Rehearsals underway for Children’s Christmas play

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Mainstreet Players will present three performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever this Christmas season, and rehearsals are already underway for the 25  or so members of the cast.

Samuel French’s comedy is a full-length play based on Barbara Robinson’s best-selling book with the same name.

“It’s a very popular little play,” said director Lorna Ayers. “We have done it before, but it was over 10 years ago.”

This year’s production will include one night-time performance and two Sunday matinees.

The first showing will be after the Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown Albany on Saturday, Nov. 30.

“We want everyone to come over to the Aztec to watch the play after the conclusion of the parade and the prize drawings,” said Ayers. “The performance should start around 7:30 p.m. or so.”

The cast will also present matinees on Sunday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 8.

Tickets to the shows will go on sale sometime in November, according to Ayers.

“Rehearsals are going very well, and everyone is getting into their characters,” added the director.