The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson has been around since the early 1970s and has been performed by countless elementary, middle, and high schools, church groups and community theaters. The first stage production was by the Seattle Children's Theatre in 1982 and a TV version starring Loretta Swit followed in 1983. It portrays the six Herdman children and the mayhem that follows after they attend Sunday school for the first time in search of refreshments. They end up with the lead roles in the Christmas pageant even though they have no understanding of the Christmas Story.

When I headed to Lakewood Playhouse, I was so affected by the horrific event in Newtown, Conn. I wasn't prepared to laugh and I definitely wasn't in the Christmas spirit. I duly sat in my seat in the packed auditorium and took in the appropriately sparse set. The floor was painted green and red argyle and evoked images of holiday sweaters. The show opened up with Beth Bradley (Katherine Dunkelberger) narrating. The actors portraying the Bradley family were good and it was refreshing to see a blended family like many in society. 

A couple of the adult actors were a little over the top for my taste but were mainly met with chuckles from the audience. There was laughter throughout and whenever the Herdmans entered, I found myself distracted from the sadness of current events. All the young members of the cast created many bittersweet moments as they alternately sang carols and engaged in slapstick, and portrayed the child of every parent. 

Alexis Collins' portrayal of Imogene Herdman was wonderful as she discovered the meaning of the Christ and brought such tenderness to Mary. To be able to feel what the new mother might have felt, the worry and awe that every new parent feels while at the same time understanding that this child was different, not just because he was her son but because he was the promised Son and destined to be more than just her child. Ms. Collins beautifully showed Mary's sorrow and fear of knowing her baby, her son, was in danger and the fear of the loss that no parent wishes to experience combined with the overwhelming emotions and understanding of first faith.  

Whether or not you believe in the Judeo-Christian account of Jesus or hold any religious meaning to Christmas, Lakewood Playhouse's production holds the promise that many are seeking and hope to find. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever gives the promise of redemption, of Grace Bradley and the Herdmans' version of the Christmas pageant, of the Herdmans, and of the redemption of humankind. Many look to the holiday season as a time of loving others or a time to focus on the hope of redemption that Christ brings. This lighthearted play delivered poignancy as well as laughter in the midst of a somber weekend. 

LAKEWOOD PLAYHOUSE, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, THROUGH DEC. 24, 8 P.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 2 P.M. SUNDAY, $18-$24, 5729 LAKEWOOD TOWNE CENTER BLVD. SW, LAKEWOOD, 253.588.0042