The Worst/Best Christmas Pageant Ever was well worth the price of finding out that I now qualify for the senior discount on tickets.

It was exactly the right length for keeping my granddaughters enthralled, with a comic performance every Christmas pageant is prone to have, given the unpredictability of children, but I must say that Abby Bartman, the girl who played Imogen and the Virgin Mary, was very well cast--her wide-eyed wonder and the sorrow elevated her and made real the impossible plight of Mary, while playing an impish, impossible miscreant moments before.

Once again I was struck by the wonderful vehicle the theater has become for developing responsibility and talent in the young people whose parents make the sacrifice to get them to all those rehearsals.

They were so poised and so well-prepared, and I am almost sorry to see them grow up before my eyes as each year goes by. My dream is that one day we can actually have school matinees for those who do not have the opportunity to participate, or attend the regular performances.

Another thing which struck me, after talking with some folks who came from Georgia to the performance was how easy it is to "break in" to the theater here and go right to the lead roles sometimes.

Bill Wedding is a relative newcomer to the scene, and so is Jenny Garner, whose roles as parents and pageant people were quite involved. Ginny McKinney, a Pine Tree Player veteran, was hilarious in a bit part as the former pageant director. She could easily have stolen the limelight. I was told that the theater in many small towns is "clique-ish" and therefore we are extremely fortunate to have a company which welcomes "new blood."

So, if you want to feel like a part of something, join the p?layers. I guarantee there is something you can contribute, and you will get back a thousand times what you put into it. At least, go to a performance next weekend, and clap a lot. Those children deserve it. Even if you don't like theater, you can sit down and rest for an hour. Let them entertain you. The Fairfield Museum will have a wine and cheese reception before Friday's performance, and will also have a reception after Sunday's matinee, featuring local talent and refreshment. I plan on being there, and might borrow someone's children to see the play again. May as well take advantage of my status as a senior, right?

- Linda Dye

Red Tree Gallery

Winnsboro