The true meaning of … Christmas: MCT presents ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’
Published 7:23 am Wednesday, December 18, 2019
- Angela Donovan, left, and the rest of the cast of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” rehearse a scene Tuesday night in preparation for the production that starts this weekend. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Matchbox Children’s Theatre will celebrate the launch of its 45th season in festive holiday style with performances of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” based on the popular children’s book by Barbara Robinson.
Catch the Christmas Spirit as the kids in the notorious Herdman family take over the starring roles in the annual Sunday school pageant and end up teaching everyone the true meaning of Christmas. Look forward to a fascinating mix of funny and thoughtful moments on the way to an inspirational finish.
Co-director Jenny Dreyer has loved this Christmas story since childhood. She is teaming up with co-director Andie Lewis to bring the story to life. The cast consists individuals ranging from ages 6 to adult.
“This show creates such great opportunities for a big cast with a wide range of experience, from the little angels to the leading roles,” Dreyer said. “I am so proud of the hard work of everyone in the cast and the audience will definitely see the results shining through on stage.”
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20-21 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 22. All performances are at the Historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin.
Season and individual tickets are available now online at austinareaarts.org and the MCT website at matchboxchildrenstheatre.org. Tickets will also be available at the door starting one hour before each show. Tickets are $6 for ages 14 and younger, $10 for adults, and free for ages 2 and under.
The cast and crew of the Matchbox Children’s theatre is getting ready for the production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” opening this weekend at the Paramount Theatre.
Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Cast list
Father – Randy Forster
Mother – Angela Donovan
Beth – Renae Clark
Charlie – Hunter Wollenberg
Imogene Herdman – Allie Alm
Ralph Herdman – Rylan Clark
Claude Herdman – Sam Vortherms
Ollie Herdman – Levi Phillips
Gladys Herdman – Liberty Andersen
Alice – Kya McManus
Mrs. Armstrong – Kim Zerke
Mrs.Clark/Fireman – Megan Dilley-Jones
Mrs. Clausing/Fireman – Kaiah Gibson
Mrs. McCarthy – Diann Smith
Maxine – Lynsey McMahon
Elmer – Tommy Marreel
Hobie – Jude Hovland
David – Aedyn Proulx
Beverly – Hanna Zerke
Shirley – Ava Lillis
Juanita – Olivia Felten
Doris – Andrea Langfitt
Reverend Hopkins – Isaac Zerke
Angel/Shepard Choir –
- Faith Langfitt
- Alexis Langfitt
- Laelia Viehauser
- Stella Sithvongsa
- McKenna Donovan
- Renee Vossler
- Leah Pischke
- Payton Southard
- Jude Krusemark
- Jackson Slack
- Harper Hovland
- Jackson Dreyer
- Maggie Dreyer