30 Years of “Christmas Pageant” for Muth Family at Piedmont Players

In December of 1995, a young John Edward Muth took to the stage at the brand-new Meroney Theater in Piedmont Players’ The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever. Exactly thirty years later, his son, John Michael, age 7, will follow in his footsteps in the musical version of the same show. To celebrate this full-circle moment, we asked father and son a few questions.

John Edward, can you tell us something amusing about being in the show?

I still remember reading the handwritten cast list—posted in the third-floor rehearsal room—frantically searching for my name. It was such a rush to see it there. This isn’t specific to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, but I remember being in a show when I was about John Michael’s age. I had this bad habit of keeping my hands in my pockets while on stage. During one rehearsal, Mary Ann McCubbin—who, funnily enough, plays Helen in this year’s production—told me, “If you don’t quit putting your hands in your pockets, I’m going to sew them shut!”

So, at one of John Michael’s early rehearsals for this production, we couldn’t resist having a little fun with that memory. He made a big show of keeping his hands in his pockets while talking with her, and of course she immediately “sewed” them shut with her invisible needle and thread. They both got such a kick out of it, and we even got a great photo of the moment.

Did you nudge John Michael onto the stage? As far as the acting bug goes, what do you see in him that you see in yourself?

Our family’s theater roots run deep—we’ve been part of PPT since the old Hedrick Little Theater days. My mom [Cecelia Hughes] served on the board when the Meroney opened, and my sister [Elizabeth Muth] has been involved both on and off stage—she was even PPT’s Marketing Director during the Norvell’s capital campaign and grand opening. So it’s been incredibly special to watch John Michael fall in love with acting and thrive in the very theaters that mean so much to our family.

He’s grown up around theater and music, but this was all him. My mom signed him up for a PPT summer acting camp when he was barely six, and that was it—he was hooked. Seeing him embrace something that was such a big part of my own childhood—and truly love it—has been one of the greatest joys of parenting.

What is your day job, and would you like to return to the stage at some point?

I’m an airline pilot, which means I’m not home consistently enough to commit to a full production. I did recently take part in a murder mystery event, which was a blast, and I’d love to share the stage with John Michael someday. For now, though, being a stage parent is exactly where I want to be. I get to cheer him on as he does what he loves. Honestly, it’s the best role I’ve ever had.

John Michael, you’re playing Ollie. Tell us a bit about him. Are you anything like him in real life?

Ollie is one of “the worst kids in the history of the world.” He is super mischievous. He gets into a lot of trouble and won’t share. In the stealing-food scene, I get a cupcake and I won’t share it. But at the end, when I go to church and see everyone else being respectful, I want to do what they’re doing — I want to learn respect. I’m kind of like him because I sometimes do get into trouble with my brother, I LOVE cupcakes, and I make a huge mess!

You’ve been in plays at the Norvell. What has it been like to graduate to the Meroney stage?

It’s been really cool! I like working with the grown-ups because they take it really seriously — like I want to. It’s a bigger stage, and I’m happy that more people will get to see the play. It’s definitely more challenging, but it’s also funner! This is a bigger production, so it can be hard to stay focused since there are so many people to talk with — and I have so many things to say!At the Norvell, the rehearsals don’t last as long. For Meroney shows we have more rehearsals and they’re longer — going until past my bedtime most nights.

What made you want to become an actor?

I saw a bunch of plays and thought, “Wow, they’re good!” I wanted to be like the actors. So I auditioned for the next play, which was The Wizard of Oz. I got a pretty fun part — Toto! I wanted to meet new friends, and I think acting is really fun!

Who is your biggest fan?

My whole family — especially Cece, my grandmother, who brings me to all of my rehearsals. My acting friends and I like supporting each other and that’s really great.

The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever (The Musical), based on the book by Barbara Robinson, runs December 5-14 at the Meroney in downtown Salisbury. Tickets are selling fast, so get yours at piedmontplayers.com or call 704-633-5471.

In partnership with Rowan Helping Ministries to help fight food insecurity in our community, audience members are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations to help stock the shelves for local families in need.

As a thank-you, anyone who brings four qualifying food items will receive one free non-alcoholic concession item during the show. These items are peanut butter and jelly, canned yams and green beans, stuffing mix, canned hams, canned soups, breakfast items (oatmeal, cereal, granola bars), beans (canned or bagged), canned fruit, and fruit cups.

All donations will go directly to Rowan Helping Ministries’ self-shop pantry, where families can choose the foods that best meet their needs. Join Piedmont Players this holiday season as we come together through theatre to support our neighbors.