25th YEAR! - FREE PERFORMANCES! - 6 pm and 7:30 pm, in the Helen Hayes Gallery, National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave, NW - Information available at 202-783-3372. Seating is limited!! Tickets are Required, and are Distributed without charge one Half-Hour Prior to Performance, on a First-Come First-Served policy. This weekly showcase in the Fall, Winter and Spring, features local performers, and provides free quality live entertainment to the Greater Washington Area community. Original plays, singers, musical ensembles, dance, drama and comedy are on the bill.

January 31 - AN EVENING WITH CAROL CHANNING STARRING RICHARD SKIPPER - Tonight is Ms. Channing's Birthday! Come celebrate it with RICHARD SKIPPER, who brings the legendary star to life in an audience-interactive loving tribute to the Life and Legend that is Carol Channing! This is an all-live, no lip-synch, singing portrait. Mr. Skipper adroitly channels Ms. Channing's generous spirit, wit and sparkling showmanship. Among his gems are her signature pieces "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and - of course - "Hello, Dolly!" www.richardskipper.com/index.html

February 7 - THE WRESTLING SEASON - LAURIE BROOKS’ riveting play, presented by TRUMPET VINE THEATRE COMPANY, follows eight high school seniors grappling with explosive challenges. Best friends Matt and Luke are competing for slots on the school wrestling team against rivals Willy and Jolt. Willy, unable to beat Luke on the wrestling mat, spreads a rumor that Matt and Luke are gay lovers. Harassment, broken friendships and violence ensue.

February 14 - LOVE SONGS FROM LARKSONG - Our Valentine's Day celebration features romantic love songs of the 16th century, and some contemporary love songs as well. LARKSONG, a band of enchanting a cappella balladeers, make musical magic in elaborate period garb. They will address love unrequited, love lost, and of course best of all, love found and enduring! Bring your Valentine! Dress: Red and White, Elizabethan or Renaissance! www.larksongsings.com

February 28 - BEHIND THE SCENES AT CITY OF PEACE - Tonight we go "backstage" as SANDI HOLLOWAY, director of the remarkable youth group CITY AT PEACE, makes arresting theatre out of real-life drama. In improvised scenes of uncompromising candor - developed as you watch - frustrated young people turn anger, pain and injustice into scenes of explosive power. As they confront shattered pieces of their lives, these young actors fight through to new insights in a musical finale of exhilarating power.
www.cityatpeacedc.org

March 7 - LEACE RENEWED - Donal Leace, in a rare local appearance, weaves musical magic with the slow melodic ballads which are his trademark. He sings passionately of social justice, equal rights, love and life. His work - with roots in West Virginia and American folk song - also vibrates with the rhythms of South Africa and Cuba. Donal's lyrics can bristle with political barbs, while his melodies seduce with velvet tenderness. www.ethnicartists.com/donalleace/default.htm

March 14 - SPRING ON THE SILK ROAD - For the people of Iran and Central Asia, the New Year begins on the Vernal Equinox and is observed with feasting, dance and ritual. Join this celebration of new life - joyous, exuberant women's dances performed in breathtakingly sumptuous costumes. Glimpse a world little known in the West. Steeped in tradition, but timely as the seasons, these dances intrigue and entrance.
www.silkroaddance.com/

March 21 - An Evening of Music from "The President's Own" - Chamber Ensembles from the "The President's Own" United States Marine Band present a concert of classical selections performed with the precision and blue-ribbon musicianship for which this group is famed. Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, "The President's Own" is the nation's oldest musical organization and is the single Washington cultural institution operating today which predates the opening of this theatre in 1835.

April 4- SINGULAR SENSATIONS - Dazzling energy and exuberant entertainment rule when these talented teenage singers and dancers from the celebrated MUSICAL THEATER CENTER of Rockville take the stage. Come along and listen to a sparkling celebration of songs from Broadway's most famous musicals. You'll be tapping your toes and singing along before the evening is over.

Apr 11 - DAKSHINA /DANIEL PHOENIX SINGH & COMPANY - Enjoy an evening of unique dance. First, Bharata Natyam--a classical Indian dance form that traces its roots back 2000 years. We will see an exquisite invocatory dance to the elephant-headed god Ganesh, who is the remover of obstacles. This will be followed by a mesmerizing abhinaya performance, a dance in which mime and facial expression fascinatingly intertwine. Last is a pure dance experiment in abstract movement set to complex rhythmic cycles. www.dakshina.org/index.php

These programs are made possible through the generous support of
THE MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION
and the Trustees of the National Theatre.
The National Theatre is deeply appreciative of this valued assistance.
The series is produced by Donn B. Murphy. Todd Clark is MC, with Hosts Allison Canada and Walter Jones.

** Parental guidance suggested for children under 13 years of age for shows marked with .