The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Herdman children appear to be the worst kids ever. They lie, they steal, and they curse. When the Herdmans hear the neighborhood church serves treats, they show up and volunteer for the lead roles in this year’s pageant. Ultimately everyone is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Suggested reading: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

NEW Sensory-friendly performance: The 4:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, performance will be modified to be more accessible and comfortable for audience members who might find the traditional theatre environment overwhelming. The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translations or descriptive services, with advance notice. Please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261 as soon as possible. Reasonable accommodations will be made for all requests. Click here to learn more about sensory-friendly performances at The Playhouse.

Season tickets are now on sale. Individual tickets will go on sale in mid-September.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays; ADDED SHOWS 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM, Friday, Nov. 28, & Saturday, Nov. 29
School Matinees:
9:30 AM & Noon, Tuesdays, Nov. 11 & 18, 2025
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Family Series in the Studio Theatre
Run Time:
TBD
Content Advisory:
Playhouse family theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.

Company

  • Mrs Clausing / Understudy Mother / Understudy Mrs Slocum

    Tammy Armstrong

    Mrs Clausing / Understudy Mother / Understudy Mrs Slocum
  • Baby Angel

    Vivian Armstrong

    Baby Angel
  • David

    Avery Beavers

    David
  • Mrs Edna McCarthy

    Frances Beavers

    Mrs Edna McCarthy
  • Mrs Irma Slocum

    Lucy Daniels

    Mrs Irma Slocum
  • Mrs Clark / Understudy Mrs Armstrong / Understudy Mrs McCarthy

    Lisa Day

    Mrs Clark / Understudy Mrs Armstrong / Understudy Mrs McCarthy
  • Mother (Grace Bradley)

    Erin Davison-Rippey

    Mother (Grace Bradley)
  • Baby Angel Shirley

    Fiona Davison-Rippey

    Baby Angel Shirley
  • Ensemble / Understudy Elmer Hopkins / Understudy Hobie / Understudy David

    Henry Davison-Rippey

    Ensemble / Understudy Elmer Hopkins / Understudy Hobie / Understudy David
  • Ollie Herdman

    Calvin Goerend

    Ollie Herdman
  • Elmer Hopkins

    Bennett Hardin

    Elmer Hopkins
  • Ensemble / Understudy Leroy Herdman / Understudy Claude Herdman

    Perah Healey

    Ensemble / Understudy Leroy Herdman / Understudy Claude Herdman
  • Beverly / Understudy Beth

    Mary Heilman

    Beverly / Understudy Beth
  • Maxine

    Lindsey Hollinger

    Maxine
  • Imogene Herdman

    Ari Kamerman

    Imogene Herdman
  • Ensemble / Understudy Imogene Herdman

    Porter Knox

    Ensemble / Understudy Imogene Herdman
  • Claude Herdman

    Bennett Liker

    Claude Herdman
  • Alice Wendleken

    Emersyn Magill

    Alice Wendleken
  • Ralph Herdman

    Ammon Martin

    Ralph Herdman
  • Ensemble / Understudy Charlie Bradley / Understudy Ollie Herdman

    Todd Moeller

    Ensemble / Understudy Charlie Bradley / Understudy Ollie Herdman
  • Leroy Herdman

    Sean Murphy

    Leroy Herdman
  • Baby Angel Doris / Understudy Gladys Herdman

    Lily Noble

    Baby Angel Doris / Understudy Gladys Herdman
  • Father (Bob Bradley)

    Daniel Pickett

    Father (Bob Bradley)
  • Ensemble

    Grace Pickett

    Ensemble
  • Ensemble / Understudy Alice Wendleken / Understudy Maxine

    Adeline Pollman

    Ensemble / Understudy Alice Wendleken / Understudy Maxine
  • Hobie

    Ava Pourian

    Hobie
  • Baby Angel Juanita

    Mya Ream

    Baby Angel Juanita
  • Gladys Herdman

    Cece Schmidt

    Gladys Herdman
  • Baby Angel / Understudy Baby Angel Shirley / Understudy Baby Angel Juanita / Understudy Baby Angel Doris

    Annalise Swartzendruber

    Baby Angel / Understudy Baby Angel Shirley / Understudy Baby Angel Juanita / Understudy Baby Angel Doris
  • Mrs Armstrong

    Amanda Throckmorton

    Mrs Armstrong
  • Reverend Hopkins / Understudy Ralph Herdman

    Ian Williams

    Reverend Hopkins / Understudy Ralph Herdman
  • Beth Bradley

    Zoey Wiliams-Decklever

    Beth Bradley
  • Charlie Bradley

    Benjamin Wortman

    Charlie Bradley
  • Director / Playhouse Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Director / Playhouse Artistic Director
  • Set Designer

    JP Ungs

    Set Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Virgil Kleinhesselink

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Bee Weinberg

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Hudson Pulver

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Franny Winn

    Assistant Stage Manager

Show Credits

Credits: By Barbara Robinson • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc, www.concordtheatricals.com

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