“The Herdmans were the worst kids in the whole history of the world.” Thus begins one of the longest-standing holiday traditions in Fayetteville: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Since 1991, Cape Fear Regional Theatre has produced this adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s book by the same name. The play brings to life the story of one church’s annual tradition gone awry when the neighborhood tough kids show up for the free cookies and stay for the pageant.
The show starts with an introduction to the Herdmans, the five siblings who wreak havoc on the fictional town:
“They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids.” After Mrs. Armstrong, the long-standing director of the church’s annual Christmas pageant, is put out of commission with a broken leg, Grace Bradley gets drafted to take over. On the day planning for the pageant begins, the Herdmans show up, curious about this event that is the subject of so much fascination. Chaos ensues as Christmas Eve draws near, and everyone waits to see what the Herdman kids will do next and if they will ruin the pageant.
This year’s cast is made up of about 160 kids, between the ages of 5 and 18. That number is divided into four groups of around 40 kids, each group identified by a different holiday-related flavor: Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, and Nutmeg. Joining the kids onstage are three grown-ups: Amber Dawn French as Mrs. Bradley, Matthew Jackson as Mr. Bradley, and Joyce Borum as Mrs. Armstrong.
As is the case each year, some of the young actors in BCPE, as the little show with the long title is often abbreviated, are seasoned veterans of the show. For example, Zoe Washington (14) plays Beth (the show’s narrator) in the Ginger cast, is in the show for the third time, though this is her first time in the role of Beth. Others, of course, are taking the stage for the first time, like Charlotte Bittner (9), also in the Ginger cast.
After years of watching her older brother onstage in the show, she decided it was high time that she joined the fun; Charlotte is part of an adorable herd of sheep in the pageant. Both young ladies expressed that, while rehearsals can be hectic, the whole experience is a lot of fun, and they enjoy being part of the antics onstage.
While the story, characters and dialogue are the same year after year, the show has undergone many evolutions over the years. This year marks the second year that the show will be onstage at 1707 Owen Drive, Cape Fear Regional’s home away from home, as their location on Hay Street is undergoing an extensive renovation.
The hotel ballroom-turned-theatre is a different configuration than the Hay Street theatre, with seating on three sides of the stage (an arrangement called a thrust). The arrangement of the audience creates a more intimate, up close and personal feel in which the audience feels as if they are part of the action.
The whole space at the Owen Drive theatre has been turned into a winter wonderland for this time of year.
Marketing Director Ashley Owen says, “It feels like you’re stepping into a snow globe.”
So, how does the same show keep selling out for 32 years running? In a word: tradition! The Fayetteville community loves a tradition, especially one at Christmas time. As Owen points out, BCPE is one of the tentpole holiday traditions in the Fayetteville area. For many people, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the Holly Day Fair, or the Singing Christmas Tree, or The Nutcracker; and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a crucial part of the holiday season for many families.
Additionally, with such a long run of continuous productions, BCPE has become a multi-generational event. Parents have the unique experience of seeing their kids do the same show they did when they were younger, or they remember going to see it on a field trip in elementary school.
Whether you’ve never experienced The Best Christmas Pageant Ever or you’ve never missed a year, this year’s production is not to be missed. Don’t wait to buy tickets, though; at the time of printing, the opening weekend is nearly sold out, and the second weekend is sure to be, too. Tickets can be purchased at cfrt.org or by calling the box office at 910-323-4233.