By Annie Kinnett Nichols

Synchronicity Theatre’ staging of the holiday favorite ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” continues through Jan. 2 at the Balzer Theatre, the homebase for Theatrical Outfit in Downtown.

The play is perfect for kids and adults alike; it’s funny, touching and lightly sprinkled with classic Christmas songs. Written in 1972 for McCall’s magazine by Barbara Robinson, this play holds timeless appeal for the real meaning of Christmas. Sarah Elizabeth Wallis, who plays Beth Bradley, wonderfully narrates the story about her mom, who steps in to direct the Christmas Pageant.

Things quickly fall apart when the neighborhood orphan family – who are all bullies – demand to be in the play. Katie Keeenan and Claire Rigsby playing Gladys and Imogene Herdman, steal the show  with their antics. This reviewer misted up at the end, but the play was best summarized by the reviewer’s daughter, Hannah-Rose, who said, “Awwwwww. that’s really special.”

For tickets and information, visit www.synchrotheatre.com.