Seating is limited!! Tickets are Required, and are Distributed Without charge one Half-Hour Prior to Performance, on a First-Come First-Served basis. Children must be accompanied by an adult who remains present for the entire performance.

For a Program Schedule, Send a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to "Saturday Morning," National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. Recorded program information is also available at 202-783-3372.
Sponsored by Marriott

SEPTEMBER 16
MONKEYS IN THE HOUSE
Flap your arms, tap your feet and release your inner monkey as you enjoy comedy, a little magic, a couple of cool juggling tricks and the wild antics of the zany JOHN HADFIELD. He sings the tango “Because We’re Dogs,” the rollicking blues number “I’m Your Toaster,” and a duet with his imaginary friend Tippytoes. These irresistible songs and John’s foolishness will amuse the adults as much as the kids.

SEPTEMBER 23
THE MANIACAL MARVELS OF TONY KLUSMEYER
Crazy comedy and incredible illusions abound as TONY, THE MADCAP MAGICIAN, stretches his charming assistant beyond belief in his "Mini Kube Zag," thrusts sabers through her in his "Lighted Sword Cabinet," and makes her vanish completely in the folds of his puzzling "Origami." Tony, himself, attempts to escape from a strait-jacket while being pelted with Beanie Babies by the kids!

SEPTEMBER 30
ENOUGH ALREADY! STORIES OF GREED, GRACE AND GRATITUDE
When MEGAN HICKS spins her stories, the kids get to join in. A Hungarian fable, “The Little Rooster and the Diamond Button,” incorporates a lot of audience wing flapping and crowing. In “The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle,” the youngsters predict what the old woman is doing whenever a fairy flits down to visit her. Also included is Dr. Seuss’ beloved “Yertle the Turtle.”

OCTOBER 14
THE TRUE STORY OF POCAHONTAS
The brave and resourceful Native American maiden meets the English Captain John Smith across a broad cultural divide, in a presentation by THEATRE IV. British aristocrats take advantage of the people they call “savages,” in an atmosphere of conflict and mysterious prophecies. Pocahontas, a peace-maker, strives heroically against all odds to create understanding and harmony.

OCTOBER 21
COMEDY, JUGGLING & OTHER DISASTERS
Whether perched atop a tall unicycle or flinging apples, balls and knives into the air, RICH POTTER is an unstoppable whirlwind of offbeat and off-balance juggling and humor. His skill, style and spontaneity will leave the kids screaming with laughter and begging for more! Parents and grandparents will enjoy him as much as the youngsters.

OCTOBER 28
NOW THIS! SPOOKY STORIES FOR HALLOWEEN
A zany improv troupe working with split-second timing transforms kids’ ideas into instant songs, comic stories and mini-musical fairy tales, with goofy goblins, groaning ghosts and wacky witches. Children see their own suggestions magically morphed into life, while adults marvel at the impulsive wit which brings this off-the-cuff invention to the stage. Scary, but really not too scary for the kids. Come in costume for Barrymore Eagle’s Kostume Parade!

NOVEMBER 4
JESSIE & JAMES: GONE TO THE DOGS!
With Hank, Chico and Samie, their three “misbehaving mutts,” Jessie and James bring you a show full of hilarious merriment and sheer canine delight. Amazing animal feats, juggling, jokes and laughter highlight this fast-paced entertainment. Doggies have never been more fun and fascinating! You’ll be barking with laughter!

NOVEMBER 18
THE SWORD IN THE STONE
Long ago an ancient wizard declared, "Whoever draws the sword from the stone shall be the one true king!" A volunteer from the audience joins MATTHEW PAULI in an attempt to tell the story and find out what happens when the one trying to pull the sword is just a lowly fool. Silly slapstick comedy, and a bit of sorcery, make a delightful treat.

DECEMBER 2
THE SNOW SHOW
Join Master Puppeteer BOB BROWN in a jolly, fun-filled romp through a winter wonderland vaudeville, as his delightful trick marionettes perform incredible feats of skill and daring that will leave kids of all ages shouting with laughter! Fun and fantasy – mirth and merriment, giggles and amazement all to the accompaniment of your favorite holiday music!

DECEMBER 9
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Charles Dickens classic comes to life with music and lyrics by Broadway’s Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, presented by THEATRE IV. This richly heart-warming holiday story is told in an adaptation particularly suited to children. All the joy, sentiment and meaning are here, without being too scary for young audiences.

JANUARY 20
TOM & THE MAGIC PIG
Let’s just say that this one-man-one-pot-bellied-pig show is one-of-a-kind! TOM works his comedy magic with ropes and rings, balloons and surprises -- with a little help from the kids. He mystifies as he puts you in stitches. He is joined by PAM THE PSYCHIC HAM, the world’s only porcine clairvoyant. She reads the mind of someone in the audience. This ham knows all and she squeals!

JANUARY 27
SHAKESPEARE’S MAGICAL WIZARD: OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Descendant of Prospero and Puck, Renaissance Sorcerer and Court Jester MICHAEL TAGGERT mystifies and amuses in equal measure. Kids are delighted as handkerchiefs and balls disappear and change places. A “young magician” volunteer helps Michael teach the audience some magic, with hilarious results. Adults as well as children will be awestruck when Michael floats into the air!

FEBRUARY 3
FAIRYLAND and THE FANTASY OF THE RED-EYED CREATURE
Storytellers ROBERT AUBRY DAVIS and BETSY SMALL, with pianist-composer HASKELL SMALL, weave a spell with magical musical fables. First we are transported to old Norway with a delightful musical fairy tale of princesses, castles and trolls. Then we travel to coastal Nova Scotia with the Smalls' adventure tale of three children who befriend a mysterious red-eyed creature in a crystal cave.

FEBRUARY 10
SHAKESPEARE’S FAIRE QUEENE
In the person and full regalia of Her Majesty Elizabeth I of England, MARY ANN JUNG channels William Shakespeare’s patron queen. The children will enjoy an adventure in Elizabethan pastimes and customs including dancing, food, theatre-going and proper court etiquette. Even the youngest children can participate, learning courtly bows and deportment, as history comes alive for them.

FEBRUARY 24
PATCHWORK: THE LITTLE HOUSE QUILTS OF LAURA INGALLS WILDER
Laura and her family crossed the wild and perilous American frontier by covered wagon in the 1800's. Along the way she sewed patchwork quilts whose patterns recall her strong and caring Pa, her heroic sister, Mary, and her warm-hearted Ma. Join the Ingalls in their inspiring journey through hardships, triumphs, wonder and faith. Their tale is told in story and song by THEATRE IV.

MARCH 3
WAY, WAAAY OFF BALANCE!
Enjoy the insane nuttiness and quick-witted jests of physical comedian MICHAEL ROSMAN. His zany show includes props such as blenders and bowling balls, 12-inch bikes and a 6-foot unicycles. Expect original comedy, incredible stunts, nose balancing, audience participation and tons of laughter. This show is a blast!

MARCH 10
SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO & JULIET
First we enjoy a brief preview of the play, in which the children in the audience -- even pre-schoolers -- are invited to take part. We then see a staged and costumed version of Romeo & Juliet, adapted and abridged especially for youngsters of all ages, and performed by the students of STAGEPLAY under the direction of HEATHER SANDERSON. Music, dance and swordplay enliven the presentation.

MARCH 17
THE LAUREEN O’NEILL-JAMES IRISH DANCERS
Top of this morning to you as we all become Irish for St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrate with us in a whirl of Irish dancing. Enjoy jigs and step-dancing by dancers of all ages wearing colorful and authentic costumes. Volunteers from the audience will have an opportunity to step up and learn some of the steps themselves. Don’t forget “the wearin’ of the green” this fine day!

MARCH 24
RED RIDING HOOD
In this CLASSIKA THEATRE marionette show, Red Riding hood travels to her grandmother’s house with a basket of goodies, but on her way, she encounters fascinating characters not in the traditional fairy tale. Among them are the Timorous Rabbit, the Hungry Bear, and the Sly Fox. Red Riding Hood discovers how the good animals of the forest band together, look after each other, and live bravely and harmoniously. Not a bad idea.

MARCH 31
THE YOJO SHOW!
You have to love YoJo, the silliest big fuzzy guy anyone could ever hope to meet. He’s a huge fun-loving ball of blue fur. His high-energy comedy, CHOOSE TO READ, is filled with slapstick, laughter, comic mishaps, and a good message, too, as the kids in the audience, learn that “the more you read, the smarter you get!”

APRIL 7
TALES AS TALL AS THE SKY
Three children, sitting in their tree house on a hot summer day are bored and complain that they have nothing exciting to do in a THEATRE IV show which is anything but boring. When one produces a book of American Tall Tales, the three begin to explore the wild and adventurous stories of Pecos Bill, John Henry and Hurricane Hallie, bringing to life these larger-than-life characters.

APRIL 14
MOTHER GOOSE AND HER FABULOUS PUPPET FRIENDS
Mother Goose appears with her giant goose and puppet friends, Jack and Jill. They sing the rhymes of Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffet, Jack Horner and others, play games, and talk about what life was like 250 years ago, when these poems were first written. DIANE LIGON is Mother Goose, with unique puppets designed by Ksenya Litvak, direction by Lilia Slavova, and music arrangements by Micah Levy.

CAMERAS - You are encouraged to bring a camera to shows marked with our camera icon. You make take (non-flash) photos of the performances, and of your children enjoying, and often participating in, our shows! Children are also invited to bring autograph books to get signatures from the performers.

Saturday Morning at the National has been sponsored exclusively since its inception by
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC., and THE J. WILLARD AND ALICE S. MARRIOTT FOUNDATION.
The shows are best appreciated by children four years and older.