Backstage in ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’

Last week was a long – but fulfilling – week.

First, my wife Jill and I celebrated another anniversary. Yes, I remember what day we said, “I do” in front of God and everyone in that little church in Hardwick, Ga. And at any time during our wedding, if someone would have come up to us and tell us that we would be on the stage at Theatre Dublin 27 years from then performing in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” we would have probably laughed.

But, that is exactly what happened last week. Our anniversary fell on the same night we opened. Hey, it was a different kind of anniversary gift.

In all, we had approximately 31 members in this cast. And leading this group like a field general was Misty Mullis, who did a great job, along with the assistant director – her daughter – Lorelei, and a man who will always be Big Jules to me – Adam Lausch – who was the stage manager in this production. 

It was great to be back around Lausch after I got to be beside him many nights last summer working on “Guys and Dolls.” That show helped prepare me for this latest production, especially when it came to moving around and helping backstage.

Once agreeing to the part, we had our first cast read in the theatre. We began with introductions and started reading the play.

After that, we received some popcorn and soda and watched the original “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” TV movie, which is the one I grew up watching and could not wait to see every year around Christmas. 

A few weeks later we were traveling up Interstate 95 for a three-month delayed summer vacation (we chose not to do this last summer because of our involvement in “Guys and Dolls). While traveling around 75 miles per hour, I would recite my lines while driving. It was good to have Jill read the lines of Grace Bradley (who was played by Nicole Belflower). Jill was also able to learn Grace’s lines – but only for that one scene I am in.

My role was Rev. Hopkins while Jill played Mrs. Clausing. If anyone left the theatre during our scenes, they probably missed us. But believe me when I say – or write in this case – we were busy backstage. More specifically, the right side of the backstage area.

I have really come to enjoy being behind the stage of these productions. During the first couple of days of practice last week we were trying to figure out where each prop should go and who is responsible for moving different props on and off stage. We also try to do this as quietly as we can, while remembering not to get too close to the edge where members on the far side of the theatre may be able to see you.

Our roles are as simple as making sure the actors know it is time for them to go out for their scene and to simply pull back a small portion of the curtain to allow actors to return to the backstage area. Sometimes it is as easy as handing a prop to an actor or holding a door.

Sounds simple, but what that means is you cannot get caught up with what is happening on stage that you forget what you need to do. One time I got so caught up watching the action on stage and I almost forgot to make my way down the ramp to hold the door open and allow the Herdman gang to run off the stage, down the ramp and out the door without having to stop and open the door.

Then, when we believe we have it figured out, something is added – or taken away like the backstage lights. The lights back stage were on enough for us to see. During the performances, those lights were off and it was pretty much dark. When I played Liver Lips Louie in “Guys and Dolls” my bright yellow suit (which I do miss) was like a night light. 

In this show, my minister’s outfit allowed me to blend in with the dark background. So, it was easy to run into benches or tables. In fact, one child did hit a table trying to get to her next scene. Despite being in pain, we encouraged her to keep going and that she was not really hurt. Truthfully, that is what I told her even though I could not see if she was really hurt. I was just going by the fact that she could talk and was not screaming in pain. She was fine enough to go out and complete her next scene.

As many directors have said, “the show must go on.” As for working backstage, that is where the real challenge is keeping everything moving as smoothly as one can and as quiet as you can be.

Just like with “Guys and Dolls” the cast of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” came together and worked to put out good, quality shows. It was good to watch the young actors not only learn their parts but also have fun. 

Originally, my wife and I did not believe we would have time to be a part of this production. We are glad that we got involved. We have met more people and increased our theatre family.

It was good to be a part of a Christmas show, kicking off the holiday season in Dublin by performing a show that tells the true meaning of Christmas. As we move forward this Christmas season, there will be more shows for the holidays with “The Nutcracker” and “Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage” (which will feature many of our friends from “Guys and Dolls”).  

As for the future for the actors and actresses from this cast, when it comes to gracing the Theatre Dublin’s stage again, who knows. All one can really say is that no matter what happens, the sun will come up tomorrow – and as fast as time is moving – that is only a day away.