"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" Returns to Shore

Director Darryl Lewis works with "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" cast in rehersals. Performances will be at Shore Cultural Centre the weekend of December 9-11. 

If you think the Euclid Holiday Celebration and Euclid Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert completed the Holiday lineup at the Shore Cultural Centre, then look again. This month Shore is bringing back for the second year, the classic Christmas comedy "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” written by Barbara Robinson and directed by Darryl Lewis.         

In this hilarious play, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman children, probably the most inventively mischievous kids in town.  Mayhem leads to fun when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head-on! 

“I love having the opportunity to share the holidays and this play with families in the Euclid area,” said director Darryl Lewis. The show was cast through open auditions and is comprised of actors of all ages. Many of the cast members are students from Lewis’ DML Music & Theatre Studio located in the Shore Cultural Centre. “When the children are cast and begin rehearsals, we encourage parents to take part, as well. We love making it a family affair. There are also many young actors experiencing their first time on stage. Theatre is an important confidence builder that will last their entire life,” Lewis added. “I encourage and hope people will see the show and support their neighbors and friends this holiday season.”

Winner of the 2011 Broadwayworld.com Equity Actor of the Year, Mr. Lewis is a resident of Euclid, OH and also winner of the 2011 National Association of Teachers of Singing Award. Mr. Lewis has been a member of Actors Equity Association since 2008 and received his MFA from Kent State University. Lewis has performed with Cleveland area theatres including Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Karamu, Dobama, Beck Center for the Arts, Cain Park and Geauga Lyric Theatre. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. and is supported by the Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation. Performances will be on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 at 7;30pm and Sunday, December 11 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. Recieve a discount of $2.00 off your ticket price at the Sunday matinee if you bring a nonperishable food item for donation to the Euclid Hunger Center. Ticket purchase and information can be found at www.shoreculturalcentre.com, or call 216-289-8578. Shore Cultural Centre is located at 291 E. 222nd St., Euclid.