The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
Schedule
Sun Dec 14 2025 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
111 S Market St, Benton, AR, United States, Arkansas 72015 | Benton, AR
Celebrate the season at the Historic Royal Theatre as The Royal Players present The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical. It will run December 4th-7th and 11th-14th. This hysterically funny and heartwarming musical is based on the play by Barbara Robinson, book and Lyrics by Jahnna Beecham and music and lyrics by Malcom Hillgartner. The production is sponsored by Everett Buick GMC.All Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances (December 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, and 13th) will begin at 7:00pm. Sunday matinees (December 7th and 14th) will begin at 2:00pm.
Ticket prices are: $18 general admission; $15 for seniors age 60+, college students, and members of the military; $8 for 12th grade and younger.
For online ticket sales, go to https://onthestage.tickets/the-royal-theatre. For more information email [email protected].
For accessible or special needs seating, email [email protected] or call 501-315-5483 (voice mail only).
The box office will open at 6:00pm on performance dates and the house will open approximately 15 - 20 minutes prior to curtain. Box Office opens at 1:00 pm on matinee days.
We highly recommend that tickets be purchased in advance, as we cannot guarantee availability at the door.
During our show run, we invite you to join our themed nights for our show:
Thursday (12/4): Ugly Christmas Sweater Night (Wear your Ugly Christmas Sweater)
Friday (12/5): Letters to Santa Night (Write a Letter to Santa, bring it to the show & we will mail it for you)
Saturday (12/6): Pajama Party Night (Wear your Christmas Pajamas and cozy up for a night at the Theater)
Sunday (12/7): Candy Cane Lane (Wear your red and white and get a cute Candy Cane at the door)
Thursday (12/11): Christmas Hat Night (Wear a festive Christmas Hat to the show)
Friday (12/12): Letters to Santa Night (Write a Letter to Santa, bring it to the show & we will mail it for you)
Saturday (12/13): Holiday Movie Night (Meet Buddy the Elf)
Sunday (12/14): Flannel (Wear your best flannel and help celebrate our Closing Day)
SYNOPSIS
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world–so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon, everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic.
CREATIVE TEAM
Based on the Play by: Barbara Robinson
Books and Lyrics: Jahnna Beecham
Music and Lyrics: Malcolm Hillgartner
Director: Matthew Burns
Musical Director: Lexie Ellis
Choreographer: Jillian Berry
Student Director: Brayden Armstrong
Student Choreographer: Haddie Hinson
Producers: Michelle Lobbs-Griffis and Susie Goldman
Stage Manager: Emma Boone
CAST
Italo Arevalo Ralph Herdman
Julie Wynne Zimmerebner Imogene Herdman
Korbin Beard Leroy Herdman
Jonah Wayne Claude Herdman
Robert Lindsey Ollie Herdman
Hayden Forga Gladys Herdman
Amanda Kennedy Grace Bradley
Zachary Tallent Bob Bradley
Jacob Lenzini Charlie Bradley
Dawson Claire Jones Beth Bradley
Holly Taylor Helen Armstrong
Ben Wright Reverend Hopkins
Allison Thornton Luanne
Angela Fairley Betty
Liz Holman Connie
Faith Jeffries Alice Wendleken
Beckett Beard Elmer Hopkins
Marshall Taylor Teddy Shoemaker
Lucy Farmer Ivy Reed
Ensemble:
Caroline Hartsell, Logan McGrew, Grace Hartsell, Tenley Holland, Everett Barson, Avery Thornton, Skylar Fairley, Sawyer Sturgell, Maddox Easterly, Charlotte Holman, Violet Winters, Kami Lewis, Landry McGrew, Cambry Eakin, Destiny Jeffries, Callie Crow, Lucy Ray
501.315.5483 (Theatre - voice mail only)
Special thanks to the Benton A&P Commission for their support.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC. (www.broadwaylicensing.com)
Where is it happening?
111 S Market St, Benton, AR, United States, Arkansas 72015
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