By Emily Roberts, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Town Hall Productions and Heritage Children Services will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Dec. 8-11 in the Russ Mobley Theatre, 114 University Drive, Campbellsville.
Show times are 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8, Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday Dec. 10; and 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 11.
The musical is based on the 1971 children’s novel by Barbara Robinson.
A synopsis of the musical said, “The 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 entire show. 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.
The cast list is as follows: Brayden Cole, from Columbia, Ky., plays the role of Ralph Herdman. Lilly Coots, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Imogene Herdman.
Connor Coots, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Leroy Herdman. Owen Hodges, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Claude Herdman. Keightly Pickett, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Ollie Herdman. Henslee Grubesic, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Gladys Herdman.
Malorie Bryne, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Grace Bradley. Colin Harris, sophomore from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Bob Bradley. Jackson Hayes, sophomore from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Charlie Bradley.
Nora Harris, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Beth Bradley. Nathan Williams, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Reverend Hopkins. Jaren Childers, from Elizabethtown, Ky., plays Helen Armstrong.
Jennifer Smith, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Luanne the churchgoer. Malarie Drake, from Russellville, Ark., plays the churchgoer Betty. Maddie Crowder, from Greensburg, Ky., plays Connie, who is also a churchgoer.
Faith Wilson, from Louisville, Ky., and Natalie Acosta, from Campbellsville, Ky., play the role of a church lady. Katie Munford, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays the candy striper. Cheyenne Keith, from Greensburg, Ky., plays Alice Wendleken. Channing Young, a junior from Lebanon, Ky., plays Elmer Hopkins.
Nicholas Santos, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Teddy Shoemaker. Sophia Santos, from Campbellsville, Ky., plays Ivy Reed.
Lyra Bagby, from Greensburg, Ky., along with Daniella Barrios, Fairington Pickett, Katie Mumford, Tessa Smith, Isla Snyder, and Annabelle Williams, all from Campbellsville, Ky., play the church and school children.
The tech crew is as follows: Andrew Ward, director of Town Hall Productions, is the production’s producer. Kristin Dowdy, assistant professor of theatre, is the director. Cyndi Chadwick, from Robards, Ky., is the music director.
Alia McClendon, community theatre manager, is the tech director. Emily Burchett, from Glasgow, Ky., is stage manager. Savannah Sharp, sophomore from Liberty, Ky., is the assistant stage manager and music board operator.
Lauren Phillips, 2022 graduate of Campbellsville University, is the costume designer. Gavin Johnson, a junior from Campbellsville, Ky., will oversee costumes. Emily Whitehurst, sophomore from Liberty Ky., is in charge of hair and makeup.
Abagail Tollison, senior from Glasgow, Ky., is the props designer. Alex West, a freshman from Burnside, Ky.; Isaac Rogers, a freshman from Campbellsville, Ky.; and Lacey Miller, a freshman from Radcliff, Ky., will serve as members of the props crew. Gabe Taylor, a senior from Taylorsville, Ky., will oversee scenic design and construction.
Aliana Frankowicz, Aniana Frankowicz, Tranquility Frankowicz, Isaac Rogers, Carynne Ritter, all from Campbellsville, Ky., and Bryce Osborne, a freshman from Nicholasville, Ky., are part of the scenic paint crew. Osborne will also oversee light board operation.
McClendon will also oversee lights design. Nicholas Hardin, freshman from Hodgenville, Ky., is the spot operator for the light crew.
Corporate sponsors are Community Trust Bank, Tucker Family Medicine, Campbellsville Dental Care, Tucker Diamonds and Gold, The White Orchid and Papa Johns.
General admission is $12. Cost of admission for Campbellsville University students is $8. Admission for children under 12 and seniors 65 and over is $8.
Tickets are available at https://townhallpro2013.ticketleap.com/greatest-cmas-pageant/.
Online ticket sales will end at noon the day of the production. Afterward, tickets can be reserved by calling (270) 283-0566 or purchased at the door while supplies last.
To make special requests for handicapped seating, call (270) 789-5266.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.