Overview
Synopsis
Beth Bradley’s church’s Christmas pageant is predictable every year -- the angel choir wears too much lipstick, the shepherds are all in their father’s bathrobes, the minister’s son is permanently cast in the role of Joseph -- hardly “four-star entertainment.” But when seasoned and authoritative pageant director Mrs. Armstrong breaks her leg, it is up to Beth’s inexperienced mother Grace to step in. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the rambunctious Herdman children, a rough and tough group of siblings from the wrong side of the tracks, descend upon the pageant, lured by the promise of free dessert at Sunday school, and determined to win all the lead roles for themselves. The Ladies’ Aid Society members are beside themselves with disapproval, all the shepherds quit because Gladys Herdman “hits too hard”, the show is briefly re-titled “Revenge at Bethlehem”, and the church catches on fire. But Beth and her community watch in surprise as the same old Christmas story is rejuvenated by the creativity, energy, and unexpected sincerity of a misunderstood young family. Mary Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, based on her novel of the same name, is a widely beloved Christmas tale, warm and incredibly funny, full of characters both relatable and utterly unique. The large cast and age range make this show a community favorite, in which a varied, multi-generational group of performers can come together.
Show Information
- Book
- Barbara Robinson
- Based On Book By
- Barbara Robinson
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1982
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1970s, 1980s, contemporary, the bradley home, a church, a hospital
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Religious Groups, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA)/Children's, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Child, Adult, Early Teen, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the beloved Christmas story by Barbara Robinson, began life as a short story published in McCall’s magazine in 1970. Robinson developed it into a novel, published by Harper Trophy in 1972, and the popularity of the horrible Herdmans led to the creation of a theatrical adaptation in 1982, and a television movie in 1983, both written by Robinson.
The stage premiere of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever took place at the Seattle Children’s Theatre on November
to read the context for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
As the curtain rises, Beth Bradley tells the audience about the six disadvantaged, delinquent Herdman siblings -- “the worst kids in the whole history of the world.” Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman enter, and pose in tough, menacing fashion. Beth explains why her brother Charlie likes church -- “No Herdmans.” The Sunday school teacher didn’t like his answer, but it was the most truthful.
The Bradley family is returning home from church, Mr. Bradley
to read the plot for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Silent |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Treble/Boy Soprano |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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