Christmas comedy at Mystic Theater

RUMFORD -- "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will be presented at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14-15, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 at 49 Franklin's Mystic Theater.

Doors will open one hour before showtime. Holiday treats will be availible for purchase.

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, cheat, smoke cigars, swear and hit little kids.

So everyone is surprised when this outlaw family invade church one Sunday and decide to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdman's has ever heard the Christmas story before! Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies, Mary picked the wrong name for baby Jesus and Herod needs a good beating, has a lot of people up in arms. It will certainly make for a very unusual Christmas pageant, but quite possibly, the best one ever!

Paper Moon Players presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever a hilarious and heartwarming holiday classic based on Barbara Robinson's popular series of children 's books, which was turned into a television Christmas special starring Loretta Switt and Fairuza Balk.

Headlining this stage version is Margaret Donaghue as Grace Bradley, who was last seen in the players The Odd Couple. Adult roles in the cast feature Scott Owings, Jennifer Foster, Jan Peaslee, Tanya Vaughn, Jennifer LeDuc and Randy Holman.

Director Keith A. Grassette and assistant Melissa Fallon have also cast many area school children, led by Jillian Conant, Trent Holman, Gina Kubesh, Jacob Sinclair, Virginia Owings, Sean Gould, Ben Duguay, Logan Danger Von Cote, and Lily True.

Other young performers include, Casey Saisi, Thomas Parlin, Jacob True, Paige Landry, Jade Kubic, Amara Aiken, Ellie LeDuc, Alice LeDuc, Lily Duguay, Erin Landry, Emily Buono and Alana Gotto.

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at All That Jazz and Bartash's on Congress Street in Rumford. 49 Franklin's Mystic Theater is located at 49 Franklin St. For more information, call 369-0129 or go to www.49franklin.com.