The Cape Fear Regional Theatre launched its annual Christmas production Saturday night, with its production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Now in its 33rd year, the show has become a beloved Christmas tradition for Fayetteville.
The heartbeat of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever pulses with themes of misunderstanding, social prejudice and self-righteous judgment. The story of a Christmas church play seemingly destined for disaster under the inexperienced direction of Mrs. Bradley — portrayed by Amber Dawn French — lays the foundation for redemption and grace for everyone involved. Having reviewed this play for several years, I still find myself moved by the Christmas story woven through the chaos brought by the show’s main players, the Herdman children.
While it’s a Christmas play, the true power of the story doesn’t lie in the music, the performance of the songs, or the adorable lambs, shepherds and haloed angels. It’s found in the quiet, reflective moments. For example, when Imogene Herdman, playing Mary, cradles a newborn Jesus. In that moment, the plastic doll portraying Jesus becomes a profound symbol. As the character of Imogene Herdman gazes inward, she recognizes the magnitude of God’s gift. This baby represents God’s sacrifice to remove sin, redeem the worst among us and bring peace to those who believe — even to the Herdmans.
The Herdmans understand this truth and, in their own way, offer heartfelt sacrifices in gratitude: a can of their only food, a cherished toy fire truck or a beloved teddy bear.
CFRT’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever acts as a beacon, calling us back each Christmas to the heart of what truly matters and reminding us of the real reason for the season.
A talented cast
The production features a rotating cast of children divided into four groups: Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Clove. The Cinnamon cast opened the show Saturday. While the children’s cast rotates, CFRT’s professional actors, Amber Dawn French, Matthew Stuart Jackson and Kathy Day, reprise their roles as Mrs. Bradley, Mr. Bradley and Mrs. Armstrong, respectively. The trio has become a staple of the production, delivering stellar performances year after year and solidifying their place as part of the show’s enduring tradition.
A new venue
Though the heartwarming Christmas story remains unchanged, the venue for the play is new while the theater’s location in Haymount undergoes renovations. This year’s production is held at the theater space on 1707 Owen Drive within GoodHomes Bordeaux.
For the next two years, CFRT productions will take place at GoodHomes Bordeaux, an upscale apartment community that was formerly the Holiday Inn Bordeaux.
The Bordeaux complex feels like a fitting match for CFRT, blending historic Fayetteville charm with the spirit of the season. The venue offers ample parking — an improvement over the sometimes challenging parking situation at the Hay Street location.
While slightly smaller than the Hay Street theater, the new space accommodates up to 240 seats, compared to the previous 273. The audience is treated to an immersive experience, with the stage set in the middle of horseshoe-style seating — a unique and engaging departure from the traditional setup. The theater space is beautifully decorated for Christmas, adding to the festive ambiance.
After the play, I spoke with CFRT Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke about the transition to the new venue. Burke shared that the move has been remarkably smooth, thanks to the support of local businesses, which stepped up to make the process nearly effortless. It’s a testament to Fayetteville’s sense of community and holiday spirit.
A timeless tradition
I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and wholeheartedly recommend it, even if you’ve seen it multiple times as I have. The rotating children’s cast and the new venue bring fresh energy to the show, making each year a unique experience.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever runs from Dec. 7 to 22. For more information, visit the CFRT website or call the box office at 910-323-4233.
CityView Media is a seasonal sponsor of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. As part of that relationship, we agree to publish reviews of all main-stage productions on our website. The content of that coverage, however, is independent and within the discretion of the CityView editorial team.
Jason Canady is a freelance writer for CityView. He can be reached at redeemed1977@gmail.com.
What an awesome review. I definitely want to go see this now after reading this. Thank you for sharing about this play