PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Children’s Theatre of Southern Maryland opens its 2025 holiday season Friday with a musical adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s classic novel, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Performances run through November 22 at St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick, featuring a cast of 31 young actors from the region.
The production centers on the Herdman siblings, a notorious family of six children known for mischief, who disrupt a small town’s annual church Christmas pageant. What begins as chaos evolves into an unlikely lesson on the holiday’s core message, as the Herdmans claim roles from Mary to the innkeeper. Adapted into a musical with book and lyrics by Chiara Atik and David Foley, and music by J.T. Douglass, the show premiered off-Broadway in 2019 before regional tours. Robinson’s 1972 book, which has sold more than 4 million copies, draws from her observations of family dynamics and community quirks, blending humor with themes of redemption and inclusion.
Rehearsals began in August, with actors ranging in age from 8 to 18 hailing from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Director Aly Cross, who has helmed multiple CTSMD shows, guided the ensemble through character development. “This cast has worked tirelessly to develop these colorful, beautiful characters, and I couldn’t be more proud,” Cross said. “So, hang onto your halos and enjoy the show. SHA-ZAM!!!” The director’s approach emphasizes ensemble work, allowing young performers to explore roles that challenge stereotypes, from the rowdy Herdmans to the pageant’s traditional participants.
Tickets cost $18 for children(12 and under and $24 for adults(13 and up), available online or at the door. Showtimes include Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 15 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Friday, November 21 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, November 22 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The November 15 matinee marks CTSMD’s first dedicated accessible performance, designed to broaden reach for families with sensory or communication needs.
Accessibility Coordinator Molly Crumbley outlined the features: American Sign Language interpretation throughout, reduced lighting and sound levels to minimize overstimulation, and complimentary sensory kits. These kits include noise-reducing headphones, weighted lap mats and fidget tools, available for any performance upon request or advance reservation via the box office. “We believe that theatre is for everyone, and we’re really proud to be able to offer programming to help remove barriers for members of our community,” Crumbley said. Such accommodations align with CTSMD’s commitment to inclusion, as stated on its website: “There is power in inclusion, and all of the students in our spaces deserve the chance to access theatre and to see themselves represented both onstage and offstage”.
Founded in 2021, the Children’s Theatre of Southern Maryland has staged more than 50 productions, focusing on youth-led shows that foster skills in acting, music and technical theater. Based in Prince Frederick, the nonprofit serves Calvert County primarily but draws participants from across the tri-county area, with an annual audience exceeding 5,000. Its mission centers on early development: “The earliest years are a critical developmental stage when a child’s imagination and creativity flourish,” according to its outreach materials. Past seasons featured family favorites like Shrek the Musical in May 2025, The Addams Family in November 2023 and High School Musical in 2024, alongside holiday staples such as A Christmas Story.
The production’s timing, just after Veterans Day, positions it as a bridge to Thanksgiving and Christmas, when families seek low-cost outings amid rising living expenses in the region. Sensory kits, in particular, support the estimated 1 in 54 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in Maryland, per state health data, ensuring no one misses the Herdman antics.
By prioritizing accessibility from the outset, the company sets a model for regional peers, potentially influencing future seasons. Families can reserve seats now to join the Herdman hijinks, where even the “rottenest kids” find their place in the nativity.
