FORT RUCKER, Ala. (December 1, 2011) -- Fort Rucker's Above the Best Theater Company will perform the play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson Dec. 9 and 10 at the Spiritual Life Center.
More than 25 local actors will take part in the production, which is free to the Fort Rucker community. The show will start at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 and there will also be a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 10. Seating is limited and the doors will open early.
In this comical Christmas play, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids -- probably the most inventively awful kids in history. People won't believe the mayhem -- and the fun - when the Herdmans collide with the traditional Christmas story head on.
"This isn't a typical school or church Christmas show," said Alan Moore, the show's director. "This is a full blown theatrical production. We're happy to offer the community a live theater experience for free."
Above the Best Theater Company decided to perform this Christmas play last summer after a successful performance of "The Wiz of The West" at the post theater. That production, which featured Fort Rucker children, was part of a workshop sponsored by the Missoula Children's Theatre.
"I saw some very talented kids in that production," said Moore. "We knew instantly we had to get these young actors involved in our community theater group. So this Christmas play is a fantastic story to showcase our child actors."
More than half of the actors in this play are under age 16. They have been through a rigorous audition and rehearsal phase, which began back in September, said Moore. During rehearsals, the actors were given some acting and singing lessons to help them prepare, said Debbie Bauer, the show's musical director.
"I am just thrilled with the young cast we have assembled," said Moore. "They have worked very hard on the show and they are so excited to perform it. It's been a huge commitment of time and effort on their part, and we are so proud of each of them."
Theater tickets, which typically cost $10 to $20, are not required to see this show -- thanks to the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the Fort Rucker Chaplains Office. The play is funded in part by the Army Entertainment Division.
"This has truly been a community effort to make this show happen," said Moore. "We've had so much support, especially from the BOSS program and the post chaplains office, youth services and DFMWR."
For more information, call 255-9810.
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