“The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker's old broken-down toolhouse.” —opening paragraph of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the classic 1972 holiday tale by Barbara Robinson.

It is cold here in Ann Arbor the week after Thanksgiving at the end of a highly political and contentious November. Black Friday sales have been stressful and extremely hard on the wallet. It’s time to enjoy some light entertainment.

It’s time for an evening with the horrible Herdmans.

The Saline Area Players present The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a delightful family-friendly one-act play based on Barbara Robinson’s famous story of Imogene, Claude, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman who hilariously disrupt their town’s annual Christmas pageant and teach their church the true meaning of the holiday in the process.

Directed by Kara Fay Cardella, the production features an unusually large cast of adult and youthful Saline Players, who, if their Facebook rehearsal photos are an indication, are having an absolutely wonderful time.

The Players pledge that the audience will have a great time, also! With a low, low general admission price of only $5, you can enjoy an evening of Holiday escapism and there will still be money left in your wallet for other Christmas treats.

Tim Grimes is manager of Community Relations & Marketing at the Ann Arbor District Library and co-founder of Redbud Productions.

Performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Everwill take place December 1 through December 4 at Fifth Corner, 211 Willis Rd. in Saline. Ticket information is available at http://www.salineareaplayers.org/.