Harstine group stages comic Christmas play

The rowdy Herdman children have taken over the major roles in the annual holiday show in the comedy play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," staged by the Harstine Island Theater Club at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Harstine Island Community Club. Admission is free.

Pam Mueller directs the play. The show "is a funny play with an important reminder for the Christmas season: love is messy, unpredictable, challenging, creative and comes to us in mysterious ways," she said.

In the 1982 play by Barbara Robinson, based on her book, the unruly Herdman kids descend on the pageant, lured by the promise of free dessert at Sunday school. They take on the main roles, much to the disapproval of the Ladies' Aid Society. The shepherds quit because Gladys Herdman hits too hard. The show is briefly retitled "Revenge of Bethlehem."

But the community is stunned when the same old Christmas story is rejuvenated by the creativity, energy and unexpected sincerity of the misunderstood Herdman family.

The cast features 24 performers ages 4 to 74 from Shelton, Allyn, Grapeview and Tacoma. Some are stage veterans, and some are making their theatrical debut.

Garrett Bull plays the father of the Herdman clan, and Hannah Nelsen plays the mother. The Herdman kids are played by Ben Pierce, Becca Byykkomen, Rod Myers, Matthew Curtis, Koltan Torres and Sadie Pierce.

IF YOU GO:

WHO: Harstine Island Theater Club

WHAT: Play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Harstine Island Community Club

ADMISSION: Free