SATURDAY MORNING AT THE NATIONAL - FREE PERFORMANCES! - 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Due to ongoing renovations at the National Theatre, performances will be at two locations:
September 22 through October 27: Marriott Metro Center Hotel, 775 12th St, NW, Ballroom Level .
The Metro Station is METRO CENTER, 12th and G Streets exit.
November through April: Helen Hayes Gallery at the National Theatre. 1321 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.

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. 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 22 - Marriott Metro Center - Ballroom Level - Salon E
THE LADY OF BULLYBURG
Join Lady Kindness in BRIGHT STAR CHILDREN’S THEATRE's captivating fairy tale, as she embarks on a journey to save her village from a visiting bully. With help from a local merchant - and children in the audience - she finds the empowering strength within herself to stand up to the bullying brute, restoring peace and happiness to the town.

Sep 29 - Marriott Metro Center - Ballroom Level - Salon E
HAVE A BALL WITH SPENCER “SPINNY” JOHNSON
Kids get into the act with a Globe Trotter alumnus and basketball star, celebrated for high scoring and totally astonishing trick-shot artistry. SPINNY gives a dynamic display of digital dexterity, and kids of all ages step up and join him! Behind the dazzling fast-action tricks, are inspiring lessons in respect, goal-setting, and self-confidence.

Oct 13- Marriott Metro Center - Ballroom Level - Salon E
STAND UP AND ROCK WITH KINDERMAN
Song-and-dance super-hero KINDERMAN involves even the littlest children in his high-energy act. This whirlwind performer mixes ancient African call-and-response technique with his “Disco King” background, creating a maelstrom of energy, excitement and laughing fun. The kids will be jumping up and down with joy before the morning is over.

OCT 20- Marriott Metro Center - Ballroom Level - Salon E
JACK & THE BEANSTALK
This lively musical presented by THEATRE IV recounts the classic exploits of a young boy who trades the family cow for three magic beans. The beans, tossed out the window by Jack’s disappointed mother, grow into a giant beanstalk that leads to fabulous treasures, an ill-tempered giant and more adventures than you can shake a stalk at!

OCT 27- Marriott Metro Center - Ballroom Level - Salon E
GHOSTS, GOBLINS & NOT TOO-SCARY HALLOWEEN STORIES
First up is BARRYMORE EAGLE’S COSTUME PARADE, so bring the kids in their charming or wild Halloween get-ups! Next the improvisational troupe NOW THIS! will create stories of somewhat spooky but harmless monsters along with fun and funky ghouls & ghosties, based on the children’s ideas and participation.

NOV 3 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
THE MAESTRO
It's performance time, and the kids become the clumsy conductor's orchestra! They create a crescendo of confusion and hilarity. Mime extraordinaire MARK JASTER is entangled in an unruly chair, embattled by an obstreperous insect, and assaulted by a stubborn music stand. But he manages to make music with his young "musicians," some odd instruments, and an old saw!

NOV 17 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
REPTILE WORLD
Exotic creatures star in this amazing presentation. MICHAEL SHWEDICK and his beguiling animal friends, teach kids some thrilling and invaluable lessons about the ecology and themselves. Adults will be awed by MICHAEL’s ability to present alligators, snakes and other sometimes scary reptiles, without frightening even the youngest children.

DEC 1 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
MISS NELSON HAS A FIELD DAY!
Miss Viola Swamp determines to shape up the Horace B. Smedley School football team! The “Tornadoes” just can’t seem to win a game, and are in fact considered to be the worst team in the state. It up to the “meanest substitute teacher in the world” to turn them around in this energetic musical comedy presented by THEATRE WEST VIRGINIA.

DEC 8 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
WOW! BANJOS ROCK!
Enjoy some mighty fine 5-string banjo pickin' as BANJERDAN delights children and adults alike with bluegrass and American folk music. The kids will love such animal tunes such as "Old MacDonald" and "The Lady Who Swallowed a Fly." The show ends with a high-octane version of Dan's own yet-to become-a-gold record-hit "Dance, Dance, Dance (But Don't Take Off Your Pants)!"

DEC 15 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
This merry holiday treat is inspired by the beloved and timeless poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," as well as by the real life-story of its author, Clement Moore. With songs and music, THEATRE IV has created a warm but hilarious version of the play, introducing Santa in a particularly beneficent light. It’s a jolly prelude to your yuletide season!

JAN 12 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
AN ELIZABETHAN FESTIVAL
Travel back with us to Merrie Olde England in the days of Elizabeth I, beloved as "Good Queen Bess." Authentically costumed musicians, singers, dancers and actors of all ages from THE WASHINGTON REVELS will present a comic mummers play and wonderful music, song and dance that you might have heard and seen in cities and towns in the 16th and 17th centuries.

JAN 26 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
THAT YO-YO-GUY AND THE SCIENCE OF SPIN
This dazzling and skillful manipulation of yo-yo's, tops and other spin toys demonstrates some principles basic to aviation and space exploration. DICK STOHR, a full-time yo-yo professional and prize-winning champion, puts a sizzling and surprising spin on gyroscopic stability. You'll hardly believe your eyes as you watch his feats of gravity-defying, dizzying dexterity!

FEB 2 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
THE NICOLO WHIMSEY SHOW
Zany Jester #336699 and the AMAZING QUEEN OF WHIMSEY present a fast-paced extravaganza of circus skills, carnival comedy, boisterous bravado and vaudeville variety -- with juggling, pantomime, accordion and musical saw. Audience participation and MUSCULINA, THE WORLD’s STRONGEST WOMAN add to the riotous mirth and merriment.

FEB 9 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
JUST-SO STORIES
In the character of “Peachy Carnahan,” CHRIS DAVIS guides us from the Howling Desert to the Great Grey-Green Greasy Limpopo River to the Dusty High Veldt and beyond! Along the way young and old alike take part in bringing to life such wonder-filled tall tales as “How the Camel Got Its Hump,” “The Story of the First Cat” and “The Sing-Song of Old-Man Kangaroo.”

FEB 23 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
PEE WEE PIRATE SHOW
Captain Jean and her new crew -- the audience -- hoist sail and embark for distant shores on MARY ANN JUNG’s exciting 16th-century ocean voyage. Visiting exotic ports, they come to Inca territory, and learn to speak Quechua words. All hands learn sailor’s jargon and shipshape etiquette in this adventurous voyage on the high seas.

MAR 1 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
THE FROG PRINCE
When a spoiled princess drops her golden ball into a well, a noble frog retrieves it – in exchange for her promise of friendship. The princess breaks her promise, and must face the music in this colorful, funny, faithful adaptation of the classic folk story. The THEATRE IV production features an ensemble of marvelous amphibian puppets.

Barrymore Eagle's KIDS' ART & KOLORING KONTEST begins today, so pick up your entry blanks!

MAR 8 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
THE LITTLE BREAD HEN
Why won’t the other animals help the Little Hen bake her bread, anyway? Journey with us to a small European bakery as the BAREFOOT PUPPET THEATRE cooks up the answer in this hilarious retelling of the popular fable! Clever puppets, innovative staging and a surprise ending -- plus the aroma of real fresh bread baking behind the scenes – will delight one and all!

MAR 15 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
FURIA FLAMENCA!
The passion and ferocity of signature Spanish dance transports the children across the ocean to sunny southern Spain through emotionally explosive, technically refined, and dynamically choreographed dances. The traditional gypsy style melds with modern flamenco creating an enthralling and totally entertaining performance.

MAR 29 - The Helen Hayes Gallery
SWORDS AND CHIVALRY
Derring-do swashbuckling action marks this demonstration by JIM FRANK and TOM PLOTT. Showing various kinds of swords, these masters of stage combat display the elegant quick-silver moves which have made the sword-fighting of knights, pirates and buccaneers as much a refined art as a skillful discipline. Safety warnings are packaged with the fun.

APR 5- The Helen Hayes Gallery
BILL DICKSON: THE ART OF MYSTERY
An enchanting performance with live doves and candles, comedy, audience participation and astonishment are hallmark’s of the magic of BILL DICKSON and his charming wife. Adults will be as mesmerized as children by the amazing feats of this suave wizard, who may make you doubt what your eyes tell you is happening.

LAST DAY to turn in entries for
BARRYMORE EAGLE'S KIDS' ART & KOLORING KONTEST!.

APR 12 -The Helen Hayes Gallery
THE UGLY DUCKLING
The swan who grows up “ugly" in a family of ducks, finds later that his appearance is changing as he discovers his true identity. He encounters a Burmese mole that hates dirt, and an Inuit bald eagle with a full head of hair. This "misfit" trio gains self-confidence through friendship and accomplishment in THEATRE IV’s singing, dancing, delightful musical.

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!!

HAVE A HAPPY SUMMER AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE FALL!!

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