Cumberland ETC Theater is holding auditions for their upcoming production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on Saturday September 6, and Saturday September 13th, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Cumberland ETC Ruppel Family Theater. Rehearsals will begin in October, and the show will run from December 11-14, (two shows on the 13th) 2025. The production is based on the book and play by Barbara Robinson, and will be directed by Diane Thorp and Chris Hopkins-Hile.
Adults and children who are readers will be asked to read from a script. Children can also come in with a memorized poem or a short song.
The Story:
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling 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 Herdman’s collide head-on with the story of Christmas. This crowd-pleasing comedy features a few Christmas Carols and lots of laughs.
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling 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 Herdman’s collide head-on with the story of Christmas. This crowd-pleasing comedy features a few Christmas Carols and lots of laughs.
ADULT ROLES (Ages are “stage age”)
All adult roles are small except for Grace Bradley
GRACE BRADLEY (MOTHER). 30+. A main role who takes over the annual Christmas pageant; mother to Beth and Charlie; wife to Bob.
BOB BRADLEY/ (FATHER). 30+. Husband to Grace and father to Beth and Charlie. A solid family man.
MRS. ARMSTRONG. 50s+. Managerial, in voice and manner; largish, bossy, impatient.
MRS. SLOCUM, MRS. CLARK, MRS. CLAUSING. 30-60+. Pleasant, motherly women very small roles
MRS. McCARTHY. 40s, 50s. A younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong
REVEREND HOPKINS. 30s+. pastor
2 FIREFIGHTERS Ready for any fire! (appear for a few minutes in one scene)
BOB BRADLEY/ (FATHER). 30+. Husband to Grace and father to Beth and Charlie. A solid family man.
MRS. ARMSTRONG. 50s+. Managerial, in voice and manner; largish, bossy, impatient.
MRS. SLOCUM, MRS. CLARK, MRS. CLAUSING. 30-60+. Pleasant, motherly women very small roles
MRS. McCARTHY. 40s, 50s. A younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong
REVEREND HOPKINS. 30s+. pastor
2 FIREFIGHTERS Ready for any fire! (appear for a few minutes in one scene)
CHILD ROLES
BETH BRADLEY. 10-12ish. A lead role who is also the show’s narrator. Grace/Bob’s daughter. Beth needs a strong voice and stage presence; is in most scenes dealing with a range of moods and situations.
CHARLIE BRADLEY. 8-9; Beth’s brother – the typical kid brother.
ALICE WENDLEKEN. 10-11. Prim, proper, pain in the neck
MAXINE: 10-11. Beth’s church Sunday school classmate,good reader.
ELMER. 12-13. The minister’s son; dislikes church; not fond of the Herdmans.
HOBIE, DAVID, BEVERLY, JUANITA, DORIS. Various ages, 7-10.
BETH BRADLEY. 10-12ish. A lead role who is also the show’s narrator. Grace/Bob’s daughter. Beth needs a strong voice and stage presence; is in most scenes dealing with a range of moods and situations.
CHARLIE BRADLEY. 8-9; Beth’s brother – the typical kid brother.
ALICE WENDLEKEN. 10-11. Prim, proper, pain in the neck
MAXINE: 10-11. Beth’s church Sunday school classmate,good reader.
ELMER. 12-13. The minister’s son; dislikes church; not fond of the Herdmans.
HOBIE, DAVID, BEVERLY, JUANITA, DORIS. Various ages, 7-10.
THE HERDMANS — “the worst kids in the history of the world.”
RALPH. 12-13. The oldest Herdman; ragged, scroungy, slouching manner, touch of adolescent cool.
IMOGENE. 11-12 Loud, bossy, tough, crafty. The Herdman leader.
LEROY. 10-11. Tough, very sure of himself.
CLAUDE. 8-9. Tough, combative. A crime buddy to Ollie.
OLLIE. 8-9. Boy Always looking for trouble. Claude’s usual partner in crime.
GLADYS. 7-8. Small, wiry, feisty, mean. Often funny
RALPH. 12-13. The oldest Herdman; ragged, scroungy, slouching manner, touch of adolescent cool.
IMOGENE. 11-12 Loud, bossy, tough, crafty. The Herdman leader.
LEROY. 10-11. Tough, very sure of himself.
CLAUDE. 8-9. Tough, combative. A crime buddy to Ollie.
OLLIE. 8-9. Boy Always looking for trouble. Claude’s usual partner in crime.
GLADYS. 7-8. Small, wiry, feisty, mean. Often funny
ADDITIONAL ROLES
Various ages, 6-up. Angel Choir members; baby angels, shepherds