Holiday play premieres Nov. 30
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

The Troup High School theater and elementary music departments are mounting a joint production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a funny and heart-warming stor y only a Scrooge wouldn't enjoy.

Based on a classic children's book, the story centers around a church's annual Christmas pageant and the events which seem destined to make it "the worst ever."

An accident sidelines the pageant's perennial organizer - a woman who knows exactly how everything should be done. With her out of commission, Grace Bradley finds herself being designated the last-minute replacement.

Complicating things further is the arrival of the Herdman children, an unruly bunch who have never heard the Christmas story and only come to the church because they've heard there are free refreshments.

When the Herdmans bully their way into the pageant's leading roles, the stage is set for a hectic and humorous battle of wills, as well as an opportunity for the audience to appreciate the true meaning of the Christmas story.

"Everybody really does a great job, and the Herdmans are really funny," said Melissa Freeman, THS theater instructor. "There are some really funny scenes between Mother (Grace Bradley) and Imogene Herdman who plays Mary."

Lexee Jones and Bethany Steen play rambunctious Herdman sisters Imogene and Gladys. At left, B.J. Rambo and Sarah Mendolia portray Bob and Grace Bradley, and Hank Freeman and Jaclyn Bender are their children, Charlie and Beth.

Heading up the high school cast are Sarah Mendolia and B.J. Rambo as Grace and Bob Bradley. Hank Freeman and Jaclyn Bender play their children, Charlie and Beth Bradley.

Starring as Imogene Herdman (who plays Mary in this play-within-a-play production) is Lexee Jones. Others playing Herdmans are Ethan Huckaby, Raymond Wavrusa, Landon Kidd, Kelby Lyon and Bethany Steen.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will be presented to the public on Thursday, Nov. 30 and Monday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Admission will be $4 for adults and $2 for students.

The cast and crew are also giving bonus performances for their classmates on Dec. 7 (elementary) and Dec. 8 (middle and high school), as well as a special free preview at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 28 for the Rotary Club and residents of Westwood Nursing Home.

All performances will be in the high school auditorium.

'THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER' CAST AND CREW
                                CAST
Father (Bob Bradley)                       B.J. Rambo
Mother (Grace Bradley)           Sarah Mendolia
Beth Bradley (Narrator)               Jaclyn Bender
Charlie Bradley                           Hank Freeman
Ralph Herdman                           Ethan Huckaby
Imogene Herdman                           Lexee Jones
Leroy Herdman                     Raymond Wavrusa
Claude Herdman                           Landon Kidd
Ollie Herdman                                   Kelby Lyon
Gladys Herdman                           Bethany Steen
Alice Wendleken                         Rebecca Garcia
Mrs. Armstrong                             Kayla Bright
Mrs. Slocum
Mrs. Clark                 Ashton Howard, Chelsea
Mrs. Clausing             Hartman, Cidni Steewart
Mrs. McCarthy
Elmer Hopkins                           Joshua Wavrusa
Hobie                                               J.J. Pittman
David                                       Mitchell Mullinix

Beverly                                       Rachel Sanford
Fireman                                             Ray Rhein
Shirley                                         Lindy Thomas
Juanita                                       Brinklee Driver
Doris                                           Barbie Womack
Reverend Hopkins                               John Ross
Extra Angel Choir Members/
Baby Angels, Shepherds             Caitlin Tomlin
                                                  Katherine Lacy
                                                  Tajnae Thomas
                          STAGE CREW
Stage Manager:                           Brent Stenberg
Tech Manager:                             Robert Berger
Crew:                                             Stormy Peery
                                                      Laney Ayres
                                                    Cidni Stewart
                                                  Jerrie Davidson
                                                        J.J. Pittman
                                                    Emily Renfroe