The Evergreen Playhouse is bringing back “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” for the full run it was denied a few years ago.
The Centralia theater last produced the heartfelt Christmas comedy in December 2021, but canceled the run early after much of the cast came down with COVID-19.
Now, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” returns to the Evergreen Playhouse stage Dec. 5-21 with a new director, cast and crew.
Based on the book by Barbara Robinson and adapted into movies in 1983 and 2024, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” follows a church Christmas pageant that is derailed by the delinquent Herdman kids, who cause mayhem and end up teaching the community the true meaning of Christmas.
“As I delved into this simple script, I discovered much more than I expected,” show director Yvonne MacNeely writes in her director’s note. “A beautiful tradition can devolve into just another chore, if we lose sight of its intended purpose and meaning. In the end, it takes a motley ‘herd’ of distrustful and deprived children; ‘the least among us,’ to bring back the magic, rekindle the faith, and just possibly perform a tiny miracle on Christmas Eve.”
The show is appropriate for all ages and runs one hour and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through the run, with the exception of the Saturday, Dec. 13, show, which is at 2 p.m. to avoid conflict with the Centralia Lighted Tractor parade. Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.
The Thursday, Dec. 11 performance is a pay-what-you-can benefit for the cast and crew.
Tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for youth, students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at https://evergreenplayhouse.com/ or at the door if available. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
The Evergreen Playhouse is located at 226 W. Center Street in Centralia.
Cast list
Bob Bradley: Claudio Perissinotto
Grace Bradley: Erika Skorstad
Beth Bradley: Cecilia Noreau
Charlie Bradley: Miles O’Brien
Ralph Herdman: Stephen Shankle
Imogene Herdman: Dylanne Perdue
Ollie Herdman: Violet Swehosky
Leroy Herdman: Oliver Stanton
Gladys Herdman: Soleil Ramirez
Claude Herdman Jude Burya
Alice: Baylee McDaniels (understudied by Ruby Stanton)
Maxine: Coraline Thayer
Elmer: Aiden Mitchell
Beverly: Leighton Hughes-Hernandez
Shirley/Nurse: Madison Scharber
David: Cassius Samples
Mrs. Armstrong: Lucy Page
Mrs. Clausing/Rev. Hopkins: Emily Fitzgerald
Mrs. Slocum/Mildred: Lily Eygabroat
Mrs. McCarthy: Nicole Galyean
Crew list
Director: Yvonne MacNeely
Stage manager: Matthew Michael and Magdelena Burgman
Set construction: Isaac McKenzieSullivan and Nathaniel McKenzieSullivan
Scenic painters: Theresa McKenzieSullivan and Yvonne MacNeely
Costumes: Janelle Lunzman
Props/set dressing: Yvonne MacNeely
Lighting designer: Danielle Kays
Light and sound board operator: Eliza Conner
Programs and posters: Designs by Danielle
House manager: Matthew Michael
