The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Due to impending weather conditions, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever performances Saturday, Nov. 29, are canceled. We have added performances at 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 30. Saturday tickets will be honored at Sunday’s performance. If you have Saturday tickets, check your email sent Saturday around 10:00 AM from [email protected] for more details.

 

The Herdman children appear to be the worst kids ever. They lie, they steal, and they curse. When the Herdmans hear the neighborhood church serves treats, they show up and volunteer for the lead roles in this year’s pageant. Ultimately everyone is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Suggested reading: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

NEW Sensory-friendly performance: The 4:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, performance will be modified to be more accessible and comfortable for audience members who might find the traditional theatre environment overwhelming. The IRIS Sensation Team will provide free audio description. The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translations with advance notice. Please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261 as soon as possible. Reasonable accommodations will be made for all requests. Click here to learn more about sensory-friendly performances at The Playhouse.


Share the warmth this season. The Playhouse encourages guests to join us in the true spirit of the holiday. Just as the Herdmans learn the power of giving, we are collecting new winter clothing for youths and adults: coats (larger sizes preferred), gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves. These items will be given to Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS), helping families in need and ensuring that no one has to face the cold alone this winter. Together, we can make this not only the best Christmas ever, but also the warmest.

Season tickets are now on sale.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please fill out this form. We have Playhouse donors who have generously supported a limited number of pay-what-you-can tickets for distribution. Requests should be made prior to opening night.

Click here to download a PDF of the P Bill Jr.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays; ADDED SHOWS 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM, Friday, Nov. 28, & Saturday, Nov. 29
School Matinees:
9:30 AM & Noon, Tuesdays, Nov. 11 & 18, 2025
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Family Series in the Studio Theatre
Run Time:
60 minutes, performed without intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse family theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.
Download Playbill

In the News

Interview with cast members Erin Davison-Rippey, Fiona Davison-Rippey, and Henry Davison-Rippey and Playhouse outreach coordinator Nate Weber, The Culture Buzz, KFMG Oct. 29, 2025

Interview with cast members Tammy Armstrong and Daniel Pickett, Hello Iowa, WHO-TV13, Nov. 5, 2025

Interview with cast members Tammy Armstrong and Erin Davison-Rippey, We Are Iowa Local 5 news, ABC5, Nov. 7, 2025

Company

  • Mrs Clausing / Understudy Mother / Understudy Mrs Slocum

    Tammy Armstrong

    Mrs Clausing / Understudy Mother / Understudy Mrs Slocum
  • Baby Angel

    Vivian Armstrong

    Baby Angel
  • Dana

    Avery Beavers

    Dana
  • Mrs Edna McCarthy

    Frances Beavers

    Mrs Edna McCarthy
  • Mrs Irma Slocum

    Lucy Daniels

    Mrs Irma Slocum
  • Mrs Clark / Understudy Mrs Armstrong / Understudy Mrs McCarthy

    Lisa Day

    Mrs Clark / Understudy Mrs Armstrong / Understudy Mrs McCarthy
  • Mother (Grace Bradley)

    Erin Davison-Rippey

    Mother (Grace Bradley)
  • Baby Angel Shirley

    Fiona Davison-Rippey

    Baby Angel Shirley
  • Ensemble / Understudy Elmer Hopkins / Understudy Hobie / Understudy David

    Henry Davison-Rippey

    Ensemble / Understudy Elmer Hopkins / Understudy Hobie / Understudy David
  • Ollie Herdman

    Calvin Goerend

    Ollie Herdman
  • Elmer Hopkins

    Bennett Hardin

    Elmer Hopkins
  • Ensemble / Understudy Leroy Herdman / Understudy Claude Herdman

    Perah Healey

    Ensemble / Understudy Leroy Herdman / Understudy Claude Herdman
  • Beverly / Understudy Beth

    Mary Heilman

    Beverly / Understudy Beth
  • Maxine

    Lindsey Hollinger

    Maxine
  • Imogene Herdman

    Arianna Kamerman

    Imogene Herdman
  • Ensemble / Understudy Imogene Herdman

    Porter Knox

    Ensemble / Understudy Imogene Herdman
  • Claude Herdman

    Bennett Liker

    Claude Herdman
  • Alice Wendleken

    Emersyn Magill

    Alice Wendleken
  • Ralph Herdman

    Ammon W Martin

    Ralph Herdman
  • Ensemble / Understudy Charlie Bradley / Understudy Ollie Herdman

    Todd F Moeller

    Ensemble / Understudy Charlie Bradley / Understudy Ollie Herdman
  • Leroy Herdman

    Sean Murphy

    Leroy Herdman
  • Baby Angel Doris / Understudy Gladys Herdman

    Lillian Noble

    Baby Angel Doris / Understudy Gladys Herdman
  • Father (Bob Bradley)

    Daniel Pickett

    Father (Bob Bradley)
  • Ensemble

    Grace Pickett

    Ensemble
  • Ensemble / Understudy Alice Wendleken / Understudy Maxine

    Adeline Pollman

    Ensemble / Understudy Alice Wendleken / Understudy Maxine
  • Hobie

    Ava Pourian

    Hobie
  • Baby Angel Juanita

    Mya Ream

    Baby Angel Juanita
  • Gladys Herdman

    Cecilia Schmidt

    Gladys Herdman
  • Baby Angel / Understudy Baby Angel Shirley / Understudy Baby Angel Juanita / Understudy Baby Angel Doris

    Annelise Swartzendruber

    Baby Angel / Understudy Baby Angel Shirley / Understudy Baby Angel Juanita / Understudy Baby Angel Doris
  • Mrs Armstrong

    Amanda Throckmorton

    Mrs Armstrong
  • Reverend Hopkins / Understudy Ralph Herdman

    Ian Williams

    Reverend Hopkins / Understudy Ralph Herdman
  • Beth Bradley

    Zoey Wiliams-Decklever

    Beth Bradley
  • Charlie Bradley

    Benjamin Wortman

    Charlie Bradley
  • Director / Playhouse Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Director / Playhouse Artistic Director
  • Set Designer

    JP Ungs

    Set Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Virgil Kleinhesselink

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Sarah Beth "Bee" Weinberg

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Hudson Pulver

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Director

    Braden Hoyer

    Assistant Director
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Franny Winn

    Assistant Stage Manager

Photos/Video

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Pictured Cecelia Schmidt) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Clockwise from bottom left: Ammon W Martin, Bennett Liker, Calvin Goerend, Arianna Kammerman, Cecelia Schmidt, and Sean Murphy) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Left to right: Arianna Kammerman, Bennett Liker, Calvin Goerend, Ammon W Martin, Erin Davison-Rippey, Cecelia Schmidt, and Sean Murphy) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Pictured left to right Arianna Kammerman, Erin Davison-Rippey, Ammon W Martin) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Pictured left to right Sean Murphy, Bennett Liker, Calvin Goerend) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Pictured left to right Erin Davison-Rippey, Ammon W Martin, Arianna Kammerman, Cecelia Schmidt) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Pictured left to right Arianna Kammerman, Ammon W Martin, Cecelia Schmidt) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Herdmans are back in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. (Pictured Cecelia Schmidt) Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Nov. 29, 2025
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

DES MOINES PLAYHOUSE BRINGS BACK FAMILY HOLIDAY FAVORITE
New: Sensory-friendly Performance Offered; Audiences Invited to Donate Winter Clothing

Des Moines, IA – The Des Moines Playhouse presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Nov. 7-29, 2025, in the Marshall & Julie Linn Studio Theatre. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is sponsored by Nationwide.

The Herdman children appear to be the worst kids ever. They lie, they steal, and they curse. When the Herdmans hear the neighborhood church serves treats, they show up and volunteer for the lead roles in this year’s pageant. Ultimately everyone is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Playhouse cast includes Tammy Armstrong, Vivian Armstrong, Avery Beavers, Frances Beavers, Lucy Daniels, Lisa Day, Erin Davison-Rippey, Fiona Davison-Rippey, Henry Davison-Rippey, Lisa Day, Calvin Goerend, Bennett Hardin, Perah Healey, Mary Heilman, Lindsey Hollinger, Arianna Kamerman, Porter Knox, Bennett Liker, Emersyn Magill, Ammon W Martin, Todd F Moeller, Sean Murphy, Lillian Noble, Daniel Pickett, Grace Pickett, Adeline Pollman, Ava Pourian, Mya Ream, Cecilia Schmidt, Annelise Swartzendruber, Amanda Throckmorton, Ian Williams, Zoey Williams-Decklever, and Benjamin Wortman. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is directed by Katy Merriman with scenic design by JP Ungs, costume design by Jessica Van Essen, and lighting design by Virgil Kleinhesselink.

NEW: The Playhouse will offer a sensory-friendly performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at 4:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. This performance will be modified to be more accessible and comfortable for audience members who might find the traditional theatre environment overwhelming.

Share the warmth this season: The Playhouse encourages guests to donate new winter clothing for youths and adults – coats, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves. Collections boxes will be located in the lobbies. All donations will be given to Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS). CISS is committed to providing low-barrier shelter, meals, and support services at no cost to adults and families experiencing homelessness while also facilitating their move towards self-sufficiency.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Performances
Nov. 7-29, 2025
7:00 PM Fridays
1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays-Sundays
Assisted listening is provided. The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translation or audio description with advanced notice. These services are free and reasonable accommodations will be made. Requests should be made through The Playhouse ticket office.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Tickets 
Tickets start at $15 for students and $20 for adults
To purchase: www.dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Ticket office hours: Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays, and 90 minutes prior curtain on show days

###

Show Credits

Credits: By Barbara Robinson • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc, www.concordtheatricals.com

Sponsored by

  • Nationwide