First Baptist Newport News & Denbigh United Presbyterian are joining together to present:
A COMEDY,
BASED ON THE HIT BOOK BY BARBARA ROBINSON
First Baptist Church Newport News
12716 Warwick Blvd
FREE ADMISSION
FRIDAY
Dec. 4, 2026
7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Dec. 5, 2026
3 p.m.
CAST
CHILDREN
Beth Bradley: Emily Phillips
Charlie Bradley: Huntington Conner
Alice Wendleken: Laila Seabron
Ralph Herdman: Richie Jackson
Imogene Herdman: Kaye Fallejo
Leroy Herdman: Atreyu Jackson
Claude Herdman: Kwin Hake
Ollie Herdman: Canon Agett
Gladys Herdman: Hazel Clayton
Elmer Hopkins: Mark Pavlavich
Hobie Clark: Eli Shildt
David: Leo Tran
Joe: Douglas Tran
Maxine: Liberty Davis
Viola: Liz Holguin
Janet: Gabriella Mboni
Ivy: Jasmine Woolum
Shirley: Kaitlyn Macintosh
Debbie: Grace Uma
Beverly: Ocean Jackson
Rosalie: Lennox Seabron
Baby Angels: Kenzington Conner, Haddington Conner, Elliana Nyenty, Leilani Nyenty, Amelia Nyenty, Emma Villanueva, Mae Seabron, Ava Lee, Ginger Jackson
Shepherd Boy: Kyan Holguin
ADULTS
Grace Bradley: Melissa James
Bob Bradley: Randy Shepley
Helen Armstrong: Kristi Spivey
Irma Slocum: Lakisha Seabron
Edna McCarthy: Tracy Houston
Reverend Hopkins: TBD
Mrs. Clark: Rachel Phillips
Mrs. Clausing: Rylee Rucker
Fireman 1: Preston James
Fireman 2: TBD
Piano Accompanist: Donna McDonough
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CREW
Sound: Chris Johnson
Lights: Preston James, TBD
Stage Hands: TBD
Backstage: Rylee Rucker, Audrey James, Sabrina Cole
LEADERSHIP
DIRECTOR
Melissa James
Denbigh United Presbyterian
TECH DIRECTOR
John McDonough
First Baptist Newport News
STAGE MANAGER
Rachel Phillips
Denbigh United Presbyterian
STORY SYNOPSIS
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" tells the story of the unruly Herdman kids, who bully their way into a church's Christmas pageant after showing up for the rumored free snacks at Sunday school. After shocking everyone with their behavior, their unconventional retelling of the Nativity story reminds the cast and congregation of the true meaning of Christmas in a surprisingly heartfelt way.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
This marks my 7th time being part of this incredible production (playing Alice in 1989, Beth in 1993, assistant director in 1995, and director in 2004, 2014 & 2019) Why so many times? I love how it brings together a multigenerational cast, with senior citizens down to the tiniest "baby angel" kids working as a team. I love teaching acting skills, especially for comedy, and watching kids enjoy the rush of making an audience laugh, and then cry, and leave with a Christian message in their hearts.
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The late Barbara Robinson wrote such a hilarious story with memorable characters, you can't help but fall in love with it. I was privileged to have her niece in a cameo role for my 2014 show!
1-MINUTE VIDEO PREVIEW
Melissa James directed the production below in 2014 , while also playing Grace Bradley.
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