The Barn Theatre presents "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 through 9 and 13 through 16 with 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees on Dec. 10 and 17.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students. Ticket sales open to the public on Friday at the theatre box office and online at www.thebarntheatre.com
In this "hilarious" Christmas tale, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids, "the worst kids in the whole history of the world." The Herdman children wanted all the big roles and threatened the other kids so one would volunteer.
The whole town is horrified. The rehearsals are mayhem, the church gets set on fire, but somehow it turns out to be "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
The play is adapted from Barbara Robinson's best-selling book.
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Stacey Newhaus plays Mrs. Armstrong, who has directed the pageant for years. She is in the hospital and Grace Bradley, played by Stacey O'Brien, is taking over for her. Bill Bannon is her husband, Bob Bradley, and he is not fond of Christmas pageants.
Macy Hanson plays their daughter, Beth Bradley, and Jackson Muldrow plays their son, Charlie Bradley.
Playing the Herdman children are Jacob Lindgren as Ralph, the oldest Herdman; Megan Rudnick is Imogene Herdman, who is known to smoke in the girls' restroom at the church and is Mary in the pageant; Mack Merlin is Leroy Herdman; Alex Reynolds is Claude Herdman; Kennedi Lykken is Gladys Herdman, "the angel of the Lord"; and Brady Newcomer is Ollie Herdman.
Abby Tornquist plays Alice Wendleken, the girl who has played Mary in the Christmas pageant for as long as anyone can remember. Chris Muldrow is Elmer Hopkins, who has usually had the part of Joseph in the play.
Playing baby angels are Chloe Lykken, Emerald Parker, Alice Lindgren and Kylie Newcomer.
Members of the angel choir are Sophie Schmitz, Elizabeth Mangen, Addie Erickson, Daeshia Sundin and Savannah Anez.
Amelia Amon is the pageant narrator. Mike Reynolds and Zack Liebl are firemen.
Ashley Julien is Mrs. Clark, Nancy Swanson plays Mrs. McArthy, John Mack is the Rev. Hopkins and Kelsey Moe plays Mrs. Slocum. Claire Schmitz and Kaitlin Lisle are shepards.
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The play is directed by Nikki Bettcher Erickson. Becky Sorenson is the stage manager and Blake Testa is on sound and lights.
Dick Kleberg and Testa designed the set with Cheri Buzzeo doing the set dressing and Carol Olson working with props. Joanne Meirhoffer did the costumes and Liz Swanson is the makeup helper.
Parent helpers are Chris Newcomer, Dave Newcomer, Dawn Lykken, Cathy Bannon and Chris Lindgren.
The Barn Theatre is located at 321 Fourth St. S.W. in downtown Willmar; 320-235-9500.
