PACE — The Panhandle Community Theatre’s production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” opens this weekend at the Imogene Theatre in downtown Milton.
The play’s director, Patty Barry, shared what attendees can expect from the holiday-themed production.
1. Santa Claus will be there. “Santa will be letting kids take pictures with him,” Barry said. The photo opportunity will take place before the show, from 6-7 p.m.
2. Girl Scouts will go caroling. Barry said local Girls Scouts would sing Christmas carols for attendees at 7 p.m. before the show. On Sunday Dec. 4, the caroling preshow will start at 2 p.m.
3. Expect some surprises. Barry, who has directed five PCT productions, said attendees should expect something different from this year’s pageant. “It is not going to be the same thing as last year,” Barry said. “It’s a totally different show; that is the beauty of live theatre.” One example would be the live keyboard music provided in the production instead of pre-recorded music, Barry said.
4. Kids take center stage. Children make up most of the cast, according to Barry. “When you get 3-year-olds up there, they really entertain,” she said. Out of the 25 actors performing in the production, more than half are children.
5. Come to laugh and enjoy an engaging story. The play is based on Barbara Robinson’s book, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” in which children recreate the traditional Christmas story in an unconventional way. Barry said the production has many comedic moments while delivering a message as the story follows the Herdman children, who with no prior knowledge of the Biblical Christmas story, find themselves as lead roles in a Sunday school play.
“It’s for all ages, a lot of fun with a great message attached,” Barry said.
What: Panhandle Community Theatre presents, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
When: Preshow activities begin 6 p.m. Dec. 1-3 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. The Dec. 4 show starts at 2:30 p.m. with Girl Scouts caroling at 2 p.m.
Where: Imogene Theatre, 6866 Caroline St., downtown Milton
Cost: $10 for children, $15 for adults. Call 221-7599 or visit panhandlecommunitytheatre.com or theimogenetheatre.com for tickets.
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 5 things to know about 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’