(HARRISON, NJ) -- West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) presents six performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever from December 1-10, 2023. This delightful musical play, adapted from the bestselling Christmas book, is a holiday comedy classic! It centers around the efforts of Mrs. Bradley to put on the annual Christmas pageant despite the Herdman kids, who are known as the "worst kids in the whole history of the world."
Will the Christmas Pageant be a disaster? Watch as the kids & Mrs. Bradley navigate nosy church ladies, judgmental choir members, an unusually loud angel, the Virgin Mary smoking cigars in the ladies' room, rough 'n' rowdy Wisemen, and more, all while they try to put on the BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!
The production is Directed by Francesca Stokes, with Musical Direction by Scott Burzynski. The cast includes Iman Abdul (Mother – Grace Bradley); Arthur Carlson (Faither – Bob Bradley); Donna Fraissinet (Mrs. Helen Armstrong); Richard Dwyer (Reverend Hopkins – Weekend 1); Fr. Joseph Mancini (Reverend Hopkins – Weekend 2); Anne Hennessy (Mrs. Irma Slocum); Kathy Grillo (Mrs. Edna McCarthy); Sandra Marmalejos (Mrs. Clark); Brandi-Leigh Miller (Mrs. Clausing); John Patrick Munley (Firefighter); Lucas Oberndorf (Firefighter); John Fraissinet (Firefighter).
Children’s cast includes Jenna Ramirez (Beth Bradley); Kevin Dougherty (Charlie Bradley); Genevieve Lambo (Alice Wendleken); Margaret Kelly (Imogene Herdman); Aidan Carlson (Leroy Herdman); Beatrix Hart (Gladys Herdman); Camila Marmalejos (Maxine); Santana Velez (Elmer Hopkins); Sean Vinacco (Ralph Herdman); Omarion Hawkins (Hobie Clark); Declan Nolan (Ollie Herdman); Myles Morales (Claude Herdman); Riley Bennett (Janet); Bianca Marcelino (Juanita); Lucia Marmalejos (Shirley); and Isabela DeCampos (Beverly.)
Performances take place at The Theater at WHATCo, 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South (the former Holy Cross High School) in Harrison, New Jersey. Performance dates are December 1, 2, 8, 9 @ 7:30pm | December 3 & 10 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.
West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) seeks to be a cultural resource that will enrich and invigorate the West Hudson community as a whole while embracing, educating and entertaining people of all ages, cultures and abilities. Through a range of quality theatrical productions, they seek to stimulate, celebrate and enhance the understanding of theater while fostering and inspiring growth and creativity in their members. They strive to be a resource for both the residents and businesses of the greater West Hudson area and to enrich the cultural depth, education and vitality of the community at large.
