From The Director
I am very happy to direct The Best Christmas Pageant Ever once again for The Village Players. This book and play get to the heart of the Christmas spirit in a humorous and touching manner. We have all known kids like the Herdmans. I think my brothers and I may have been the Herdmans in our neighborhood. They
are those kids who are a little rough and tumble and who depend on each other to survive. They are those kids who surprise us when they reach for the stars and make it. They are those kids who need our kindness and compassion more than most. At this wonderful time of year, let’s remember to help and support the most vulnerable among us, even if they did burn down Fred Schomacher’s old tool shed and took over the Christmas pageant. Let our kindness and compassion shine as brightly as the lights on our trees!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hey, unto you a child is born!
Kathleen
Cast List (In Order of Appearance)
Beth Bradley – Hannah Long
Charlie Bradley – Russell Carbone
Father (Bob Bradley) – Jeremy Hardin
Mother (Grace Bradley) – Sharon Long
Mrs. Slocum – Rebecca Hardin
Mrs. Johnson – Susan Mckenna
Mrs. Clark – Helen Rautenberg
Mrs. Clausing – Alexandra Bradford
Mrs. McCarthy – Samantha Marbury
Mrs. Armstrong – Lee Kennedy
Leroy Herdman – Olivia Marbury
Imogene Herdman – Laura Mckenna
Alice Wendelken – Josephine Hamilton
David – Gage Marbury
Elmer Hopkins – Peter Reese
Maxine – Cecilia Hamilton
Beverly – Charlotte Hamilton
Gladys Herdman – Moira Leavitt-Carlson
Ralph Herdman – Norah Heinemeyer
Ollie Herdman – Justus Marbury
Claude Herdman – Anna Reese
Hobie Carmicheal – Maria Reese
Shirley – Lyra Hardin
Juanita – Bayleigh Devolve
Doris – Aurora Light
Firefighters – Joshua Spaulding, Bob Tuttle
Reverend Hopkins – Ryan Devolve
Crew & Production
Director– Kathleen Hill
Assistant Director – Alexandra Bradford
Producer – Stefanie Marsh
Piano Accompanist – Julie Carbone
Stage Manager – Joshua Spaulding
Stage Crew – Liam Frager, Bob Tuttle
Set Design – Bob Tuttle
Set Construction – Mike Babylon, Russ Ellis, Kaylin Gagne, Keith Lion
Jim Reilly, Joshua Spaulding, Jay Sydow, Marty Williams
Costume Design – Stefanie Marsh
Costume Crew – Lee Kennedy, Moira Leavitt-Carlson
Props – Delina Bickford
Poster Illustration – Mary Foedermair
Lights and Sound – Matthew Johnson
Program – Carol Bense, Kimmi Canney
House Managers – Cheryl Martin, Kali Martin
Publicity -Stefanie Marsh, Joshua Spaulding
Tickets – Carol Bense
Banner – Jerome Holden
Meet Our Cast and Crew
Alexandra Bradford
Mrs. Clausing
Alexandra is pleased to be working with The Village Players for the first time. However, she is no stranger to the stage. Alexandra is proud to have been a part of many wonderful productions since the age of 14. Her most favorite role has been Truvy in Steel Magnolias (twice). When not on the stage or behind the scenes Alexandra enjoys spending time with her four grown children and her dog Ellie. She loves to hike, kayak and take fun drives in her Jeep. Alexandra would like to give a huge shout out to director Kathleen Hill for giving her the opportunity to assist her in directing this wonderful show.
~The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.
Russell Carbone
Charlie Bradley
Russell is a 4th grade student at Crescent Lake School. When he’s not on the stage, he enjoys playing the drums, drawing, playing basketball, and drinking tonic water. Previous roles include Phineas Trout (Willy Wonka) and Randolph McAfee (Bye Bye Birdie). He is thrilled to be in this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Bayleigh Devolve
Juanita
Bayleigh is 10 years old and attends 5th grade at Crescent Lake School. Her first play was Oliver!, where she was an orphan and pick pocket. During that play, she was bit by the acting bug, and hopes to be a Broadway star one day. When she’s not participating at village players she’s doing drama club at school, making art and playing with her kitties.
Ryan Devolve
Reverend Hopkins
Ryan has a natural urge to entertain, usually through music or comedy, he has recently rediscovered the joy of acting on stage. After an over 20 year hiatus, he returned to the stage in The Village Players production of Wit earlier this year. He is excited to be acting along side his daughter Bayleigh in this show!
Liam Frager
Set Construction
Liam is a composer, musician, and software developer. When not on stage, Liam enjoys making music, cleaning, and spending time with his family. His favorite composer is Stephen Sondheim, and he is very excited to music direct Sweeney Todd for The Village Players next fall. Liam thanks his wife for being the best gal ever.
Cecilia Hamilton
Maxine
Cecilia is in tenth grade and homeschooled. Besides acting, Cecilia likes to tap dance, sing, and mountain bike. Her previous role was a tap dancer/Deborah Sue (Bye Bye Birdie). She thanks her mom for her support and great advice.
Charlotte Hamilton
Beverly
Charlotte is in middle school, and loves to dance and sing. her favorite books are Lord of The Rings, and one of her favorite movies is Narnia. Her favorite hobby is reading. she thanks her mom for supporting her in everything she does.
Josephine Hamilton
Alice Wendelken
Josephine is a freshman in high school, and enjoys making art of all kinds, her favorite form of art is dance and painting. She also loves writing books that range from fantasy to realistic fiction, and she writes poetry of all kinds. If she is not painting or writing, she is reading. Her favorite books are The Gift of Fear and To Kill a Mockingbird. And she thanks her mom for helping her find what she loves most.
Jeremy Hardin
Father (Bob Bradley)
Jeremy works as Superintendent of Supply Chain for a global automobile parts manufacturing company. This is his first appearance on stage in over 35 years and is very excited to be working with so many amazing thespians. In his off time he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, playing his handpan (hang drum) and working with his hands. Jeremy would like to thank his family for their encouragement and support as they step on stage together.
Lyra Hardin
Shirley
Lyra is a home-schooled 8th grader. When she’s not doing the play or school, in her free time, she enjoys writing and drawing. One of her favorite things to write about is mostly apocalypse type story’s with quite a bit of thrill in them. Lyra would like to thank her mother for helping her try new things like the play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Rebecca Hardin
Mrs. Slocum
Rebecca is a homeschool mom and a mother to five children. This is Rebecca’s first stage performance since high school, and she has loved every moment of it. When she is not on stage, Rebecca enjoys spending time in nature, volunteering in her community, reading, and traveling wherever the wind takes her in her family’s self-converted van named “Stellar”. Rebecca would like to thank her daughter, Lyra, and husband Jeremy, for always being up for any and all crazy new adventures, which includes saying “Yes” to auditioning for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!
Norah Heinemeyer
Ralph Herdman
Norah is a homeschooled eighth grader who loves reading, acting, writing and snowboarding. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is her first real experience in theater, and it’s been a blast! She thanks her friends and family for all their support.
Lee Kennedy
Mrs. Armstrong
Lee is a retired substitute teacher, and relatively new to the Lakes Region.
She has enjoyed working with the Village Players in her previous roles of Reporter and Flo (The Santa Claus Chronicles) and the Sergeant (Wyrd Sisters).
She enjoys snowshoeing, volunteering with her church,
and learning about local history.
Lee is grateful to her husband who kept “encouraging“ (nagging) her to try out for her first play with the Village Players.
Moira Leavitt-Carlson
Gladys Herdman
Moira is a fifth grader at Tuftonboro Central School. She became hooked on theater in third grade, during her school’s holiday play. She has participated in two summers of Kingswood Children’s Summer Theater (as Tad in Finding Nemo, Jr. and as Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Jr.) and in the Village Players’ Production of Oliver! When she grows up, Moira wants to be an actress, a farmer, and the first female player on the Boston Red Sox, although not necessarily in that order.
Aurora Light
Doris
Aurora brings 10 years of life experience to this, her very first role on the Village Players Stage. She is an accomplished award winning baker, a master miniature diorama artist, and a veteran of the Wolfeboro softball scene. Most weekdays she sunlights as a 5th grader at Crescent Lake School, where she enjoys exploring topics in science, history, and art. Aurora wishes to thank her parents for encouraging her in this new endeavor, and her sister Romy for helping her with her line.
Hannah Long
Beth Bradley
Hannah is very excited to be playing Beth Bradley in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She loves acting and has been in several plays including playing Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Le Beau in As You Like It. When not on stage, Hannah can be found reading Shakespeare, horseback riding, ballroom dancing, and hanging out with her dog, Vespa. She is very excited for this performance to be put together in the holiday season.
Sharon Long
Mother (Grace Bradley)
Sharon is excited to make her debut in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as Grace Bradley. Sharon grew up watching the original movie in 1983 (!) and is excited to be on stage with her daughter, Hannah, in this production. She enjoys cooking, traveling with her family, and playing with her dogs. Sharon would like to thank her family for running lines with her over…and over…and…
Gage Marbury
David
Gage is an 8-year-old young man who likes to build masterpieces with Legos, build forts, and play piano when he has free time. He has two sisters and a brother, and studies from home with his awesome family.
Justus Marbury
Ollie Herdman
Justus is 10 years old, and he is excited to participate in his first theatrical performance. He enjoys trying new things, listening to music, making music and singing, building forts, playing video games, and spending time with friends. He is looking forward to skiing this winter, which is a change from snowboarding, and looks forward to going to camp this summer.
Olivia Marbury
Leroy Herdman
Olivia is 12 years old, and this is her first theatrical performance. When not rehearsing, she is working hard on her schoolwork, baking, delicious things in the kitchen, horseback riding, crafting, and skiing.
Samantha Marbury
Mrs. McCarthy
Samantha is a forty-something homeschool mom of 4 awesome kids, wife to Aaron, and a pharmacist on the side. She loves learning and trying new things. This is her first adventure in acting, which she got involved in because she loves the book that this play is based on. The story illustrates how Jesus can change the hearts of all people, whether you’re a church lady church lady or a Herdman, and all are valuable to him!
Stefanie Marsh
Producer/Costume Design
Stef loves being involved in the Village Players whether on or off stage. She often heads up costuming for shows and hopes to make cast members feel good about their outfits while dazzling the audience. She most recently appeared on stage in minor roles in Wit and Wyrd Sisters. She wants to tell anyone thinking about auditioning for a show, working backstage, ushering, building the set, or making costumes–Join us! You’ll love it!
Laura McKenna
Imogene Herdman
Laura is ecstatic to be performing in this wonderful production for a second time! When not performing she spends her time with her beloved pets! She thanks her mom for helping her rehearse her lines.
Susan Mckenna
Mrs. Johnson
Susan spends most of her time taking care of her farm animals and homeschooling. This is Susan’s first time being in a play. She’d like to thank her daughter Laura for encouraging her to join the cast!
Helen Rautenberg
Mrs. Clark
Helen has been involved with the Village Players since 1981. She has enjoyed all aspects of the theater- singing, dancing, acting, directing, producing, makeup /hairstyling, and ushering. This show is especially important because she loves to keep Christ in Christmas.
Anna Reese
Claude Herdman
Anna is an awesome person and wonderful eighth grade homeschool student. She loves drawing, singing, designing clothes, playing violin and acting! Her favorite color is to be determined. She has been in countless other plays and has loved theatre since she was little. Anna is very excited to be in this production; she has already made many new friends and loves every bit of it so far! She wants to thank friends for inviting her to join the Village Players.
Maria Reese
Hobie Carmichael
Maria is nine years old and in the fourth grade as a homeschool student. She has participated in two other theater groups in the past three years. This is her first role with a speaking part! When not acting, she likes to ride her bike, draw and take her dog on walks. Maria thanks her brother and sister for encouraging her to participate in this production.
Peter Reese
Elmer Hopkins
Peter plays piano, bakes, reads, and is excited to begin to learn to drive! He has been in many theater productions in the past 10 years. His favorite role was playing Oliver in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, two years ago. Peter has had fun working with this group of actors with the Village Players for the past few weeks and is looking forward to being part of the finished production.
Joshua Spaulding
Firefighter/Stage Manager/Set Construction/Publicity
Josh has been around the Village Players for the last 15 years, mostly working behind the scenes as stage crew, stage manager, producer and assistant director. He has also occasionally scarred audiences by appearing on stage in different roles and is happy to don the firefighter gear after six years.