By Marisa Dawson
When the Herdman kids, the absolute worst kids in the history of the world, bulldozed their way into the town Christmas pageant, Bennington audiences got exactly what the story has promised for decades: pure chaos, belly laughs and, by the final curtain, more than a few happy tears. Over three sold-out performances at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bennington Community Theatre proved once again that big theater magic can happen right here in our own backyard, and that there truly are “no small parts, just small actors.”
Director Donna Dahlsten, who has helmed this show multiple times across Nebraska, beamed with pride backstage: “I have an outstanding group… The adults are all really good. The kids that have the main parts are excellent, and they learn their lines so quickly, and they’re a joy to work with… They just clicked.” She went on to say that what makes her proudest is “how the community theatre has progressed and how we’ve involved so many different people of all ages… This is a way of doing something nice for the community.” And the community showed up- every seat filled, plus donations for the local food pantry.
The kids on stage were the heart of the night. Eight-year-old Nora Schmidt, in her very first play, stole scenes (and hearts) as the pint-sized terror Gladys Herdman. “My favorite part about being Gladys is she’s rude… I like when Gladys does ‘Shazam’,” she giggled, adding that the moment the whole cast lines up on the risers and won’t quiet down is her favorite part of the entire show. Finley Johnson brought perfect energy to know-it-all Alice Wendleken: “It’s a very know-it-all, fun character to play overall and it just has a lot of energy and sass to it.” Meanwhile, Jane Moody, who narrates as Beth Bradley, admitted she originally hoped for Imogene but quickly fell in love with telling the story: “I was hoping to play Imogene, but this is way better. I love to be the narrator of the story.”
Rebecca White, playing the sweet and observant Maxine, offered the deepest takeaway of the weekend: “I really hope the audience sees the change of character that the Herdmans go through… from being really, really naughty and bad to being good and kind.” That transformation — from cigar-smoking, cussing, lunch-money-stealing hooligans to kids who finally hear the Christmas story and feel it — is what turned giggles into sniffles every single night. As Rebecca said, “It’s about growth as a person and I think that’s really cool.”
From the tiniest angel to the loudest Herdman, every child on that stage proved the old theater adage true: there are no small parts, just small actors — and this cast of small actors delivered one very big show. The laughter was loud, the message was louder, and the standing ovations were well-earned.
See you at the next one — because if this weekend taught us anything, it’s that the Herdmans (and BCT) always leave you wanting more.
Photos By Marisa Dawson
