SATURDAY MORNING AT THE NATIONAL - FREE PERFORMANCES! - 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Helen Hayes Gallery at the National Theatre. 1321 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. - Sponsored by Marriott

Seating is limited!! Tickets are Required, and are Distributed Without Charge one Half-Hour Prior to Performance, on a First-Come First-Served basis, one ticket only, to each person standing in line.. 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.  Shows are best appreciated by children four years old and older.

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, Inc.

SEP 13 - CARRIE’S DREAM - This is the engaging true story of an African American girl growing up in the rural South during the early 20th c Highly interactive, with Southern songs and sing-a-longs, the performance reflects the warmth, humor, pathos and struggles of family life in a segregated society. CHARISMA WOOTEN directs her adaptation of the book by B. LaVERNE WILKIN. - Today is ARTS ON FOOT DAY!  Enjoy a multimedia Festival that kicks off the fall arts season in Downtown DC’s Penn Quarter. Incorporating visual art, music, theatre, dance, film, and creative cuisine, it’s an interactive celebration the whole family will enjoy.

SEP 20 - BILLY GOATS GRUFF-KIN - In this classic Scandinavian story, three goats must cross a river to find delicious grass to munch, but a gnarly troll bars the bridge! Using "mind over matter," each of the clever goats outwits the snarky troll. This charming marionette play is presented by BLACK CHERRY PUPPET THEATER, with enchanting hand-carved figures.

SEP 27 - A BARD DAY’S NIGHT - First, enjoy some Elizabethan Revelry, in which children in the audience are invited to take part. Then a staged version of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, adapted for youngsters of all ages. This high-spirited and amusing play is performed by the students of STAGEPLAY, under the direction of HEATHER SANDERSON, with music and songs by The Beatles.

OCT 4 - SIR HACK OF ABERDEEN & JINGLES THE JOLLY JESTER - Sally forth into the medieval world of castles, kings, and damsels in distress. Knight Dennis and his faithful side-kick Jingles find adventures aplenty with mirth and merriment along the way. Some valuable lessons in chivalry and good behavior are woven into the quest. Master Ventriloquist DENNIS DANIELS, AKA “MR. D.”, is the wily wizard who makes it all happen.
OCT 18
BERT THE NERD THRILL SHOW
Laughs! Thrills! Danger! Bert sets his audiences on fire - but in a good way! He performs amazing feats of skill, daring stunts and incredible magic -- and then he opens his suitcase! Perched atop a unicycle flinging around knives and bowling pins, or simply smashing crackers with a sledgehammer, he commands the forces of gravity but is defeated by his necktie. RICH POTTER is Bert.

OCT 25 - DEFYING GRAVITY
A magic wand flies about the stage, and a ball floats out of the hands of MAGICIAN BENJAMIN COREY, hovering mysteriously in space! Cards appear out of thin air, and objects which disappear reappear in the hands of the audience. You help make it all happen in this interactive comedy magic experience for the whole family!

NOV 1 - THE MOM AND ME SHOW - Meet ROSANNE, MEGAN and the lovable DENNIS THE DAZED DUCK for a fast-paced musical romp. Children sing along to the kid-friendly lyrics of all-original songs: Planting Seeds, the Echo Song, I Love America, Na Na Na, the Cowpoke Song, Stand and Shake, We Get Around, Running, Friends, the Brushing Song, and of course: Dennis the Duck’s own theme song!

NOV 15 - STONE SOUP - The hungry sailor Peter gets no food from the stingy citizens of a tiny village. Turning the tables on them, he invites the villagers to a Stone Soup Dinner. He will provide the stone if they provide the vegetables. The villagers learn a lesson in friendship and sharing from Peter and his trusty parrot Admiral in THEATRE IV’s musical retelling of the classic folktale.

NOV 22 - BOOGIE WOOGIE BOW WOWS - Enjoy a morning Dancing with Dogs: These terpsichorean pooches are the canine answer to Fred and Ginger. JOAN ROSE and her miniature longhair dachshund TUCKER, with LYNN FRANKLIN and her standard poodle SAM, present a a fast-paced romp set to music. The doggies ride a skateboard, jump through hoops, and cavort with their human partners. Volunteers join the doggies on stage.

DEC 6 - TREASUREQUEST: PIRATE COMEDY AND MAGIC
Captain Nobeard is a no good, lying, scoundrel of a pirate who has misplaced a treasure. Until he finds the true map, he is cursed to search the waters where the treasure was lost. Can a pirate use a little magic and some help from the audience to find the truth and restore the treasure? Come along as MATTHEW PAULI leads this comical misadventure.

DEC 13 - THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS: A CHRISTMAS TREAT - Get in the Christmas Spirit as Debra and Benn Savage and the BALLET ARTS ENSEMBLE OF FAIRFAX present their “Nutcracker in a Nutshell.” From Act II of Tchaikovsky’s classic, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Chinese Dancers, and the other celebrated characters bring you elegant and amusing holiday cheer.

JAN 24 - Barrymore Eagle's KIDS' ART & KOLORING KONTEST begins today, so pick up your entry blanks!
MICHAEL ROSMAN: AIR-BOURNE! - Fast-paced juggling - let’s say an apple, a baseball and a chain-saw, or a dozen cigar boxes - is the specialty of this most unusual performer. MICHAEL keeps the kids entranced and the adults amazed with unicycling, magic and audience participation. You won’t stop laughing because his mischievous humor is zany, off-beat and totally irresistible.

JAN 31 - NATIVE AMERICAN STORYTELLING - The remarkable “MAMA” MARY SUNBEAM, a Cherokee Indian in ancestral regalia, tells stories born of a lifetime of personal and tribal experiences. Her legends define "The Circle of Life" which binds us together in respect for self, family, community, and our environmental ecosystem. Interactive drumming, singing, and movement enhance this uniquely enriching experience.

FEB 7 - AMERICAN ODYSSEY - Hats off to America! Hats on, as RAY OWEN conducts a musical journey through history, with a crew of colorful characters who step right out of the pages of our heritage songbook. A cowboy hat and coon-skin tails, revolutionary tri-corner and rebel cap - and Uncle Sam’s own tall top-hat - set the tone for this upbeat cavalcade of popular and patriotic songs.

FEB 21 - UNDER THE SEA - Journey to the deep with a marine biologist to meet a world of fascinating creatures such as crabs, clams, conches, eels and blow fish. The tiniest of these live sea dwellers will be clearly seen through live video on a large screen. Kids learn about marine ecology while meeting amazing vertebrates and invertebrates who thrive beneath the ocean waves.

FEB 28 - KINDERCISE! - All kids up on your feet as song-and-dance super-hero KINDERMAN involves even the littlest children in his high-energy exercise act! This whirlwind performer mixes ancient African call-and-response technique with his "Disco King" background, creating a whirlwind of energy, excitement and laughing fun. The kids will be jumping with joy before the morning is over.

MAR 7 - MOTHER GOOSE AND HER FABULOUS PUPPET FRIENDS - Jack and Jill sing the rhymes of Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffet, Jack Horner, Hey Diddle Diddle, and others. DIANE LIGON sings original arrangements and in musical styles from classical and opera, to rock and roll, jazz, salsa, disco, and hip hop. The puppets play games, dance, and tell us what life was like 250 years ago when these poems were written.

MAR 14 - JACK AND THE VERY GREEN BEANSTALK
It's St. Patrick's Day at CATRIONA'S CASTLE where the FAIRY GODMOTHER creates an interactive fairy tale play. The kids take part with colorful costumes and fun props. The tale comes to life as the children "dress up" to play Jack, his Mother, the Giant, the Cow, the Magic Harp, the Gold Keeper and others. Everyone helps make sound effects. Wear your green!

MAR 21 - MAGIC & MISCHIEF - You will enjoy BRIAN CURRY’s suave and good-natured jollity as he presents a rollicking roller-coaster of fast-paced comedy and magic, mystifying adults as well as kids. Audience interaction, wacky wordplay, and Brian’s magic with bowling balls, bottles and pickles packs a punch! This really has to be seen to be believed - but then you won’t believe what you think you’re seeing.

MAR 28 - GALACTIKA! - Join star-struck Captain Galactika in a quest to conquer the cosmos. Encountering solar flares, comets, and a couple of dancing aliens named Steve, the trek get complicated! SYNETIC THEATRE blends music, mime, dance and astronomical adventure in this comical cosmic caper - which educates as it entertains, in its exploration of the wonders of our universe.

APR 4 - LAST DAY to turn in entries for BARRYMORE EAGLE'S KIDS' ART & KOLORING KONTEST!.
THUMBELINA - Join Thumbelina, the miniature heroine who emerges from a flower. She encounters Toad, Fish, Field Mouse, Mole and Swallow, in a series of astonishing, delightful and sometimes perplexing adventures in nature’s tiny, enchanted world. THEATRE IV brings Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairytale of heroism and surprise to life in a joyous musical adaptation.

APR 11 - BARRYMORE EAGLE will present prizes today in his KIDS' ART & KOLORING KONTEST. - Don't miss the special fun at our last show of the season! - YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS’ THEATRE: EXPRESS TOUR
Hear the voice of a new generation in three compelling, dynamic and hilarious short plays, written by public school students from the Greater Washington Area, and produced with some of D.C.'s finest professional actors, directors and designers. YPT will amaze, enlighten and delight you with the endless potential and power of our young people. Don’t miss out!

You may take (non-flash) photos of our shows, and of your children enjoying or participating in them! 

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 performances are best appreciated by children four years and older.   The National Theatre is a not-for-profit 501.c.3. organization