's trying to find a baby and I'm like, I'll just get one from the supermarket!”
Cami Starks who plays mother, or Grace Bradley, hopes the audience will feel the Christmas spirit during the production.
“It's heartwarming, it's something you feel excited for, it's something you feel that joy and the Christmas spirit with as well,” Starks said. “You'll find yourself laughing and who knows, maybe you'll even find yourself feeling a little emotional at some points.”
The show is Friday, Saturday and Monday at the Romance Theater in Rexburg. The showtime is at 7 p.m. With an additional Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. You can buy tickets at rexburg.org.