VAA debuts The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

VAA Musical Theatre, under direction of Marita Ericksen, stages The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a hilarious tale performed by 23 Island thespians, ages 7 to 17, with appearances by an additional cast of adorable ‘baby angels’ Friday and Saturday, December 14, 15, at 7 pm, Sunday, December 16, 2 pm.
 
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever tells the uproarious story of how six children wreak havoc in the community Christmas play and ultimately bring hope and joy to all. Written by Barbara Robinson in 1971, the book became an instant classic and was first adapted to stage in 1982 by Seattle Children’s Theatre.
 
"This is the first time I’ve ever staged the show," says Ericksen. The production includes intermittent vocals from the cherubic ‘angel choir.’ The entire cast will sing pre-show seasonal songs with piano accompaniment by Ericksen and guitar and mandolin by Paul Colwell. Characters will sing solos and duets. Narrator Sarah Hotchkiss also performs as several characters. Mia Knight plays Imogene the ringleader Herdman sister and Maria Gilmore plays the harried, ill-fated pageant director.
 
Erickson says it truly takes a village to stage a production of this magnitude. She lauds co stage directors Sue Wiley and Pam Hotchkiss, former students and of course parents of the actors/singers. Tessa Paw stage manages and Max Lopusznski will run lights. Moms Christy Jones and Danielle Bernheisel head up costumes, which Ericksen says ring true to the book, simple and kitschy, from tinfoil and tablecloths to cardboard and masking tape. Many other parents participate in rehearsals, brings snacks and help with front of house during performances.
 
Join the fun and bring the kids to this family-friendly holiday romp.
 
Special thanks to Paul Colwell and friends and all who attended Fam Jam, an event that contributed scholarship funds toward VAA Musical Theatre program.
 
Tickets, $7/$10 are available at VAA, Heron’s Nest, Vashon Bookshop and VashonAlliedArts.org