All auditions take place at our theater, the Prospect Park Auditorium located at 1584 34th Ave, Moline, IL. Please download and fill out the audition form to bring with you to your audition.

 

Audition Information for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical

Show Dates: December 5, 6, 7, 8

Please relax and have fun!  We will be very happy to see you and will do all we can to help you feel comfortable and welcome!

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! 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 Bradley 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.

 

Cast of Characters 

THE (‘Horrible’) HERDMAN KIDS:

Ralph – The oldest and coolest.  He’s the enforcer.

IMOGENE – Leader of the Herdman’s.  She’s loud, bossy and crafty.

LEROY – Ralph’s backup. Very confident in the muscle department.

CLAUDE – Scrappy and smart.

OLLIE – A bit of a naïve urchin who follows the older boys’ leads.

GLADYS – Little but fierce. Nothing scares Gladys.

 

THE BRADLEY FAMILY:

GRACE BRADLEY – Adult Female
Mother to Charlie and Beth.  Reluctant and unexpected ‘director’ of the Christmas Pageant. Sweet, good-humored, slightly frazzled mom.  (Mezzo)

BOB BRADLEY –Adult Male
Father to Charlie, Beth and husband to Grace. Easy-going dad, wry sense of humor.  (Baritone)

CHARLIE BRADLEY
Child role: Typical kid brother, says what he thinks.

BETH BRADLEY
Child role:  Charlie’s older and wiser sister. She’s honest and kind.

ADDITIONAL ROLES:

REVEREND HOPKINS –Adult Male
The town preacher and community leader.  Occasionally befuddled, always well-meaning. (Baritone/Tenor)

HELEN ARMSTRONG –Adult Female
Organized steamroller. She’s always in charge and was always the director of the Christmas Pageant, until an untimely accident lands her in the hospital.  (Alto/Mezzo)

LUANNE – Adult female
One of the trio of ‘Church Ladies’ – Sassy, tells it like it is. (Alto, mezzo or soprano)

BETTY – Adult female
One of the trio of ‘Church Ladies’ – Sweet southerner, calls everyone “honey.” (alto, mezzo or soprano)

CONNIE –Adult female
One of the trio of ‘Church Ladies’ – Direct, no-nonsense type.(alto, mezzo or soprano)

ALICE WENDLEKEN –Child role
Know-it-all. She thinks she’s perfect.

ELMER HOPKINS –Child role
Preacher’s kid, which means he needs to behave and be nice?

TEDDY SHOEMAKER –Child role
Wimpy kid and asks way too many questions.

IVY REED –Child role
Beth’s earnest friend who is sometimes a goody-goody.

MRS. HOPKINS –Adult female
The Reverend’s wife and mother to Elmer.  (alto, mezzo or soprano)

HUSBANDS/DADS – We will be casting an additional 4 adult males as husbands/dads. (bass, baritone or tenor)

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGES

KIDS:  Minimum age for children to audition is 8 years old.  There is no maximum age for the children’s roles.  However, children should appear to be no older than middle school age.

ADULTS:  We choose not to specify ages for the adult roles, bearing in mind most adults cast will portray parents with younger children.

MUSIC – Please prepare up to 32 bars of any song you feel best shows off your talents and range. Songs from the show are welcome.  Please bring your own sheet music, no recordings, please.

DANCE – You will be taught a simple dance at auditions. Please don’t let that keep you from auditioning! Christmas Pageant is not a heavy dance show, but we will want everyone to be comfortable with staged movements.  Dress comfortably and relax!

REHEARSALS – Rehearsals will begin on or about October 14th and will typically be Monday-Friday evenings, from 6/6:30-8:30/9:00.

QUESTIONS? – Feel free to contact Kevin Pieper or any member of the directing team at boxoffice@qcmusicguild.com.