For the 33rd year, children from all over Fayetteville have brought the story of Christmas to Cape Fear Regional Theatre in the heartwarming classic The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
The “worst kids in the history of the world” are in the starring roles as the Herdmans — feared for stealing lunches, causing mayhem and acting maniacal. These kids don’t go to the local church, which hosts the annual pageant telling the story of Jesus’ birth until they are lured to Sunday school with promises of sweets. The Herdmans then demand the lead parts, and over the course of the production are changed by learning the meaning of Christmas.
The production of the 1972 bestselling novel by Barbara Robinson and its popularity in Cumberland County is why Cape Fear Regional Theatre is in its third decade of filling its seats — and stage — with Fayetteville families and school children.
One of the children playing a “Herdman,” is Lillian Goodlett, a 10-year-old attending 5th grade at Vanstory Hills Elementary School, who is in her second year performing in the show.
This year she is playing Gladys, and her sister Elisabet is playing Mrs. Slocum, both in the Nutmeg cast — the production rotates its cast and its members are separated into four casts: “Clove,” “Cinnamon,” “Nutmeg” and “Ginger.”
“I love the way it feels when the light shines on my face,” Goodlett said when asked about her favorite part of performing. “I become the character I imagine.”
Goodlett, who has attended and performed in the theater’s summer camps for three years, said that Cape Fear Regional Theatre provides a family-like safe space where she can be herself and where she has become friends with everyone.
“I also love that every year the cast changes so I always make new friends, but I also see some of the same friends in roles that I’ve become really very close with,” Goodlett said.
BCPE Director Jennifer Sell said with over 120 children cast that they are able to configure four casts in the production run that bring something new to the show keeping everything fresh and invigorated.
“Every year, the combination of kids in each cast brings a new twist, as they all bring their own personalities to the table,” Sell said. “While all four casts are performing the same show, they each have their own charm.”
While certain aspects remain the same year after year, there is one big change this year — the performance space.
“Our team has created a lovely new stage at Owen Drive that allows the audience to be close to the action for a more intimate and immersive experience than we have been able to offer in the past,” Sell said.
Sell said as they have adjusted to the new space that “we’ve been able to breathe new life into the show, while still holding on to the story, meaning, and tradition that the community knows and loves.”
CFRT Marketing Director Ashley Nicholl Owen said that the show will be performed at the new theater space at GoodHomes Bordeaux located at 1707 Owen Drive.
“We are so excited about continuing our residency at GoodHomes Bordeaux,” Owen said. “We had a great response from audiences during Puffs, and we are thrilled for audiences to experience Best Christmas Pageant Ever in a new way for the 33rd anniversary.”
The temporary space at GoodHomes Bordeaux will be the theater home over the next two years as construction begins on the old location, according to CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke and Managing Director Ella Wrenn. Plans for the renovation include increased capacity for new education studios, expansion for scene and costume shops and a rooftop event space. Parents will also be able to enjoy a new space to congregate while their children rehearse or take a class and school trips to the shows will be easier with a new drop-off point next to the theater.
To see the show, tickets are $16 for adults and $11 for children. Every cast has Military Appreciation Nights from Dec. 10–13.
Performances run from Dec. 7 through Dec. 22, with 7:30 p.m. performances Tuesday through Saturday, 6:30 p.m. performances on Sundays and 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, visit its website or call the box office at 910-323-4233. If you would like to purchase tickets in person at the theater box office, it is located at their new offsite office space at 310 Green St. from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. During performances, the box office will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, moving to the 1707 Owen Drive location starting at 5:30 p.m.
Editor’s note: Jami McLaughlin’s children are among the performers in one of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever casts.
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.
Jami McLaughlin is a freelance writer for CityView. She can be reached at jmclaughlin@cityviewnc.com or at 910-391-4870.
