Saturday Morning at the National  2001-2002

FREE!!FREE!! FREE!! FREE!! FREE!!
PERFORMANCES at 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Each Saturday Morning

Limited Seating - Tickets  are Distributed
 30 Minutes Before Performance

Helen Hayes Gallery - The National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW - Washington, DC, 20004

For further information, call: 202-783-3372
www.nationaltheatre.org

This series brings children and their families to the National in Fall, Winter and Spring for theatre, music, dance, clowning, juggling, story-telling, magic, nature and science shows.

Inaugurated in 1980, the program has been continually presented under the generous patronage of Marriott International, Inc. and the J. Willard Marriott Foundation from that date forward. The performances were initiated and produced for 14 years by Kathleen M. Barry, and are now produced by Donn B. Murphy.  Patricia Jennings (in white) is M.C., with LuJuan Liles and Deborah Ford as hosts.

Performances are in the Helen Hayes Gallery at the National. Admission is free, but tickets are required, and are distributed 30 minutes before each performance, on a first-come, first-seated basis. Program schedules can be secured by sending 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.

September 22

ADVENTURE THEATRE brings us THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, the classic story in which children discover the enchanted land of Narnia, and help the great lion, Aslan, break the White Witch's spell and bring Christmas, happiness and warmth back to the world. BARRYMORE EAGLE, the National Theatre mascot will be present, so bring your cameras!!!  This is ARTS ON FOOT DAY, with special events downtown for family fun, so after the show, enjoy the festival at many galleries, theatres, food pavilions and outdoor stages in downtown Washington, especially along the 7th Street, NW, corridor.

TRAVELIN' JACK & CO presented by APPLAUSE UNLIMITED introduces an itinerant puppeteer with a hand-puppet booth and a knack for tall tales. Three American folk stories, based on a Jack tale, a slave story-song, and a morality tale celebrate the rough and ready optimism and humor of a new country.
 
 
 

REPTILE WORLD stars colorful and fascinating creatures from all over the world in one of our most amazing presentations. From MICHAEL SHWEDICK children learn thrilling, unforgettable and invaluable lessons about the ecology, themselves and these beguiling animals friends.
 
 
 
 

MAGIC POTS & RECYCLED BOTTLES is an adventure in creativity as a wacky cleaning lady uses throwaways and household objects to create a crew of unforgettable puppet characters. KATHLEEN JACOBS drafts members of the audience who join the puppets to act out hilarious folk tales.
 

THEATRE IV takes you to TREASURE ISLAND! Set sail with young Jim Hawkins in this swashbuckling musical adventure. Meet legendary buccaneers like the salty Billy Bones and the captivating Long John Silver. Generations of children have thrilled to this rollicking tale of a boy's adventure on the high seas.

THE JESTER'S BOX by BLUE SKY PUPPET THEATRE is the story of Ralph the Jester, who sets out to win gold and fame by making the King laugh. He practices his tightrope walk, his magic, and his dancing on hot coals. With the aid of his rag doll Freddie, he amuses the king and wins the prize.
 
 
 

THE RIPPLE EFFECT is an enchanting exploration into the world of water, presented by NEW WORLD Theatre Company. It’s a story as old as the seas, with a quest leading into the future. Using American Sign Language, juggling, magic and fire-eating, this is an exciting and inspiring, fast-paced theatrical presentation about our world's most precious resource.
 

December 1

OH SUSANNAH ! is a festival of various styles of music. Get on your feet, and feel the beat! SUSANNAH and her life-size puppet and dancing partner, Ermengarde will show the kids how to tango, waltz, limbo, electric slide, Charleston, zydeco and square dance. It's a joyful experience you won't forget!
 
 
 
 

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL brings to the screen the classic story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge's discovery of the holiday spirit through Tiny Tim, the Cratchit family, and a series of ghostly visitors. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie and the rest of the Muppet gang enliven this charming musical film.
 
 
 
 
 

December 15

SANTA’S ENCHANTED WORKSHOP - Two children set out for the North Pole to find Santa. They wind up in a dilapidated gas station run by a mysterious old man named Nick.  This joyous THEATRE IV holiday musical treat features a singing robot, a dancing rag doll, and one of the silliest villains around!
 
 
 
 

January 26

THE MAGIC OF JOE ROMANO is a whirlwind of mystery, comedy and mind-teasing illusions, set to the beat of dynamic music and abracadabra mystification.  Sharing the spotlight with Joe and his company is Howard, the Magical Duck, with his death-defying bravado and fine-feathered quackery!
 
 

Due to illness, SUE COURNOYER - GLEE MANIA - substituted for Babar with GOLDIE LOCKS HAS AN ATTITUDE

THE STORE OF BABAR, THE LITTLE ELEPHANT, follows our hero's trip to the Big City where he meets the Kind Old Lady and acquires his handsome green suit and derby hat, before returning to the forest to become King of the Elephants. ROBERT AUBREY DAVIS narrates, HASKELL SMALL provides music.
 

PETER McCORY - THE ONE-MAN-BAND FOR KIDS is a cross between a drum set and a six-string, guitar-playin,’ kazoo tootin,’ harmonica blower! Moms, dads, young ‘uns and grandparents love his lively interactive show, with kids’ songs from around the world, and Peter’s one-of-a-kind originals.
 
 

February 23

A RENAISSANCE CINDERELLA is sung and played by the STORY MINSTRELS with exciting early European instruments representing the characters: Cinderella (lute), Prince (cornetto), the stepfamily (crumhorns), bird & dogs (recorders), the messenger (rauschfeife), & the Magical Wind of Happiness (harp).
 
 
 

PICCOLO'S PETS features MARK JASTER creating new and familiar animal stories which come to life through the art of mime. Children will enjoy the opportunity to participate as Mark fantasizes a menagerie of deft and amusing creatures, large and small. Adults will marvel at the silent power of mime.
 
 
 

March 9

THE WASHINGTON CHAMBER ENSEMBLE and children of the HARRISBURG OPERA YOUTH CHORUS present a songfest of pieces from opera as well as novelty tunes and popular children's melodies in several languages.  The program is poignant as well as humorous, and is presented to the accompaniment of guitar and flute.  The audience is invited to join in a sing-along.

THE PIED PIPER - Hamlin is full of rats! They're popping out of chimneys, flowerpots, dustbins and hats. The mysterious Piper arrives, promising to rid the town of rodents. THEATRE IV's live actors, rat puppets and a wonderful musical score bring this joyful, poignant musical classic to life.
 
 
 
 

GOODLIFE THEATER presents GRANNY'S APPALACHIAN TALES, a high-spirited multicultural visit to a colorful, mountainous region of the United States. Actors, puppets of various sizes and live music bring Granny and her neighbors to life, with toe-tapping exuberance and even a sing-a-long.
 
 

THE RED ROSE is an innovative retelling of the timeless legend of Beauty -- and the Beast who captures and then captivates her with his kindness.  ADVENTURE THEATRE actors use masks and mime in their elegantly simple yet highly theatrical presentation of the discovery of beauty beneath life’s surfaces.
 
 
 
 
 

April  13

BUFFALO SOLDIER is an exciting drama with music, about 110-year-old Jones Morgan, the last surviving Buffalo Soldier and the longest living veteran of the Spanish American War. This THEATRE IV classic salutes some courageous American heroes who are only now receiving long overdue recognition.