It’s time, once again, for the Cape Fear Regional Theatre's beloved production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The annual show, now in its 31st year, will open on Saturday, Dec. 3, and run every Tuesday through Sunday until Dec. 18.

The classic Christmas story based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Barbara Robinson tells the story of a couple desperate to put together the church Christmas pageant despite the involvement of the notorious Herdman kids. Through mischief, mayhem, and absolute chaos, the Herdmans teach the whole town about the season’s true meaning — with plenty of laughs along the way.
Adapted as a play by Robinson in 1982, the show has been a popular production for schools and community theatres ever since. This year’s production will be directed by the CFRT’s Education Associate, Jennifer Sell.

Up & Coming Weekly spoke with CFRT’s Education Director, Marc de la Concha, about what makes this show so special for audiences.

“It’s a big tradition here in Fayetteville; people love the story,” he shared. “The kids love to do it every year. They love playing the parts. It’s classic. Many kids come to see this play as a field trip for school and then want to be a part of it later on.”

Having only skipped one year due to COVID-19 restrictions, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is a holiday tradition that waits to greet children, their parents and other community members every year. Parents who may have once graced the stage as children can now cheer on their own children as the enduring story of the Herdmans comes around to delight families.

In a casting shift different from what it was prior to COVID, children and older teens now make up the bulk of the cast, even filling roles traditionally written for adults. De la Concha sees it as a great move that gets more children interested in the arts, an endeavor extremely close to the theater’s heart.

“We have a good mix of kids from the area,” de la Concha stated. “We’re excited to see more schools join us, and we love seeing kids in the building around the holidays. We’re excited to have students come and see people their age on stage. We let them know they can come audition next year.”

To that end, de la Concha encourages children of all ages to audition when the time comes. “We have roles for as young as six all the way up to college — all are welcome.”

The theatre offers shows throughout the week, making “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” a holiday must-do for the whole family. The play is a wonderful field trip opportunity for the city's large home school population and would also make a fun outing for a playdate as the weather gets chillier.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is an hour of Christmas magic suitable for all ages. It’s the perfect opportunity for families and the Fayetteville community to come together and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

CFRT is located at 1209 Hay Street. For tickets or more information, contact the box office at 910-323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org/. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $13.50 to $18.50.