Morrison Music Theater Association (MMTA) will reprise one of its most enthusiastic performances from 1993, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Thirty years later, Director Jalayne Riewerts again will serve as Director of this delightful family comedy, based on the best-selling book by Barbara Robinson.
Riewerts stressed, “The script firmly adheres to the book. People can borrow the script from Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. The presentation will be in the style of a 1940s Radio Show, on stage at Morrison Tech, 701 Portland Avenue, Morrison.
“Three performances will be Friday, December 1, through Sunday, December 3, 2023, in conjunction with the Morrison Christmas Walk. RKR & Associates Landscape Nursery is sponsor of the performances.”
This month, two Auditions will be held in Morrison, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 301 E. South Street:
Thursday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 27, anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Characters to be cast are listed and described.
FATHER [Bob Bradley] — solid family man, 30+years
MOTHER [Grace] — solid family woman, 30+ years
BETH BRADLEY — the Narrator, strong voice and presence, 11ish years
CHARLIE BRADLEY — traditional kid brother, 9ish years
RALPH HERDMAN — ragged, scroungy, slouching manner, touch of adolescent cool, 14ish
IMOGENE HERDMAN — loud, bossy, crafty, 12ish years
LEROY HERDMAN — tough, sure of himself, 11ish years
CLAUDE HERDMAN — tough, combative, 10ish years
OLLIE HERDMAN — looking for trouble, Claude’s partner in crime, 9ish years
GLADYS HERDMAN — small, wiry, feisty, also LOUD, 8ish years
ALICE WENDLEKEN — prim, proper, pain in the neck, 11ish years
MAXINE — friend of Alice and Beth, 11ish years
ELMER HOPKINS — boy, 12-13ish years
HOBIE —boy combined with David, 9-10ish years
BEVERLY — combined girls, 8+ish years
MRS. ARMSTRONG — managerial in voice and manner, “runs things,” 50+years
MRS. McCARTHY —younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong, 40+years
MRS. CLARK — combined characters, motherly woman, 35+years
REVEREND HOPKINS — church pastor, 40+ years.
Contact Jalayne Riewerts at 815-778-3664 with any questions.
“The Best Christmast Pageant Ever” is produced by Special Arrangement with Concord Theatricals.