The West Hudson Arts & Theater Co. (WHATCo) production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever opens for a six-performance run beginning Friday, Dec. 1.

Imogene Herdman, who plays Jesus’s mother, Mary, is upset that there was no room at the Bethlehem inn for Joseph and Mary. “Not even for Jesus?” she asks, stunned.

For those who may not know the basic plot, it’s about a group of kids who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks: the Herdman kids. In the town where they live, the Christmas pageant means a lot.

Beatrice Schneider plays Imogene Herdman in the film – a tough, bossy girl who ends up landing the role of Mary in the community Christmas pageant. I was honored to chat with Beatrice.

Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman, Ewan Wood as Leroy Herdman, Lorelei Olivia Mote as Alice, Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman, Molly Wright as Beth, Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman, Mason Nelligan ...

Greer and Beatrice Schneider (who plays eldest Herdman Imogene) are the MVPs herein. The former because she’s landing incredible feats of tonal balance, and without them, the whole thing wouldn ...

Beatrice Schneider, as Imogene Herdman, and Judy Greer, as Grace, share a scene in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." (Courtesy of Lionsgate) ...

Beatrice Schneider has a real spark as Imogene Herdman, the eldest and most vocal of the Herdman clan. Faith-based director Dallas Jenkins ("The Chosen") and his trio of screenwriters are able to ...

And by the time the credits roll, we get the feeling that Imogene Herdman came to understand Mary and Jesus far better than Alice did. Advertisement In the Christmases of our imagination, ...

Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman, Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman, Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman and Mason Nelligan as Ralph Herdman in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." ...

Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman, Ewan Wood as Leroy Herdman, Lorelei Olivia Mote as Alice, Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman, Molly Wright as Beth, Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman, Mason Nelligan ...

Imogene Herdman: Adult Role, Female Presenting: Imogene Herdman - bossy and loud 5th grader, leader of the Herdmans. Leroy Herdman: Adult Role, Male Presenting: Leroy Herdman - Imogene’s sly fox ...