Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Theatre for Young America

As a Kansas City native, I grew up attending Theatre for Young America's productions and have many fond childhood memories of their shows, my favorite being The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which the theater has produced almost annually for decades. Using the simplest of props, Theatre for Young America truly captivates the imagination of children with their creative storytelling.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is showing at Theatre for Young America, at home on Union Station's City Stage, thru Dec. 23. Prices: General Admission $12, Union Staton Members $10 Show Times: Tue - Thur 10 am, Fri 10 am & 12 pm, Sat 2 pm. The show is appropriate for all ages and runs just a bit over an hour.

The show introduces the audience to a small town where the local kids put on an annual church Christmas pageant. One local family, the Herdmans, is known for their lack of discipline and their rough exteriors as they create chaos throughout the community. The six Herdman kids are known for bullying other children, having bad manners, and inappropriate behavior including smoking cigars, stealing, and "cussing teachers." 

One day, Charlie Bradley inadvertently invites the Herdmans to Sunday School as he boasts that their church serves a delightful bevy of refreshments. As it turns out, the day they arrive at church is the day volunteers sign up for the annual pageant. The Herdmans bully their way into all the lead roles including Mary, Joseph, and the Angel.

Mrs. Bradley is new at directing the pageant (filling in for an injured Mrs. Armstrong) and soon finds she has her hands full as the Herdmans join the cast completely unfamiliar with the Biblical Christmas story. Determined to press on, Mrs. Bradley repeatedly declares - half assuring others and half trying to convince herself - that this year she would direct the BEST Christmas Pageant Ever... even with the unruly Herdmans in the show.

As Mrs. Bradley shares the story of Christmas with the cast, something special begins to happen. Gladys, the Angel, steals the show with her boisterous enthusiasm, "Unto US a Child is Born." And the audience is moved as Imogene, the former cigar-smoking, bullying, unladylike, Herdman teen portrays Mary and finds herself moved to tears. One of the brothers, portraying a Wiseman, feels strongly that Baby Jesus is not in need of frankincense and myrrh, but rather his own family's precious holiday ham from the welfare food pantry. 

Watching the transformation of the Herdman family in this seemingly unorthodox production, the audience is moved and realizes that this was in fact the Best Christmas Pageant Ever as the Herdmans' journey teaches the cast and the audience the true meaning of Christmas.

 Adapted by Barbara Robinson from her book of the same name, this story has been a favorite of young readers since 1972.

With a predominantly child/teen cast featuring talented local actors this show is a truly local production. This holiday season, Theatre for Young America brings the story to life on stage for Kansas City families. The heartwarming and hilarious tale is a delightful show with an endearing and timeless message making it a great show to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Tip: Read our guide to Christmas in the Crown Center & Union Station district for more tips on fun to enjoy in the area.