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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The MusicalAlso available: Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The JVThe 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 Bradley 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. |
Roles
10F, 9M
Musicians
5
Acts
2
Duration
70 Min |
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 together in the...
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 together in the...
Instrumentation
5 Musicians
Piano/Conductor (Keyboard)
Reed (Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax)
Guitar (Acoustic, Electric)
Bass (Electric)
Drums
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.
Promotional Resources
Official Logo Pack
Included with license
Includes color and black and white high-resolution logo files in JPG, PNG, and EPS formats.
Official Show Artwork
$175 / $125 for educators
Creating artwork for your performance has never been easier – customize online in minutes, download a print-ready PDF, order printed posters, access layered files.
Social Media Marketing Kit
$250 / $150 for educators
Includes everything you need to plan and implement the promotion of your show – 50+ graphics for social media, original show specific content, social media guide, promotion calendar and press release template.
Cast & Crew T-Shirts
As low as $10 each
Broadway Licensing has partnered with Subplot Studio to offer premium-quality Cast & Crew T-Shirts! You can add your theatre name, show dates and even your cast & crew names on the back.
Production Resources
Advance Pack
Includes 1 Piano/Conductor Book, 1 Director’s Script and 1 Cast Script/ Vocal Book shipped as soon as payment is received.
$100
Extra Rehearsal Weeks
If you need your full set of production materials prior to the regularly scheduled shipment (see above), you can request additional weeks.
$100 / week
Archival Video License
If you want to record your production for archival purposes and to provide at cost copies to your cast and crew, you may do so by purchasing a video license.
Varies by Show
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, $175/both
TurnKey Transpositions
Broadway stars change the keys of songs all the time...so why not you? Optimize your actors' performances by ordering our TurnKey Transposition. Get the perfect key for the perfect actor! All digital delivery, usually within 24 hours.
$50 per song for PV or PC
$150 per song for all orchestral parts (including PC/PV)
Digital Orchestration Parts
Prefer playing or rehearsing from your tablet? All of our orchestration books (including PC and PV) are available in digital copies.
PC or PV $50
Orchestration Parts $25/per book
Stage Tracks / Show Ready
PROVIDED BY RIGHT ON CUE SERVICES
These high quality performance and rehearsal tracks will greatly enhance your production.
Additional Books
Additional books (Cast Script / Vocal, Piano / Conductor, etc.) are available.
$25 each
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