Captivating for all ages, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical” is continuing to play throughout the month of December at the Todd Wehr Theater.
A misguided group of children feel left out of a Christmas play. While others consider them to be the “worst kids in the history of the world,” they embark on a journey to create a play of their own. Gathering supplies by stealing, and committing other petty crimes, the children take over a Christmas play that is already being run by a different group of children.
No one expects anything from these “terrible” children, but they surprise everyone with their musical talent and choreographic skills! It reminded me of a toned-down version of “Annie.” I found the play to be satisfying for all age groups. It was not the story line that interested me as much as the effort that the cast put into portraying their parts. Karen Estrada, who played Mrs. Bradley, was able to control the whole scenario like a maestro before the big bands of the 1950s and ‘60s. It was a struggle, but in the end the whole picture came into view. Students as well as adults were able to showcase their singing talent in this musical rendition of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
“Take My Lunch” was a song performed well with the mix of costumes that brought back a lot of memories of musicals gone by. It’s tribute to what you can achieve with unruly talented children, sometimes annoying adults and one determined woman who empowers the whole orderly catastrophe into a successful, witty conundrum of misfits, who in the end have actually given us “the best Christmas pageant ever.”