Directed by Alyssa Sparks, the play tells the story of a small town church Sunday School getting ready to put together its annual Christmas pageant. Pageant director Grace Bradley, played by Molly Nelson, is just about to assign parts – “remember, there are no small parts, only small actors” – when the rough-and-tumble Herdman kids burst into the class. All six of them.

“They are the naughty kids,” Sparks said. “They’re known for being naughty in the community.”

One of the Herdman kids hears that there are lots of snacks and refreshments at Sunday School.

“So then they start going for the snacks and they end up being in this Christmas pageant,” Sparks said. “And of course, all the moms are in a tizzy because these Herdman kids are going to wreck the whole thing.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
The Sunday School class tries to alert Grace Bradley, played by Molly Nelson, that the naughty Herdman kids have just arrived during a rehearsal for the Hawkeye Community Theatre's production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."

Instead, the Herdman kids get to hear the Nativity story for the first time and learn about the meaning of Christmas – and those moms learn to not judge a book by its cover.

“It starts out terrifying, and then in the end, it’s great,” Sparks said.

The show opens Thursday at 7 p.m.

Other performances will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

The Hawkeye Community Theatre and Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association will also be collecting hats and mittens to donate to local kids and adults in need. Donations can be dropped off at any of the showtimes.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Grace Bradley, played by Molly Nelson, rolls her eyes while Mrs. Armstrong, played by Megan Peterson, tries to micromanage the Sunday School pageant from her hospital room during a rehearsal of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at the Hawkeye Community Theatre.

Most of the cast of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” are kids and the show is perfect for the whole family, Sparks said.

“I think it’s just got a really good message,” she said.

The Hawkeye Community Theatre’s production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” features a large cast of kids.

The show runs nightly at 7 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 9, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 9.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door

Cast list

Father (Bob Bradley) – Ted R. Scoggin

Mother (Grace Bradley) – Molly Nelson

Beth Bradley – Norah Lane

Charlie Bradley – Ted A. Scoggin

Ralph Herdman – David Petersen

Imogene Herdman – Matilda Breeser

Leroy Herdman – Dawson Sandahl

Claude Herdman – Declan Lundgren

Ollie Herdman – Caleb Lundgren

Gladys Herdman – Kylie Peterson

Alice Wendleken – Izzy Stickrod

Mrs. Armstrong – Megan Peterson

Mrs. Slocum – Beth Stickrod

Mrs. Clark – Toni Schreier

Mrs. Causing- Amanda Peart

Mrs. McCarthy – Alicia Scoggin

Alma Hopkins – Aleyna Robinson

Maxine – Brooklynn Fuller

Hobie – Easton Anderson

David – Silas Gall

Beverly – Jayda Seca

Fireman – Hayley Studyvin

Shirley – Elya Petersen

Juanita – Etta Petersen

Doris – Grace Lyon

Reverend Hopkins – John Metier

Shepherds – Owen Peart, Blake Peterson

Directed by Alyssa Sparks