Seasonal Stage Productions

Emerald Coast Theatre Company transforms classics

With the arrival of the holiday season, we find joy in hearing our favorite carols, watching Christmas classics and attending holiday events. In that spirit, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company invites guests to revisit a childhood favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and experience the regional premier of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical.

“Holidays come alive here at ECTC,” said Nathanael Fisher, the producing artistic director at ECTC. “We enjoy presenting plays and musicals this time of year that represent a relatable, tried and true holiday story.”

From Dec. 2–10, the Junior Company team players will perform an adaptation of the cartoon classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. The young actors will depict Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang in a performance that’s equal parts humorous and heart-warming.

Friday morning shows at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. will be reserved for school field trips; Saturday performances at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m. are open to the public.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical is as an adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s children’s story published in 1971. The story revolves around the six misfit Herdman children who intend to star in the local church’s Christmas pageant. As the pageant turns to shambles, it’s up to the director Grace Bradley to give the siblings a chance, ultimately teaching all the true meaning of the Christmas season.

From page to stage, the performance is written as a buoyant musical that highlights comedy and compassion. The ECTC cast along with members of the Junior Company bring each character to life.

ECTC will be the first in the region to perform this musical, which was written by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartener and debuted in 2016 at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The production runs from Dec. 8–18. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 2:30 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday shows at 2:30 p.m. and a school field trip showing on Dec. 15 at 9:30 a.m.

“This holiday season, we hope people have the chance to escape the rigmarole of life and come to experience a beautifully told story that takes them away for a while,” Fisher said. “These shows will provide all the holiday warm fuzzy feelings and foster a sense of community where they know their place in the world is valid and important.”

Emerald Coast Theatre Company
560 Grand Blvd., Suite 200, Miramar Beach  |  (850) 684-0323 | EmeraldCoastTheatre.org