THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Opens Tonight at Lakewood Theatre Company

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, a delightful family story about the true meaning of Christmas, will open at the Lakewood Theatre Company tonight, December 17 at 7:30 PM. Performances continue on December 18,19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 PM. There will also be matinee performances at 2:00 PM on Saturday Dec. 19 and Sunday Dec. 20. After the opening night performance on December 17th, there will be a hot cocoa and cookie reception.

This year marks the 20th time this holiday production has been staged by Lakewood Theatre Company. The show, directed by Benjamin Tissell, is an adaptation of the popular short story written by Barbara Robinson and originally published by McCall's Magazine.

The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for students. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. For reservations call 503-635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.

The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked rough and hit little kids and talked back to their teachers. So it surprised just about everybody when they decided to take part in the town's Christmas Pageant.

The Herdman kids had never heard of the Christmas story, but the way they interpreted it, you'd think the story of Jesus came right out of the F.B.I. files. (They called the Wise Men a bunch of dirty spies). It was a Christmas pageant to remember. An American classic ... one of the best Christmas stories ever told.

Playwright Barbara Robinson has written several books for children including Across From Indian Shore and Trace Through the Forest. Her stories have appeared in well-known magazines and a short version of this play appeared in McCall's Magazine under the title, "The Christmas Pageant."

Featured performers include Laura Hiszczynskyj as Grace Bradley, Jeremy Southard as Bob Bradley, Madeline Hagood as Beth Bradley and Holden Goyette as Charlie Bradley. The Herdman children are played by Kaelyn Cahill, Carter Christianson , Alia Cohn, Maggie MacKenzie, Brody Sitton, and Declan Southard.

Others in the cast include Chiara Rothenberg as Alice, Dayva Cockrell as Maxine, Adrienne Southard as Mrs. McCarthy, Virginia Kincaid as Mrs. Armstrong, Lalanya Gunn as Mrs. Slocum, Susan Triplett as Mrs. Clausing, Laura Handke as Mrs. Clark, Allen Denison as Reverend Hopkins, and Zach Peak as the fireman.

The Angel Choir is composed of Abigail Dixon, Grace Gay, Lauren Hagood, Layla Rosenthal, and Philippa Southard.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER is directed by Benjamin Tissell. Set and light design is by Kurt Herman, costumes are by Marychris Mass, the accompanist is Susan Triplett, properties are by Felix Kelsey, the stage manager is Zach Peak and the producers are Kay Vega and Steve Knox.

63 Years of Live Theatre: Founded as a not-for-profit organization in 1952, Lakewood Theatre Company is a professional theatre dedicated to the study and presentation of drama in all its forms; the training and development of actors; and the creation, maintenance and operation of a theatre in which to present plays and other forms of entertainment. Lakewood Theatre Company is the oldest continually operated, not-for-profit theatre company in the Portland Metropolitan area. It annually provides more than 400 theatre artists the opportunity to learn and display their craft and attracts more than 40,000 people to its shows.

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