‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ auditions Sept. 21-22

Performances will be held Dec. 12-14 and 19-20 at 7:30 p.m., with two matinees: Sunday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m.

In this hilarious Christmas tale, an unwilling mother recruited to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids — probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem — and the fun — when the “worst kids in town” collide with the Christmas story head on.

Those auditioning will read from the script.

Character breakdown

(Note that when ages are listed, they mean “able to play” those ages.)

Mother (Grace Bradley): flustered but trying to remain calm

Father (Bob Bradley): a steadying influence

Beth Bradley: the narrator, strong voice and presence, 10-14

Charlie Bradley: ordinary kid brother, 8-9

Ralph Herdman: tough, touch of adolescent cool, 12-14

Imogene Herdman: tough, loud, bossy 10-14

Leroy Herdman: tough, sure of himself, 9-12 (either boy or girl)

Claude Herdman: tough, Ollie’s partner in crime, 9-10 (either boy or girl)

Ollie Herdman: tough, Claude’s partner in crime, 8-9 (either boy or girl)

Gladys Herdman: small, tough, feisty, 7-8

Alice Wendleken: prim, proper, pain in the neck, 10-14

Mrs. Armstrong: bossy woman, managerial in voice and manner

Mrs. Slocum: pleasant, motherly woman,

Mrs. McCarthy: a younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong,

Maxine: l0-l4 – earnest, wants to do the right thing (either boy or girl)

Reverend Hopkins: either male or female

Many speaking roles for angel choir members, baby angels, shepherds

For more information contact Kathleen Morrow at kathleen.morrow@embarq-mail.com.