This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Everyone loves to look at a train wreck or even the possibility of one. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever sets up what the town thinks will be just that, a train wreck, when the worst kids in town, the Herdmans, show up for the leading roles.
The Longmont Theatre Company once again pulls off another beautiful performance for the holidays with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. This play stars several participants from their Summer Youth Program.
These young actors returned for the holiday play and dominated the show as the adults were really the supporting roles. These young thespians are witty and funny and bring alive the true meaning of Christmas in this play.
Actress Ella McGregor, Beth Bradley, flawlessly narrated and played her part in the play. While brother Charlie Bradley, played by Summit Louth, provides the comedy. Charlotte Rhea, who plays Gladys Herdman, steals the show with her spunky energy and well-delivered lines.
While these three draw your eye, all the children in the play were wonderful. It was delightful to see children acting as children should, making faces, staring at the ceiling, and simply not being where they should be as they pretended to be rehearsing the play within the play. These young actors played their roles well and you could see that they were having a great time playing the roles of wondering children.
This play had very little singing in it but the musical numbers that exist are heartwarming. I personally enjoy classical Christmas carols sung by children, there is something angelic about it.
When the curtains part, you see the beautiful stained glass of the church. The stained glass is actually a beautiful quilt that the Longmont Theatre Company is holding a silent auction on. In the play's program will be tickets that individuals can write a figure on and then drop the ticket off in the lobby. Bidding can also be placed on The Longmont Theatre Company's Facebook page. Bidding begins at $250.
The proceeds of the silent auction will go toward scholarships for The Longmont Theatre Company's Summer Youth Program. According to Tracy Cravens, one of the play's producers, The Longmont Theatre Company wants all residents and families in Longmont to enjoy the theatre and not feel like they can't afford it. This scholarship program will help the theatre company provide several new spots for aspiring actors this summer.
The Best Christmas Pageant runs Nov. 29-Dec 14 with shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. This is a great show for the whole family. The show itself only runs 80 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
Longtucky Spirits once again provides a special drink that they have named Wassail. This drink is available with or without a 'little holiday cheer'.
There is still time to get tickets for the Friday, Nov. 29 showing. Visit Longmontheatre.org to purchase.
