Mayhem at the Manger: FPCT's Adorable "Christmas Pageant"

◊◊◊◊  out of five.  60 minutes, no intermission.  Family-friendly.

What do you get when you mix Noises Off and The Greatest Story Ever Told?  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which opened last weekend at the Fells Point Corner Theatre, that's what!  This rapid fire look at life behind the scenes of a church Christmas play is funny for folks of all ages.  All of the running around and fun costumes should appeal to the kids, and the rather pointed send-up of adults in charge will bring knowing smiles to the parents. 

This Pageant tells the story of small town Americana sent into a tail spin when the woman regularly in charge of the pageant is felled by a broken limb.  While everyone groans behind her back that it is boring and never changes, they still think it'll be a bust without her.  Enter Mrs. Bradley to save the day – but it won't be easy.  The regular director nags her by phone, her own family doesn't want to help, and the entire town is being terrorized by a gang of misfit kids known as the Herdmans.  After it is let slip that being in the show means you get free refreshments, the Herdmans bully their way into things, even though they have no idea what the story of the Nativity is about.  How a prized ham, a fireman and the word "Shazam!" figures into the outcome will be yours to figure out when you, which you should.  At a mere 60 non-stop minutes, this show is the perfect length to provide a rest for weary shoppers, entertainment for the kids, and a sweet message about Christmas and not judging people before you know them. 

The hero of the day must be director Mike Ware, who has assembled a cast of 19, most of whom are children, ranging from elementary to high school age.  One can only imagine that some of the mayhem on stage is the result of a frenzied rehearsal or two.  But Mr. Ware has pulled it off well.  The action never stops, the kids are cute in the nicest way, and everyone leaves with a smile.  No small task these days, I tell you!  Perhaps the only down side to it all is that a few times, the kids say their lines a bit too fast, and the entire cast might benefit from giving the audience more chances to react and laugh.  I found myself holding it in several times for fear I'd miss a choice bit.  Still, that is a small pickiness on my part. 

All of the children make a positive contribution and impression.  The various towns children/pageant participants include Chantel Dean, Ronald Hayes, and Akira C. Roberts.  The pageant narrator is played smartly by Briana N. Quamina.  There are also several adult townspeople – Peggy Friedman, Connie Lynn and Julian Ball – who serve as gossips, complainers and chaperones.  Helenmary Ball is a hoot as the nag in the wheelchair, doling out her rules and words of wisdom like she is Spielberg on the set or something.  But Charley Ward (as Reverend Hopkins) practically steals the show with his deadpan delivery and mock hysteria at the lack of quality in the forthcoming pageant. 

The Herdman kids play a motley crew of misfits and delinquents with glee and with a nice honesty.  They are brats, to be sure, but you can't help but like them.  The youngest Herdmans are played by Christian Flippen, Rebecca Goode, Anna Higdon and Julie Truax, and are little devils, all.  The two eldest Herdmans, who eventually end up playing Mary and Joseph, and warmly played by Cleo Rahman and Kenny Wallace.  Both young actors have that "it" factor that makes you want to watch them, and they both have a knack for portraying street-savvy and good kids rolled into one.  Both have quite a future! 

The central family, the Bradleys are a sit-com-ish kind of group.  The father is a wise-cracking jokester, the mother a happy little mess of melodrama and the kids are worldly-wise smarties.  But, to the credit of the actors involved, they also convey that they care about each other, making them pretty real in the family department.  Sarah Rogers plays Beth, the narrator and moral compass of the piece, assessing each event and participant for us.  Her exasperation is hilarious.  Brandon Thompson, as Charlie, her flip brother is the family sarcasm machine and Thompson delivers many a dry barb like a pro.  The look on his face when he comes out forced to be a shepherd is priceless!  Saul Clark-Braverman is also quite funny as the father who reluctantly helps his wife and ends up loving it.  Among his choicer bits is how he clutches the TV remote like Linus clutches his blanket.  Virginia Frank, though, really holds the family and the show together.  Mr. Ware has quite a treasure in this funny actress.  She plays the harried moments with such conviction, you'd swear this was the first time any of it happened to her, and when she tries to keep the peace while holding her tongue you can't help but laugh and feel sorry for her all at once.  She has a way with the kids (and the adults) that makes you pull for her from the beginning. 

With so many great holiday things playing in town these last days before 2008, it is nice to have such quality!  You can't go wrong with any of them – Holiday Hot Nostalgia at Toby's Baltimore, La Muenca at Single Carrot Theatre or here at The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Fells Point Corner Theatre!  Happy Holidays to one and all!

PHOTOS by Amy Jones.  TOP to BOTTOM: Briana N. Quamina and Rebecca Goode; The Angel Choir – (Clockwise from top left) Chantel Dean, Charley Ward, Rebecca Goode and Akira C. Roberts; The Adults; The Herdmans; The Bradleys – (Clockwise from top left) Saul Clark-Braverman, Virginia Frank, Brandon Thompson, and Sarah Rogers.