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It’s officially Christmastime in Fayetteville!
The Cape Fear Regional Theatre launched its 34th annual production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! on Saturday.
There are four cast ensembles: Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Clove. The Ginger Cast opened with a sold-out matinee at 2 p.m., and the Cinnamon Cast debuted in the 7:30 p.m. performance. (I’m reviewing the Cinnamon Cast.)
I’ve been lucky enough to review this heartwarming show for several years, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! has truly become a Fayetteville holiday tradition. What makes it so special isn’t just the annual production—it’s how it brings together and celebrates the amazing talent right here in our community.
The story, written in 1971 by Barbara Robinson, is still exactly what everyone needs to see and hear today. A well-written story is timeless and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! will still find its way into one’s heart.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc. and directed by Jennifer Sell.
The Cinnamon Cast performance I saw Saturday evening was stunning. This group of remarkably talented actors breathed fresh life into every line, making familiar moments pop and zing with new energy and clarity. After the show, I spoke with Cape Fear Regional Theatre Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke, and she felt the same spark.
“These are really talented actors, and there’s just something special about this year’s performance,” Burke said.
The plot
The story centers on the Herdmans—six wild, rough-around-the-edges siblings who terrorize the neighborhood and had never set foot in a church. That is, until free snacks become involved whereupon the Herdmans barge in and bully their way into every major role. Chaos, naturally, ensues.
These kids have never heard the Christmas story, don’t own a Bible, and think “swearing” is just how people talk. They smoke, steal, and—in one unforgettable moment—toss the baby Jesus around like a football. The proper church ladies are horrified and expect the whole production to crash and burn.
Yet opening night arrives, and the sanctuary is packed—not out of holiday spirit, but the morbid curiosity of townsfolk wanting to see how the Herdmans will wreck the show.
What follows is pure magic: a hilarious, heartfelt rollercoaster that leaves audiences laughing one minute and reaching for tissues the next. In the end, both the Herdmans and the stunned congregation discover the real meaning of Christmas—and it’s nothing like anyone expected.
The power of the Christmas message
During one particularly moving moment, I heard sniffles all around me and glanced over to see mothers and fathers quietly wiping away tears. The heart of the story had landed exactly where it needed to. Jesus loves the Herdmans too.
The true power of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! is how it weaves the story of Christ’s birth throughout the chaos. Christ came to save the lost, and that very much includes the Herdmans—even when no one else believes they’re worth saving.
True redemption always sparks a change of heart and, soon after, a change in actions. This production captures that transformation beautifully in both the Herdmans and the skeptical townspeople who once thought they didn’t belong.
“Everyone had been waiting all this time for the Herdmans to do something absolutely unexpected. And sure enough, that was what happened,” character Beth Bradley said.
“There’s no small parts, just small actors”
Long-time Cape Fear Regional Theatre cast members Amber Dawn French and Matthew Stuart Jackson revive their roles as Mr. and Mrs. Bradley. The two put on great performances and have become a staple of the show.
In the Cinnamon Cast, Hannah Ross shines as narrator and daughter Beth, while Charles Heron brings fresh charm and perfect little-brother energy to Charlie. Both delivered their lines with such spark that even dialogue I know by heart felt brand new.
Landon Trevino plays Reverend Hopkins and his performance gives a new spin to the role, bringing praise from Mary Catherine Burke after the show.
A standout for me was Hayden Cunningham as the fearsome Herdman ringleader, Imogene. Gone was the tough-girl leather jacket of past productions—Hayden’s Imogene rocked a plaid flannel shirt and an attitude that somehow made her even more ferocious and, by the end, more heartbreakingly human.
I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! and was impressed that the production continues to evolve and surprise. This year is a must-see no matter which cast performance you attend.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! is performed at Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s temporary home at 1707 Owen Drive, while renovations are underway at their downtown Hay Street location. The play is an hour long and runs until December 21. Tickets can be purchased online at cfrt.org or by calling the box office at (910) 323-4233. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for children. The Cape Fear Regional Theatre offers military appreciation nights December 9-12. Group rates and school performances are available.
