By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Just in time for the holiday season, South City Theatre is bringing back a classic Christmas story, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Dec. 4 through Dec. 12.

The play is based on the 1971 book written by Barbara Robinson. It centers around Imogene, Claude, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie and Gladys Herdman, the delinquent children who get into trouble by smoking, drinking and shoplifting.

After being told that church provides snack for all its attendees, the children visit just in time to hear about the Christmas pageant. Despite protests from other members, the children are given roles in play.

“We are ready for it to be complete and to add that final audience aspect of it,” said show director Emily Hoppe. “We’re excited.”

This is Hoppe’s first year directing since 2009 and she said she is excited to be a part of it. As a music teacher at the Alabama Waldorf School, Hoppe said she enjoys adding theatre back into the mix.

“I’ve been out of the theatre at Samford since 2009,” she said. “I’ve done performing and I’ve done stage managing, but I haven’t done directing. Just getting to do that start to finish process of directing a show has been awesome.”

Auditions for the show were held in October, and Hoppe said they started rehearsals soon after. As of Nov. 19, all the cast was off book and they were already doing full run-throughs of the show.

As a music teacher, Hoppe said she’s used to getting into the Christmas spirit early. She also loved the book “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” when she was a kid, which makes it even better.

“That’s one of the best parts about being an artist,” Hoppe said. “As a musician you start singing Christmas music in September to start getting ready for the concert, same thing with this. It’s been so much fun.”

Hoppe said the process is going great, and she, as well as the whole cast, is looking forward to opening night.

The show opens Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. with additional 7:30 p.m. showings on Dec. 5, 10 and 12. There will be one matinee Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Southcitytheatre.com.