By Donna Horn

Do you need a little help getting into the Christmas spirit this year? Do yourself and your family a big favor. Go to the Marsh Foundation and attend a showing of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a play written by Barbara Robinson. It is sometimes serious and at other times hilarious. But it is never dull.

It is time for the annual Christmas pageant, and Mrs. Armstrong, who directs everything to do with Christmas at the church, has suffered a broken leg and is in traction until the first of the year. There is a mad scramble to replace her. Grace Bradley gets stuck with the job and she makes her family get involved.

Her son says that one good thing about church is that there are no Herdmans there. It seems that there are six Herdman children, and they are very bad news. They bully, steal from the other children, smoke, curse and constantly cause trouble.

Of course they had never been to church, not a day in their lives. But that was about to change. Leroy Herdman stole Charlie Bradley's lunch and ate the dessert. He laughed about it, but Charlie said it didn't matter. He got all the desserts he wanted at church and bragged about the wonderful desserts they got free at church.

When Grace set up auditions for the Christmas pageant all six Herdman children showed up and announced that they were taking over the characters in the pageant. Imogene Herdman would be Mary, and Ralph would be Joseph. Gladys Herdman was unforgettable as an angel and the other brothers were wise men. The other children were too frightened to protest, and no one dared to try out for parts against them.

Church members were aghast, and there was even talk of canceling the pageant altogether. But Grace dug her heels in and said this would be the best pageant ever.

The Herdman children had never heard the Christmas story, and they were very interested. They certainly had some ideas about how they would have handled the whole situation. And there was trouble brewing. Imogene Herdman smoked cigars in the ladies restroom, and one of the church ladies thought the church was on fire and called the fire department. Things were wild, but very funny.

But then a Christmas miracle took place, and the real Christmas spirit showed up where no one expected it, in the hearts of the Herdmans. Everyone agreed it was the best Christmas pageant ever.

The play will warm your heart and perhaps bring tears to your eyes. I know it did to mine. Dan Bulau did a fine job of directing the pageant, and the large cast did him proud.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is presented by Off Stage Productions and will be performed on Friday and  Saturday, December 2 and 3, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium, 1229 Lincoln Highway. Tickets are very affordable at $7 for adults and $3 for children, age 12 and under and are available at the door.

For the second time in two years, Off Stage Productions is producing “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson.  There is a cast of 43 people and countless others are helping with set, costumes, lights and sound.   All these people wanted to get involved because it is such a wonderful Christmas story.

When Grace Bradley is forced to direct the annual church Christmas Pageant, little does she expect that her son will get all six Herdman children involved.  The Herdman children are the worst children in the history of the world and normally just went around terrorizing the town, but now, somehow, they also managed to hijack the whole Christmas Pageant.  The unexpected ending is heartwarming.

The cast includes:

Character                             Cast Member

Bob Bradley                         Jake Mohr

Grace Bradley                     Jodi Hattery

Beth Bradley                        Hatti Bouillon

Charlie Bradley                   Sterling Rigdon

Ralph Herdman                  Dylan Neate

Imogene Herdman            Hannah Bouillon

Leroy Herdman                  Dante Youtsey

Claude Herdman                Chris Hattery

Ollie Herdman                     Joshua Hattery

Gladys Herdman                Meghan Jensen

Alice Wendleken                Emily Gehle

Mrs. Armstrong                 Lisa Eichler

Mrs. Slocum                        Melissa Gehle

Mrs. Clark                             Jan Miller

Mrs. Clausing                      Kathy Dowler

Mrs. McCarthy                   Mary Yackey

Maxine                                  Riley Jones

Elmer Hopkins                   Josh England

Hobie                                     Avery Slusher

David                                     Noah Swallow

Beverly                                 Rebecca Rigdon

Shirley                                  Nataley Hattery

Juanita                                 Kaelan Swallow

Doris                                     Morgan Dowler

Reverend Hopkins          Rev Gus Christo-Baker

Reverend Hopkins          Rev Hal Shefer

Reverend Hopkins          Rev Stuart Wyatt

Nurse                                    Anessah Youtsey

Nurse                                    Kaylee Gehle

Shepherd                             Christian Wallenhorst

Shepherd                             Kardane Thomas

Shepherd                             Derick Doner

Angel                                     Kimberly Adams

Angel                                     Lakin Brant

Angel                                     Alexys Luich

Angel                                     Courtney Adams

Angel                                     Lydia Carter

Angel                                     Gabrielle Perkins

Angel                                     Olivia Eversole

Angel                                     Ryanne Eversole

Tickets are priced at $3.00 for children 12 and under.  Adult tickets are $7.00.  All tickets are on sale at 211 South Walnut Street between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.  Performances are Friday and Saturday, December 2^nd and 3^rd at 7:30 pm and Sunday December 4^th at 2:00 pm at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium, 1229 Lincoln Highway.  Tickets will also be sold at the door, but depending on demand, may not be available.

Off Stage Productions is holding open auditions for the family comedy, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," by Barbara Robinson. Don't miss this chance to be part of one of the most loved Christmas plays of the last twenty years.

When Grace Bradley is forced to direct the annual church Christmas Pageant, little does she expect that her son will involve all six Herdman kids. The Herdman children are the worst children in the history of the world and normally just went around terrorizing the town, and now, somehow, they also managed to hijack the whole Christmas Pageant. The unexpected ending of this wonderful Christmas story is heartwarming.

Speaking parts include parts for 4 men, 6 women, (ages 20 to 70) and 8 boys and 9 girls (ages 5-17).

Approximately 10 to 15 additional children are needed for non-speaking parts.

No acting experience needed. Backstage helpers of all ages are also needed.

Auditions will be held at 7:00 pm October 2 & 3 at the Marsh Foundation Theatre.

Rehearsals will begin October 13 and will last no longer than 9 pm. The amount of rehearsal days will vary according to each role. Between November 27 and December 1, rehearsals will be every evening and may be later than 9 pm.

Show Dates are December 2, 3, & 4.

Audition packets may be picked up at 211 S Walnut Street in Van Wert or by clicking here. For more information call 419-605-6708

Every time you hear someone say "Help Support...." these days, you automatically think, "how much is this going to cost me" right?  Well here is an opportunity to "help support" Off Stage Productions and it won't cost you a dime.