An Autumn Full of Live Entertainment

Mice are on the move again this fall at Imagination Stage

As we kick off the new season (because Labor Day is the unofficial start of fall), here’s a heads-up on all kinds of live entertainment coming to local venues.  Shows are listed in order of opening date, and most descriptions come directly from websites and press materials.

Big Apple Circus
Where: Big Top at Dulles Town Center
When: September 20 – October 8
Tickets: $25-75
Travel back to when circus traditions were born and witness incredible acts that would have had the villagers chattering for days! The courageous mid-air flips and catches of a man on the trapeze! A captivating contortionist whose flexibility is as impressive as her steadfast poise! A swaying wire act of sure-footed strength and stability! The dizzying delights of a daring inventor in his tumbling, twirling hoop! A jaw-dropping juggling tango team performing to passionate rhythms! Bicyclists whose spinning wheels turn smooth and speedy stunts! Majestic horses with graceful gaits and playful pups with teasing tricks! And what circus would be complete without bumbling clowns who bring the spirit of timeless comedy?! It’s all led by an affable Ringmaster and the great Big Apple Circus Band playing history’s iconic songs! So run away with the Big Apple Circus and relive Big Tops of old in a memorable one-ring show for the ages!

Carnival of the Animals
Where: The Puppet Co. Playhouse
When: September 21 – October 7
Tickets: $10
Master puppeteer, Bob Brown brings his larger than life puppets to the main stage, assisted by the Puppet Co.’s own Christopher Piper, in a vivacious interpretation of Saint Saen’s musical masterpiece, narrarated in both English and Spanish! Beginning with a king-sized lion, then a 7-foot kangaroo magician who can find everything imaginable in her pouch (except her baby), a dancing dinosaur skeleton, a school of flourescent fish, a graceful ice skating swan, a cuckoo playing peek-a-boo with a big tom cat, and many other enchanting creatures. Recommended for children in Pre-K and up.

Big, the Musical
Where: Adventure Theatre
When: September 21 – October 28
Tickets: $19
The 1987 hit movie bursts onstage in this vibrant, funny and touching musical. When frustrated adolescent Josh Baskin wishes he were ‘big’ and wakes up the next morning as a 30-year-old man, he discovers there’s much more to being an adult than he bargained for- and learns we must all grow up at our own pace, in our own time. See this new version – complete with Zoltar and floor piano- that spotlights the touching friendship of Josh and Billy as they learn what it’s really like to be ‘big.’

Tot Rock
Where: Jammin’ Java
When: Ongoing
Tickets: $5/weekdays, $10/weekends
Tot Rock is Jammin’ Java’s super-popular kids music concert series, providing wholesome family entertainment at one of the DC Metro area’s finest music clubs. Local groups perform in the monring every Monday through Friday, and touring performers drop by on many weekends. Check the calendar often to see when your favorite act is performing, and for other calendar updates.

Tiny Tots
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: Most Wednesdays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 10am
Tickets: $5
The series presents puppet shows designed for the youngest theater patrons (ages 0-4). They are shorter, the lights stay on, and the doors stay open. They have an arsenal of shows that they switch up every performance, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s playing when you go.

Saturday Morning at the National
Where: National Theatre
When: Saturday mornings, September 22 – December 15
Tickets: Free, but required
The free theatre program began runs on select Saturdays through the spring. Musicals, plays, storytelling, and comedy shows are all part of the live entertainment line-up. See the complete schedule of performances here. Tickets are distributed day of performances on first-come, first-served basis. Everyone must be in line to receive a ticket.

Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Where: Smithsonian’s Ripley Center
When: September 27-28
Tickets: $6 and up
Los Angeles-based “kindie rocker” Mista Cookie Jar (aka C. J. Pizarro) and the Chocolate Chips get Discovery Theatre’s Tot Rock: Jammin’ at the Smithsonian season off to a sweet start with their urban-island-folky-rock-and-roll sounds. This ultra-awesome family band adds rock-star excitement to the fun of children’s music.

P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical
Where: Imagination Stage
When: September 29 – October 18
Tickets: $12 and up
Back by popular demand for 3 weeks only! G.Petto is an ingenious designer of computer games who works for the evil Machine Master. One day he discovers that his new character, P.Nokio, can escape the computer! G.Petto is delighted at the prospect of having a “son.” With the help of the Graffiti Fairy, he sets out to teach P.Nokio how to become a real boy by attending the Old School and studying the art of rhyme. Unfortunately, P.Nokio is tempted by The Way of Fun and Trouble and The Land of Fools. He finds himself in the company of con artists and in a tangle of lies that endanger his newfound father. To save G.Petto from Machine Master, P.Nokio must wise up, keep it real and learn that words and truth are the mightiest weapons of all. Recommended for ages 5-12.

Mouse on the Move
Where: Imagination Stage & The Atlas
When: October 6 – November 11
Tickets: $10-$12, $5 lap seat for children under 12 months
Nellie and Amelia are two adventurous mice ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese. Like many of Imagination Stage’s shows for this age group, the performance will be a multi-sensory experience. Children are given a small suitcase of props with which they help the actors tell the story. Recommended for ages 1-5. Note: The show will run at the Atlas Performing Arts Center October 17-22. Tickets are $8 and available for purchase here.

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Where: BlockRock Center for the Arts
When: October 6
Tickets: $14
A musical based on the unforgettable Judy Blume novel! The unlikely but extremely likable heroine is 10-year-old Sheila Tubman, who can be outgoing, witty, and capable, but also is afraid of the dark, dogs, and swimming. Set during an eventful summer, this lively and poignant musical chronicles the ups and downs of Sheila as she discovers the person she really is. Recommended for age 6 and up. Get there early for a FREE pre-show party, with arts & craft and snack.

Mouse on the Move
Where: Imagination Stage
When: October 6 – November 11
Admission: $12
Mouse on the Move follows two adventurous mice who are ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to visit the moon, since it is reportedly made of delicious, mouth-watering cheese. Recommended for ages 1-5.

The Wiggles Celebration!
Where: Warner Theatre
When: October 9
Tickets: $17.50 – $82
Join the Wiggles on their Celebration Tour as they perform a hits-loaded spectacular, giving their Wiggly fans a chance to say farewell to Anthony, Murray, Greg and Jeff in their final shows together. (At the end of 2012 Jeff, Murray and Greg will then hand over the purple, red and yellow skivvies to a new generation of performers to instead take on backstage creative roles.) Catch them in one of two shows in DC!

Mariachi Madness
Where: Baird Auditorium at the Natural History Museum
When: October 10
Tickets: $6 and up
The infectious brass and swirl of vivid costumes are irresistible when Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble joins Mariachi Los Amigos on stage. Get caught up in the celebración muy especial and experience the festive Mexican sights and sounds with some of Discovery Theater’s favorite performers. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Beauty and the Beast
Where: The Puppet Co. Playhouse
When: October 12 – November 16
Tickets: $10
Out of the misty veil of Russian folklore comes the classic tale of palaces and promises. A beastly prince learns to live outside himself and discover courage, companionship, trust, and love in the heart of a merchant’s daughter. The grandeur of Czarist Russia provides the design style for both the scenery and the elegant half life-size marionettes.

The Hobbit
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre
When: October 26 – November 4
Tickets: $12/adults, $10/children & seniors
Encore Stage & Studio, the youth theatre group presents their next production: Take an exciting journey through Middle Earth with an ordinary hobbit, Bilbo Baggins! Encore is pleased to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved novel to life onstage. Bilbo and a throng of dwarfs embark on an adventure to reclaim important treasure, encountering goblins, trolls, and even a dragon along the way. But, as the great wizard Gandalf advises, be sure not to stray off the path! Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Disney on Ice: Rockin’ Ever After
Where: Patriot Center
When: October 17-21
Tickets: $15-75 (look for discounts here)
Mickey and Minnie have searched the globe for the hippest and hottest acts to perform in the most sensational talent showcase to rock the ice. In a new twist on fairytale fun, favorite Disney characters compete to be the next superstar in comical segments leading up to the tales of show-stopping princesses—Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle and Merida from Disney•Pixar’s BRAVE in her ice debut!

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Various venues
When: October 17 – November 13
Tickets: Free
The annual festival will present more than 150 FREE children’s performances all around the metro area. Mimes, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the exciting acts on the schedule that take place at a variety of venues, from public libraries to embassies to performing arts centers. Visit the website for details and the complete schedule.

The Spooky Magic of Joe Romano
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts
When: October 27
Tickets: $14
Celebrate Halloween as Joe Romano provides the “tricks” in the season of trick or treating! This skilled and exciting magician will perform jaw-dropping illusions for the whole family. Watch Joe float on broom, turn a child into Harry Potter, make a friendly ghost appear and more! Join the FREE pre-show party, with arts & craft and a snack. Enjoyed by ages 4+.

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular!
Where: Kennedy Center
When: October 28
Tickets: $15-18
Is it ever cool to “boo” the orchestra? It is on Halloween! And during their Halloween Spooktacular, NSO musicians dressed up as ghosts, ghouls, and goblins just might peek out from behind their instruments to go “BOO” back at you! Go early outfitted in your spookiest ‘ween wear for pre-concert trick-or-treating and a special Haunted Hall Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo,” then take your seats for a “spirited” performance. Recommended for age 5 and up.

The Great Zucchini’s Halloween Party
Where: Smithsonian’s Ripley Center
When: October 30-31
Tickets: $6 and up
You’ve heard of the Great Pumpkin. Now meet the Great Zucchini, a vegetable of a very different color—and one of the area’s most entertaining and in-demand kids’ magicians and comedians. There’s a yummy mix of amazing feats, interactive fun, and plenty of laughs waiting in his bag of Halloween tricks. Come in costume!

NSO Family Concert: Lang Lang: 101 Pianists
Where: Kennedy Center
When: November 10
Tickets: $15-18
Join internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang and 100 young pianists for what promises to be a life-changing (for them) and thrilling (for all) music-making event. DC-area pianists ages 8–18 join Lang Lang on the Concert Hall stage for a performance that will entertain and educate both young audience members and experienced concertgoers. This unique program is part master class, part concert, and includes performances of Franz Schubert’s Marche Militaire No. 1 and Johannes Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 5 for piano four hands. Who knows, you may see the Kennedy Center Concert Hall debut of tomorrow’s piano superstar!

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
Where: Kennedy Center
When: November 17 – December 9
Tickets: $18
During the Civil War, a small 12-year-old boy who never even owned a pair of shoes steps up to become a hero by saving his older brother at the Battle of Gettysburg. Then he helps lead the Union to victory! Sound too heroic to believe? It’s true. At least mostly true. You see, Homer P. Figg doesn’t always tell the whole truth about, well, anything. But from Maine to Pennsylvania, facing Union soldiers and Confederates, Underground Railroad conductors and circus ring leaders, Homer will tell any tale it takes to save his brother. Rodman Philbrick’s Newbery Honor–winning novella becomes the humorously staged story of Homer’s journey through thieves, spies, and scallywags as he makes his way through history. Recommended for ages 8 and up.