The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The MusicalThe Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world–so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon, everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic. “In our 75 years, this title is our #1 top-selling show of all time!” Adam Burke, Artistic Director, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte |
|
|
Roles
10F, 9M
Musicians
5
Acts
2
Duration
1 hour 30 minutes |
Music
Creators
Jahnna Beecham
Playwright/Lyricist Jahnna Beecham (Playwright/Lyricist) met Malcolm Hillgartner (Composer/Lyricist) while acting at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. They were married onstage at the Empty Space Theatre in Seattle and have built a life...
Malcolm Hillgartner
Composer/Lyricist Malcolm Hillgartner (Composer/Lyricist) met Jahnna Beecham (playwright/lyricist) while acting at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. They were married onstage at the Empty Space Theatre in Seattle and have built a life...
Videos
Reviews
"Did BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER really need to be a musical? Yes.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL may be the first play written for kids that would inspire me to buy the original cast album, if there were one . . . The show would be vastly less interesting if music and lyrics by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner were yanked and the source material went naked. That’s remarkable, as the show adapts strong source material indeed."
Charlotte Observer
"A lively show... full of upbeat tunes, this winning addition to the holiday canon manages to also touch the heart... the tunes make a swell addition."
Orlando Sentinel
Orchestration
5 Musicians
PIANO/CONDUCTOR
REED (Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax)
BASS (Electric)
DRUMS
GUITAR (Acoustic, Electric)
Casting
Ralph
Male - 13
The oldest and coolest. He’s the enforcer.
Imogene
Female - 12
Leader of the Herdmans. She’s loud, bossy, and crafty.
Leroy
Male - 11
Ralph’s backup. Very confident in the muscle department.
Claude
Male - 10
Scrappy and smart.
Ollie
Male - 9
A bit of a naïve urchin who follows the older boys’ leads.
Gladys
Female - 8
Little but fierce. Nothing scares Gladys.
Grace
Female - 35-40ish
Sweet, good-humored, slightly frazzled mom.
Bob
Male - 35-40ish
Easygoing dad, wry sense of humor.
Charlie
Male - 10
Typical kid brother, says what he thinks.
Beth
Female - 11
Charlie’s older and wiser sister. She’s honest and kind.
Helen Armstrong
Female - 40-50ish
Organized steamroller. She’s always in charge.
Reverend Hopkins
Male - 40-50ish
Occasionally befuddled, always well-meaning.
Luanne
Female - 35-40ish
Sassy, tells it like it is.
Betty
Female - 30–40ish
Sweet southerner, calls everyone “honey.”
Connie
Female - 30-40ish
Direct, no-nonsense type.
Alice Wendleken
Female - 11
Know-it-all. She thinks she’s perfect.
Elmer Hopkins
Male - 10
Preacher’s kid, which means he needs to behave and be nice.
Teddy Shoemaker
Male - 9
Wimpy kid with glasses, asks too many questions.
Ivy Reed
Female - 11
Beth’s earnest friend who is sometimes a goody-goody.
Production Materials
The required production package will include the materials listed below. These materials will be shipped upon receipt of payment if your license request is approved.
19 Cast Script/Vocal Books
A combination of the show’s full script and the full vocal book. All dialogue within each song is printed in the score to prevent flipping back and forth during rehearsals. All books are spiral-bound and double-sided.
2 Director’s Scripts
A single-sided, spiral-bound script designed with plenty of space for the director to take notes and add blocking during the rehearsal process.
1 Stage Manager’s Script
A single-sided, three-hole punched script that can be inserted into your three-ring binder.
2 Piano/Conductor Scores
A keyboard score that is a key part of the show’s actual orchestration. This score contains both vocal parts and a cue staff, which guides the conductor through the full orchestration by informing them when instruments enter the song, as well as providing specific part lines when necessary.
Orchestration Set
Bass, Drums, Guitar, Reed
Production Resources
Archival Video License
If you want to record your production for archival purposes you may do so by purchasing a video license. This allows you to record one performance for your internal archives only. This archival copy can be distributed to your cast and crew. The archival recording cannot be distributed or posted online. Archival License availability varies by title and all requests must be approved by Broadway Licensing Global.
$150
Stage|Tracks & Show|Ready
Provided by our partners at Right On Cue Services, Stage|Tracks and Show|Ready are the perfect musical pair to set your production up for success. Unlike some performance tracks that sound synthesized and lack musicality, Stage|Tracks delivers exceptional sound that directors can rely on. With Stage|Tracks, you will also receive Show|Ready—your cast can review their parts through a versatile app; they can even change key, adjust tempos, and customize to your production.
$750+
Stage|Tracks
Unlike some performance tracks that sound synthesized and lack musicality, Stage|Tracks delivers exceptional sound that directors can rely on. This versatile software, provided by our partners at Right On Cue Services, is your digital orchestra for performances; it accommodates vamps, cuts, key changes, tempo changes, and more!
$450
Show|Ready
Show|Ready, a customizable rehearsal tool provided by our partners at Right On Cue Services, takes piano plunk tracks to the next level—your cast can review their parts through a versatile app with a virtual band; they can even change key, adjust tempos, and customize to your production.
$350
Additional Printed Books
Additional books (Cast Script/Vocal, Piano/Conductor, etc.) are available.
$25 each
Full Conductor Score
An ideal solution for those who choose to conduct their show from the podium, as opposed to the piano. Each detailed instrument staff is always right in front of you--giving you the most comprehensive layout for full control of your orchestra.
$125/Print, $100/Digital
Digital Orchestration PDFs
Prefer playing or rehearsing from your tablet? All of our orchestration scores (including PC and PV) are available in digital copies.
Digital PC or PV $50
Full Digital Orchestration Set $150
Sound Effects Package
Our easily downloadable SFX package includes all the necessary noises to enhance your production. No additional software is required so you can simply run these from a computer, phone or tablet.
$50
Broadway Plus
A workshop experience in which a Broadway artist speaks and works with students in an educational setting through our partnership with Broadway Plus.
Prices Vary by Product
TurnKey Transpositions
Our catalogue is full of iconic music, and we can customize many of our titles to your performers' unique voices with our TurnKey Transpositions. Get the perfect key for the perfect actor! Our team will transpose any songs at your request during any point in your license period. All files will be delivered digitally and priced for your specific needs.
$50 per song for PV or PC
$150 per song for all orchestral parts (including PC/PV)
Credits
Book and Lyrics by
Jahnna Beecham
Music and Lyrics by
Malcom Hillgartner
Based on the Play by Barbara Robinson
Orchestrations and vocal arrangements by Deborah Wicks LaPuma
