'Best Christmas Pageant Ever' gets to the heart of the holiday
MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer
11/21/2004
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page H8 of Arts

This is the 18th year for Clark Theater to produce "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," as much a holiday tradition for the young people who have appeared at Clark for years as are trimming the tree and opening gifts. The children excitedly talk about the show, eager to explain what characters they've played in the past and what role they're portraying this year. It's a unique situation in that many of these youths know their friends' lines as well as their own. "The show is very important to us because it always brings everybody back together," said Rebecca Sparks, 13. "Many people pick one show a year to do, and many of them pick this show because they know they're going to see close friends.

(Sitting) Reye McAtee with (from left) Lindsay Cunningham, Maggie Hejtmanek, Caroline Moore can’t believe the chaos surrounding “Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World

"It also brings in new people each year. We're a family here at Clark, and that just makes our family stronger."

Speaking of family, the play has featured several sets of siblings. Many children in the Iannazzo family have grown up on the Clark Theatre stage, finding the spirit of the season there annually.

"My mom cries every year because she loves seeing us on stage. When she cries, that means she's happy," said Katie Iannazzo, 11, who appears this year with her 8-year-old brother, Vincent. Her 18-year-old brother and 15-year-old sister previously appeared in the play.

"I've been doing the play since 2000, and I still do it because I love it. The show makes me feel good because I make some great memories," Katie said. "This is Vincent's third time. He's younger and he needs a little help, so my being in it, I can help him."

For those unfamiliar with Barbara Robinson's beloved book, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" introduces the Herdmans, "the worst kids in school," youths who terrorize a neighborhood, set fires for fun and smoke cigars.

In the play, the Herdmans threaten other boys and girls and take the lead roles in a church's annual holiday pageant. It's the Herdmans' first contact with a religious institution, and they have no real interest in its divine purpose.

But they've heard they can get the best snacks and refreshments there if they just show up. With their arrival, hilarity ensues for director Julie Tattershall's cast of more than 20 that ranges in age from 6 to 17.

The Herdman kids don't know the story of Christ's birth and its significance, but their onstage interpretation of the events in Bethlehem opens the eyes of those in attendance to possibly some new, deeper meaning of the traditional Christmas story.

It's a belief the actors have come to embrace, said Tabitha Littlefield, 11.

"I enjoy how the Herdmans act so tough, and then they come to understand more about Jesus and the Christmas story. Most everyone starts out being wrong, and then they end up being good. I like that," Tabitha said.

"The storyline is just so cute and so fascinating and so wonderful that everyone wants to do it and everyone wants to see it. We usually have it (the theater) all filled up."

Reye McAtee, 15, says she made a personal connection with the play, and it ended up teaching her a life lesson.

"Before I read the book or saw the play, I was like the good kids in the play, having this perfect image of the Nativity," said McAtee, a lighting technician last year and now a performer. "Then the Herdmans come in and they change the entire play, and these kids are totally unexpected to make a difference in a good way. But what they do is come in and they make the pageant the best it's ever been. I love that about the story."

It's a story that audiences have been fond of for 18 years now at CLARK THEATER, which explains why show tickets are selling fast, with many groups booked to attend the play.

The show's cast also includes Sean Harris, Clayton Bradshaw, Caitrin Sneed, Roxanne Dominick, Maggie Hejtmanek, Caroline Moore, Lindsay Cunningham, Josh Esau, Michael Cardoso, Addison Holder, Brie Burnett, Hannah Littlefield, Sarah McCallion, Deanna Mancino, Nathan Robertson, Tierra Thompson, Patton Gandall and Araya Harris.

Michael Smith 581-8334
michael.smith@tulsaworld.com