Starlighters prepares for holiday show


Starlighters II Theatre will bring “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” to the stage Dec. 6-8 and 13-15. Several locals faces will appear on stage for the performance that concludes Starlighters’ 45th season. (Photo by Kim Brooks)

Starlighters II Theatre in Anamosa is gearing up for the holidays with its final production of the 2019 season: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” 

This is the story of a typical played-out Christmas pageant turned on its ear when five of the worst behaved children in the town show up to church for treats and decide they want to be IN the pageant. 

Beth Bradley’s church’s Christmas pageant is predictable every year – hardly “four-star entertainment.” But when the usual pageant director Mrs. Armstrong breaks her leg, it is up to Beth’s inexperienced mother, Grace, to step in. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the Herdman children, a rough and tough group of siblings from the wrong side of the tracks, descend upon the pageant, lured by the promise of free dessert at Sunday School, and determined to win all the lead roles for themselves. All the shepherds quit because Gladys Herdman “hits too hard,” the show is briefly re-titled “Revenge at Bethlehem,” and the church catches on fire. But Beth and her community watch in surprise as the same old Christmas story is rejuvenated by the creativity, energy, and unexpected sincerity of a misunderstood young family. 

This production is directed by Victoria Wims, assisted by Dawn Marek. 

The cast includes: 

• Bob Bradley – Ben Williams 

• Grace Bradley – Dusty Embree 

• Beth Bradley – Emily Meyes 

• Charlie Bradley – Griffin Embree 

• Mrs. Armstrong – Dawn Marek 

• Mrs. Slocum – Nancy Collell 

• Mrs. Clark – Jan Legg 

• Mrs. Clausing – Karen Fisher 

• Mrs. McCarthy – Carrie Seeley 

• Ralph Herdman – Andrew Green 

• Imogene Herdman – Koryn Killerby 

• Leroy Herman – Nicholas Hansen 

• Claude Herdman – Aiden Markley 

• Ollie Herdman – Kaitlyn Markley 

• Gladys Herdman – Hadley Embree 

• Alice Wendleken – Kendall Siebels 

• Maxine – Hailey Ott 

• Elmer Hopkins – Elijah Secrist 

• Hobie – Brody Conmey 

• David – Zachary Prentice 

Angel Choir: 

• Beverly – Gabbie Wiese 

• Shirley – Destiny Wall 

• Juanita – Audrey Zoller 

• Doris – Lainey Hopkins 

• Baby Angels – Kinsley Hamblin, Camden Embree 

Shepherd Choir: 

• Rachel – Nayomi Letsch 

• Sarah – Daylor Miller 

• Firemen – Colin Heeren, Dennis Heeren, Robbie Holmes 

• Rev. Hopkins – Donald Hansen 

• Choir members – Melody Norton, Robbie Holmes 

• Soloist – Carrie Seeley 

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will hit the Starlighters’ stage Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15. Tickets are available through the box office by calling 319-462- 4793 or by visiting https:// www.starlighters.org/. 

Category:

Subscriber Login