Ned Lewis' V.B.S. class is a mess and he must perform a sketch in front of the entire church! If everything goes well, the church will consider starting up a Drama program, but things don't look too good for Ned. |
Written By: Chandler
Ned Lewis is at the end of his rope. It's time for the end of the week performance for Vacation Bible School and Ned is sure that his sketch the sixth grade class he taught will be a disaster. Whit asks Ned what the problem is. Dejectedly, Ned tells his story: The play is fine, but the main actors are irreligious kids who have all kinds of crazy ideas about how to "improve" the play. Whit tries to reassure Ned, who's worried what the pastor and parents will think. Only God knows that heart, Whit points out. Even though the kids don't seem to be gaining anything by attending V.B.S., some of the spiritual content may sink in. Ned is not convinced.
Ned's sense of foreboding seems justified as the kids perform the play. They throw in all kinds of extra lines that are not part of the original story. Surprisingly, the audience is in stitches; but Ned thinks that he'll have to find a new church after his pastor gets to him. To Ned's astonishment, the pastor comes up and congratulates him once the play is over--he even offers to let Ned start a drama program at the church. It is rather ironic that Ned is finally granted permission to have the drama program after a play he deems disastrous. The funny parts weren't his doing at all. But the best thing to come out of it all is the very same kids who gave Ned such a hard time are now interested in attending Sunday school and learning more about God.
I think the kids do a great job maintaining a natural flow in their various exchanges throughout the show. Especially as opposed to Ned who seems forced in some of his lines. Unfortunately, with the similarity among their voices, it's difficult to distinguish which kid is speaking at some points. However a lot of their lines are hilarious so I like this show for the humor and not the sound effects that leave a lot to be desired.
The premise of the story has many uncanny similarities to the children's book, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson. The story predates the episode by a decade and is about a small town's Christmas pageant which is taken over by the terrible Herdmans who only show up to church for alleged refreshments and leave with the six lead roles in the pageant.
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BenSmith
Whit mentions at the little theatre that there are refreshments set up downstairs. However seeing the floorplan of Whit's End the little theater is downstairs.
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David
The kids mention Star Wars and quote a couple lines from the movie.
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ChandlerThe story of this episode largely parallels the book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
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noname