The National Theatre announced the fall line-up for its perennially popular family programming series SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! AT THE NATIONAL. The series, previously “Saturday Morning at The National,” will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2020. Twelve wide-ranging programs celebrating beloved children’s classics, the world in which we live, and more will delight and enlighten families and their friends. While the programming is designed for children aged four to ten, all ages are welcome to the intimate Helen Hayes Gallery of The National Theatre. Each production will have two performances, beginning at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
September 14 – December 21, 2019
Saturday mornings at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Helen Hayes Gallery at The National Theatre
September 14, 2019
The Wizard of Oz
Bright Star Theatre
The comedic duo of Lenny and Mabel take the audience down the Yellow Brick Road in a quest for adventure in the Land of Oz. All the familiar favorites – the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow – find courage, brains, and more in this retelling of the L. Frank Baum classic.
September 21, 2019
Reptile World
Michael Schwedick
Exotic creatures headline this much-loved National Theatre tradition, combining Michael Swedick’s lessons on ecology with his unique way of providing intriguing, up close, kid-friendly encounters with alligators, snakes, and other fascinating reptiles.
September 28, 2019
Christylez Bacon
D.C.’s own Human Beatbox, Grammy®-nominated Progressive Hip Hop Artist Christylez Bacon, combines rhyming, storytelling, and interactive call and response choruses to deliver a message of cultural acceptance and unification, all within a mosaic of musical styles ranging from jazz to hip hop.
October 5, 2019
Jack’s Adventure in Space
Bright Star Theatre
It’s out-of-this-world space travel, as Jack takes families on a tour of the solar system, from Mercury all the way through to the controversial Pluto. The imaginative galaxy guide is packed with fun facts about each planet and its path around the sun.
October 12, 2019
The Three Not So Little Pigs
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre, Inc.
The beloved fairy tale gets an engaging twist as Little Yellow Pig (musician), Little Blue Pig (mechanic), and Little Red Pig (architect) learn that cooperation is the key to success and happiness.
October 26, 2019
Mark Lohr: Classic Comedy
Young Audiences of Maryland
Meet Mr. Jones, who will battle with furniture, juggle, spin plates and more in this fun-filled roller coaster ride of performance art. Creator and performer Mark Lohr has closely studied the comedic masters Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, and has melded that inspiration and other elements into his unique style.
November 2, 2019
The Really Big Dinosaur Show
Rainbow Puppet Productions
This musical time travel goes back to the era of the dinosaurs, with a dancing T-Rex, a dinosaur beauty pageant, and, true to the name of the show, a long-necked dinosaur that measures 16 feet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail.
November 9, 2019
The Uncle Devin Show
Uncle Devin uses percussion to introduce families to jazz, funk, reggae, hip hop, and Latin beats. Interweaving storytelling and music, his delightful show is positive and uplifting.
November 16, 2019
Thumbelina
Virginia Repertory Theatre
This charming, funny, and joyous musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story features all the beloved characters: toad, fish, field mouse, mole, swallow, and, of course, Thumbelina herself. It’s a delightful exploration of nature’s tiny enchanted world.
November 23, 2019
Pinot & Augustine
Happenstance Theater
From Happenstance Theater, called by the Washington Post “DC’s leading peddler of whimsy,” comes the beloved pairing of Pinot and Augustine, a favorite of The National Theatre’s young audiences. Melodic surprises and physical comedy fuse to create an enthralling experience.
December 14, 2019
Nutcracker
Virginia Ballet Company and School
It’s a National Theatre holiday tradition: selections from Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet performed by the Virginia Ballet Company and School. Dancing sugar plums and snowflakes abound, the gingerbread soldiers triumph over the evil Rat King, and Clara goes on her magical journey to the Land of Sweets.
December 21, 2019
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Virginia Repertory Theatre
The careworn Clement Moore is struggling to compose a Christmas poem; he is uninspired until his eyes and heart are opened with the help of his Dutch gardener Kris Kringle, a couple of dancing mice, and the loving, joyous images of his own home and family. He then pens the immortal opening words, “’Twas the night before Christmas.”
SPONSORSHIP:
“SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! AT THE NATIONAL” is made possible by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Inc., and Marriot International, Inc.
TICKETS:
Tickets are free and may be reserved by visiting www.thenationaldc.org beginning eight days prior to performances. Reservations close at 10 a.m. the Friday before the performance. Patrons should plan to arrive ten minutes prior to show time to check in. Unclaimed reserved tickets will be released to patrons waiting in the stand-by line five minutes before the show. Walk-up tickets are also available, and will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the start time of the show on a first come, first served, basis. Seating is limited, so early arrival is recommended.
For more information, visit http://thenationaldc.com/saturday-morning-national/.
Leave a Reply