Digital playbill: THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER - THE MUSICAL
Book
by JAHNNA BEECHAM
by MALCOLM HILLGARTNER
BARBARA ROBINSON
Book and Lyrics by JAHNNA BEECHAM
Music and Lyrics by MALCOLM HILLGARTNER
Based on the play by BARBARA ROBINSON. Orchestrations and vocal arrangements by DEBORAH WICKS LaPUMA. Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc., www.playscripts.com and Broadway Licensing, www.broadwaylicensing.com. The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited. Performance and rehearsal musical tracks provided by Right On Cue Services, www.RightOnCueServices.com.
Producer
SCERA
Adam J. Robertson
President & CEO
Director
Kurt Elison
Music Director
Kathryn Laycock
Little
Choreographer
Robbie Cromwell
Stage Manager
Kelsey Seaver
Scenic Designer
Michael Carrasco
Costume Designer
Deborah Bowman
Scene Shop Manager
Ethan Harrison
Carpenters
Ethan Harrison
Maverik Higbee
Noah Ghent
Scenic Painters
Faith Sage
Madi Fontana
Emily Wiley
Stitchers
Kelsey Seaver
Deborah Bowman
Costume Shop Staff
Crysta Lamb
Costume Shop
Volunteer
Ryan Hadlock
Properties Designer
Prop Shop Manager
Opal Tolman
Props Assistants
Mable Evans
Palmyra Palmer
Lighting Designer
Audio Engineer
Master Electrician
Chase Elison
Electrician
Crysta Lamb
Deck Crew
Ethan Harrison
Sound Asst.
Katie Jeffreys
Followspot
Operator
Benjamin Wilson
Youth Performer Coordinator
Alathia Burnside
This project is supported by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Cast of Characters
Ralph Herdman..........................................................................................
I have always loved this story, and I’m thrilled to share with you the musical version of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The Herdman kids are iconic—wild, rough, rude, and undeniably unforgettable. Yet beneath the chaos they cause, their journey is a special one.
This is a story about unexpected grace. About what can happen when people we think we already understand surprise us. And about how the peace and love found in the birth of the Christ Child can reach even the most unlikely hearts.
As the Herdmans tumble their way into the local church’s christmas pageant, they—and all of us—discover something deeper, warmer, and more meaningful than anyone expected.
So please sit back, relax, and enjoy this funny, touching, and joy-filled holiday show.
Let There Be Joy .............................................................................................................. Full Cast
Cast & Staff Biographies
(in alphabetical order by last name)
LEWIS ANDERSON
(Charlie Bradley) Lewis is thrilled to be back on the SCERA stage! He has previously performed in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever twice with PG Players and played Young Shrek here at SCERA. Lewis enjoys being part of SCERA Youth Theatre, and when he isn’t acting, he loves playing soccer, swimming, creating art, and playing video games. He would like to thank the production team and his family for their support and encouragement!
MURPHY ANDERSON
(Elmer) Murphy is excited to be performing in his first mainstage production at SCERA! He also participates in SCERA Youth Theatre and has appeared twice in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with PG Players. When he’s not onstage, Murphy loves playing video games, kicking around a soccer ball, and getting lost in a good book. He is especially excited to be in this musical with his older brother, Lewis.
DEBORAH BOWMAN (Costume Designer)
Debbie started singing and acting when she was four years old and has enjoyed the stage ever since, and you've seen her singing in SCERA’s Night of Broadway concerts. Debbie feels blessed to have a high school hobby turn into her dream job these last 18 years working at the SCERA Costume Shop. She has costume designed many shows, with some favorites being Hello, Dolly, Les Mis
School Edition, Fiddler on the Roof, Big Fish, Oklahoma, The Play That Goes Wrong,The SpongeBob Musical, Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone, Matilda The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Newsies. But her favorite role to play is grandma to five beautiful grandbabies, mom to two great kids (and their spouses), and wife to her extremely supportive husband John!
ANGELA BRADFORD
(Helen) Making her SCERA debut, Angela feels blessed to share one of her favorite Christmas stories through one of her favorite art forms. By day, she is a professor of marriage and family therapy at BYU. By night, a wife to the best (and most supportive) husband on the block and mother to six incredible children—one of whom she gets to share this stage with! She thanks Ruth for helping to get her here. And words cannot express her gratitude to Kurt, Kathryn, Robbie, and Kelsey for giving her this opportunity. It truly is the best Christmas pageant ever!
OLIVIA BRADFORD
(Ivy) Olivia is so excited to be on SCERA’s mainstage. Some of her favorite previous roles are Timon (Lion King, Rock Canyon Elementary) and Rose (Alice in Wonderland, Jr., SCERA Youth Theatre). She is grateful for the friends she has made in the cast and loves her new theatre family. Many thanks to Kurt, Kathryn, Robbie, and Kelsey for making this happen!
TRISTAN BUSH
(Leroy Herdman) Tristan has done 17 shows in the span of two and half years! Any time there’s tryouts for a new production he jumps at the opportunity to be a part of it. Tristan started his journey into the theater world with training from Utah COPA in American Fork. From there he has played a number of diverse roles in shows such as Matilda The Musical, Footloose The Musical, Newsies and many more. Tristan has done 12 shows at the Lehi Arts Center. He’s also in musical theater at Willow Creek Middle School and recently played Ren McCormick in Footloose The Musical. Tristan is so excited to be a part of this production, and with his passion for theatre, it’s doubtful this is the last time you’ll see him on stage!
MICHAEL CARRASCO (Scenic Designer)
Michael’s career in theater has spanned over 40 years. His most recent set design credits include Regalo Theater’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Amadeus, White Christmas, and Shrek The Musical. Some of his previous set design credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, Singin’ in the Rain, Cats, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Jekyll and Hyde. Michael is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, California. He and his wife Colleen have four children: Mitchell, Mckenna, Savanna and Sophia.
ROBBIE CROMWELL (Choreographer)
Robbie is grateful to have choreographed The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical and share his creativity through dance. He recently choreographed Hello, Dolly! at SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre. He was also the assistant choreographer for Crazy for You at SCERA
and has contributed choreography to The Addams’ Family, Oklahoma!, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Robbie has competed, performed, and choreographed ballroom dance for over 18 years at the youth, amateur, and professional levels. In addition to choreographing, Robbie has acted in several recent productions; his credits include The Foreigner (Pleasant Grove Players), Cinderella (The Ruth), Crazy for You and Mary Poppins (SCERA), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (HCTO) and The Addams’ Family (TCT). Robbie would like to thank both the production team and the cast for making this a fun experience and for their enthusiasm in creating this show.
CHASE ELISON
(Lighting Designer / Audio Engineer / Master Electrician) Chase has been involved in theatre since he was 11 in SCERA’s Oliver. At age 15, he began working at the Lehi Arts Center, and he currently serves as SCERA’s Sound and Lighting Manager, where he has designed lighting for many of SCERA’s Theatre for Young Audiences productions. “I dedicate my work to my grandparents Jerry & Barbara. They introduced me to theatre and music at a young age. My grandma taught me piano for many years, and I had the honor of working with my grandpa for several productions here at SCERA. Love and miss you guys, ‘Ya done good!’”
KURT ELISON
(Director) Kurt has been on the stage since he was just a little kid. Kurt is so excited to work on this show with this crew. Kurt's recent directing credits include: Hello Dolly at SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, Bright Star at the Lehi Arts Center, and A Christmas Story: The Musical at SCERA. Kurt has loved being on the stage, and off the stage as a director. He learned a lot from his late father, who showed him how theater can be so
Cast & Staff Biographies
(in alphabetical order by last name)
meaningful and fun. Kurt has also directed Beauty and the Beast, See How They Run, Wait Until Dark, And Then There Were None, She Loves Me, Damn Yankees, The Drowsy Chaperone, Big Fish, Clue The Musical, Blithe Spirit, and The Mouse Trap, just to name a few. He loves being involved with the community, and working with great people from around this great valley. Kurt would like to thank this wonderful production team, and his wife and kids who have always been so supportive of Kurt’s theatre passion.
BRYAN HARPER
(Bob Bradley) Bryan is excited to be back at SCERA in this fun, heartwarming production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical. SCERA is a favorite venue of Bryan's and he's loved being a part of many SCERA productions - including most recently as Horace Vandergelder in last summer’s production of Hello Dolly! Other of Bryan’s recent credits around Utah include lead roles in The Wizard of Oz (SCERA); A Christmas Story: The Musical (SCERA); Arsenic and Old Lace (Grand Theater Co.); Oliver! (HCTO); The Music Man (HCTO); and The Sound of Music (Sundance). When not performing, Bryan enjoys traveling, golfing and generally any time he can get with his family. “I’ll miss performing alongside Jack and Max (my boys) in this production, but I’m immensely proud of them and the SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley production they are starring in at The Ruth in Pleasant Grove! Thanks for putting up with our crazy schedules, Wendy. We love you!” And thanks to Kurt, Kathryn, Robbie and Kelsey for trusting me with this role and for putting together a fantastic production.
ETHAN HARRISON (Scene Shop Manager)
Ethan has been building sets and working backstage at SCERA since 2022, and has proudly worked on every single show since, including set designing The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs at SCERA. He has always been inspired by the creativity of SCERA's sets, especially on the outdoor stage so is excited to be building them himself. His love for set construction has been strengthened by his family who have all built many sets alongside him. He is grateful for his Pops and Mrs. Wygant for teaching him the craft as well as his SCERA tech family for their support and camaraderie! "The real credit goes to my amazing staff! You guys all rock!"
KATHRYN LAYCOCK LITTLE (Music Director)
In her role as actress, Kathryn has performed professionally in leading roles Off-Broadway as a charter member of the Manhattan Theater Ensemble, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, both the Capitol Theater and Abravanel Hall in SLC, Robert Redford’s Sundance Theater, both Hale Center Theaters, and SCERA. She has been a guest artist with the Tabernacle Choir, Utah Valley Symphony, Utah Valley Chorale, BYU’s Synthesis and Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as many other professional concert performances. You may have heard or seen her as the narrator and soloist for numerous television and radio commercials, films, recorded books (over 60 books for Covenant Communications), and musical recordings. Kathryn has directed and musically directed many shows throughout Utah Valley and the Salt Lake City area. For the past 31 years, she and her husband Howard have been the Resident Artistic Directors for the PG Players
in Pleasant Grove. She was the director for the 200 member choir event Christmas in the Grove for 25 years, and has been a professional voice teacher for 45 years. In fear of getting bored, 14 years ago Kathryn became the director for SCERA’s national award-winning high school company Acting Up! She gives full credit and thanks to her wonderful family, both in heaven and here on earth, as well as incredible friends and colleagues for their love, patience and support. "It takes a village to make pretty much anything worth doing happen!”
SYMON LIVINGSTON
(Ralph Herdman) Symon is super excited to be playing Ralph Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical. Symon has starred in many productions including Fiddler on the Roof at Timpanagos High School, Phantom of the Opera at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater, and many other school productions like Little Mermaid Jr. as Prince Eric and Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods Jr. Symon is in 8th grade and attends Oak Canyon Junior High School. His favorite part in the show is “Die, Herod, Die!” and he is super excited to perform this show during the Christmas season.
NATALIE MERRILL
(Grace Bradley) Natalie is thrilled to return to the SCERA stage. A lifelong lover of singing and acting, she didn’t begin auditioning for community theatre until adulthood—thanks to her husband Brad, who reminded her it was never too late to chase a dream. Since then, she has appeared in It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Oliver!, The Little Mermaid (during which she was pregnant with her first son, Bennett— now performing alongside her in his very first show), and finally, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Playing Grace has been a
longtime goal, and she feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity. The friendships she has made through theatre are among her most cherished. Sharing the stage with her little boy Bennett is the greatest dream come true, and having her niece Sabrina in the show is an added delight. She’s endlessly thankful for Brad and their younger son, Porter, all of whom make life brighter in every way!
ZOE MORRIS
(Beth Bradley) Zoe is thrilled to be sharing the stage with so many talented friends in her SCERA debut. Zoe has been singing since she could make sound and has wanted to be on stage since about the same time. Other favorite roles include Veruca Salt in a mini musical with Hale Center Theater Sandy, and Elsa in Frozen at The Ruth Academy's mini musical program. Zoe can also be seen in the film Forgiveness Girl streaming on many platforms in early 2026. Zoe would love to express gratitude to the production team, all of her taxi drivers and family who always encourage her to follow her dreams and pursue theatre.
SCOUT OLENIK
(Gladys Herdman)A true Christmas miracle, Scout was born on Christmas Day, so it’s no wonder she loves being part of this pageant! While fairly new to theater, she has hit the ground running! She recently played Lavender in Matilda Jr. (SCERA) and appeared as a Lullaby League Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz (SCERA). Her energy onstage is contagious, and she’s thrilled for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to shout (and belt) “Die, Herod, Die!” By day, she’s a studious 4th grader who loves books, dancing, singing, and playing piano. She also collects tea sets and still loves playing pretend with her little sister. Getting to play “little sister” to her real-life big sister, Summer, has been the highlight of her
Cast & Staff Biographies
(in alphabetical order by last name)
year. Scout sends love to her parents and three sisters (her biggest fans) and BIG thanks to her family and friends for coming to the show!
SUMMER OLENIK
(Imogene Herdman)
Summer is thrilled to be back at SCERA, ready to deliver a truly HORRIBLE holiday performance! She may be the polar opposite of Imogene, but that just makes the role even more fun to play. Her love for theatre began in 5th grade after a school play sparked the dream that led to her first role as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins (SCERA). Favorite roles since include Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr. (Center Stage), Golde in Fiddler on the Roof Youth Edition (SCERA), and Miss Honey in Matilda Jr. (SCERA). Offstage, Summer loves basketball, jamming on the piano, and singing (way too loudly) to Yacht Rock hits. She has trained with SCERA Youth Theater’s First Act and is part of their General Ruckus musical theatre program. Summer is especially excited to play pretend sisters with her real little sister, Scout, who has promised not to actually bite her on stage. Much love to her amazing family for never missing a show.
JACKSON
SEAVER (Claude Herdman)
Jackson is so excited to be playing Claude Herdman! His previous roles include Grover Dill and Randy in A Christmas Story: The Musical, Gavroche in Les Miserables School Edition, and Young Shrek in Shrek The Musical. He is a 5th grader and loves math and art. He is so thankful to his family for helping him be in this show and to everyone “Merry Christmas!”
KELSEY SEAVER (Production Stage Manager) Kelsey is excited to be stage managing this show. She loves the SCERA and has worked for 18 years in the costume shop. Some of her past stage managing credits include Les Miserables School Edition, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Story twice, and Little Shop of Horrors. She is so grateful to be able to do the show with her 3 kiddos! She is forever appreciative to her wonderful husband who holds down the fort and cooks every night so that we all get to rehearsals on time.
VIRGINIA SEAVER (Alice) Ginny is so excited to be in this show! She has had many fun roles in her life, but playing the sassy role of Alice is a dream come true. She was most recently Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Jr. (Centennial Elementary) and has been in the ensemble of the shows Matilda Jr. (SCERA Shell), A Christmas Story: The Musical (SCERA), Annie (SCERA Shell) and Fiddler Jr. (SCERA’s First Act). Performing is one of her favorite things to do. She would like to thank the production staff, her SCERA family and her real family for all of their support over the years.
CLARK THOMPSON (Teddy) Clark is 11 years old and is doing this show with his Mom and his little sister Ivy. His favorite prior roles include Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, Pete Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life!, Max in Seussical, and the Dish in Shrek. When Clark isn’t asking too many questions, he is tap dancing, playing games, learning Portuguese, and sleeping.
DESMOND TOLMAN
(Ollie Herdman) As the middle child of seven children, Desmond feels right at home playing a Herdman! Desmond loves acting, singing, and dancing with his older siblings. Some of his favorite roles have been Olaf in Frozen Jr. and Bruce in Matilda Jr. at SCERA. When he's not on stage he also loves reading, drawing, and taekwondo.
OPAL TOLMAN
(Props Designer /Prop Shop Manager) ) Opal is so excited to be returning as part of the SCERA Family!
After having worked both behind the scenes and on stage in many of SCERA’s previous productions, Opal stepped into the role of props/scenic designer for several local theater companies, and truly fell in love with the artistry and storytelling of the design process.
“SCERA has given me so much over the years, and I feel overwhelmingly grateful for the chance to give back in this new role. I'm excited to keep learning, support the amazing artists here, and to help bring our magical productions
to life." Previous behind the scenes works include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (SCERA), The Crucible (Props/Scenic Designer), Twelfth Night (Props/Scenic/Costume Designer), Julius Caesar (Props/Scenic Designer). On stage: Freaky Friday (Torrey), Cinderella (Cinderella), Annie (Lily), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Becky).
STEVE WINTERS
(Reverend Hopkins) Steve is so excited to be part of this brilliant cast, crew and production! Steve’s most recent show was Hello Dolly this past summer at SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre. Some of Steve’s favorite shows include playing General Waverly in White Christmas (Regalo), Lurch in Addams Family (Lehi), The Sound of Music (HCTO & SCERA Shell), Fiddler on the Roof (Regalo & SCERA Shell), Newsies, and The Music Man (SCERA Shell). Steve was also in A Christmas Carol at HCTO for many years. Steve is a passionate mountain biker, winter fatbiker and also puts in many hours each year as a volunteer trail worker for the Forest Service up American Fork Canyon. Steve is the father of four and grandfather of 7. Steve would like to thank his wife of 42 years, Marcia, for allowing him to “play.” To each of you: “Unto Us A Child is Born!”
