iStock/Adam Bartosik
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever needs vintage clothing, décor and furniture to recreate the ’70s.
Treasures from the 1970s are being brought into the spotlight as Merrill Arts Center (MAC) prepares for its upcoming production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The production is directed by John H. Potter and will show the first two weeks of December.
To create an authentic ambiance for the production, MAC is asking community members to go back in time and look for any pieces that they have from the ’70s. “It was a simpler, slower time without cell phones or social media,” Potter says. “I believe this setting best suits the characters and the story.” Potter, who brings 50 years of professional directing and acting experience to the production, chose the play for its nostalgic setting and timeless message about acceptance, love and the meaning of Christmas. “The Herdman children are troublemakers and outsiders. When they decide to take part in the church’s annual Christmas pageant, everyone assumes it will be a disaster,” Potter says.“ The families of the congregation are moved by the surprising sincerity of the children’s performance and decide to accept ‘the others’—those who are different from them. This is an age-old theme, but one that is particularly relevant today.” The production is also multigenerational, with parents performing alongside their children.
To clothe this cast, MAC’s costume team is looking for groovy items for children and adults including backpacks, coats, dresses, go-go boots, hats, lunch boxes, pants, scarves, shirts and other funky accessories. Aside from clothing, décor and household items from the era are also needed. “We’re having a blast gathering items for this project,” says MAC’s executive director Barbe Hansen. “So far, my favorites are a kids’ fireman’s helmet from the ’70s show Emergency!, a 1970s Girl Scouts uniform, a carhop uniform and a gas station attendant jacket.”
MAC can accept donations only, and does not accept items out on loan. Donated items will go into MAC’s costumes, props and set library for use in future productions. Donations are accepted at the Dorothy K. Merrill Fine Arts Center (380 Rivertown Drive Suite 200) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays now until October 31. Those looking to drop off their far out finds should alert MAC ahead of time by contacting programs@merrillartscenter.org. Learn more and find ticket times at merrillartscenter.org.
Merrill Arts Center
Instagram: @merrillartscenter
