Still a few weeks to see Frozen at Olney Theatre
A new season of entertainment is coming to local stages! Here’s what you can see around DC over the next few months, listed in order of start date with most descriptions coming straight from from their sources. Keep in mind that tickets make for great holiday gifts, too. Happy viewing!
Holidays on the Stage
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the holiday season
Tickets: Vary by show
If you’re looking for holiday-inspired shows to celebrate the season, you can find them all listed here. There are several productions of The Nutcracker, plays especially for children, shows about Hanukkah, festive concerts and singalongs, dance performances, and more!
Disney’s Frozen
Where: Olney Theater | Olney, MD
When: Through January 5
Tickets: $41-110
Disney has asked a select few regional theaters to take a shot at their own productions of this animated classic, and Olney Theatre Center got the call! Their production promises to deliver everything families love about the adventures of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, along with a unique show you won’t experience anywhere else. Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka directs their biggest musical ever.
Finn
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through December 22
Tickets: $25
Finn explores the depths of the brilliant and beautiful ocean, with vibrant sea creatures and catchy tunes. Hilarious and heartwarming, this underwater musical chronicles the coming-of-age journey of Finn, a young shark who dreams of following in his family’s footsteps by joining the prestigious Shark Guard. As Finn faces the challenges of growing up and following his heart, the musical takes us on a magical journey of self-discovery, friendship, and adventure. Recommended for ages 5+.
Leopoldstadt
Where: Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through December 29
Tickets: $55-142
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s current production… A Jewish family grows and struggles over the course of nearly 60 years, beginning with their initial assimilation into Viennese culture, negotiating the outbreak of two World Wars through to the aftermath of the Holocaust. Traversing decades of joy and strife, the family strives to maintain their delicate bonds of shared history.
Death on the Nile
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through December 29
Tickets: $59-99 (find discount)
In Ken Ludwig’s thrilling adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, Hercule Poirot becomes entangled in a web of deceit and desire aboard a cruise ship on the Nile River. When a murder occurs among the passengers, Poirot springs into action to unmask a killer who could strike again at any moment. For teens and older.
Jungle Book
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 13-16
Tickets: $25-69
This holiday opera returns with a new take on the Kipling classic. The beloved story gets a contemporary twist with music from South Asian and Western music traditions and mesmerizing Bollywood dance. Join Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, and more animal characters for a heartwarming tale about friendship, compassion, and forgiveness. The jungle may be filled with dangers but there is strength in chosen family. Recommended for all ages.
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: December 14 – February 10
Tickets: $12-39 (find discount)
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood updates the classic tale, sending the plucky heroine—now a red-robed little duck—and her ‘fraidy cat friend Te Jean on a perilous journey through the bayou. Along the way the pair tangle with a Big Bad Gator. Petite is no sitting duck, though, and leads her nemesis on a merry Mardi Gras chase through New Orleans. A chorus of swamp dwellers sings backup to the Zydeco-driven score in this foot-stomping musical. Recommended for ages 5+.
& Juliet
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 17 – January 5
Tickets: $45-239 (find discount)
Created by the Emmy® Award–winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Recommended for ages 8+.
Life of Pi
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 17 – January 5
Tickets: $67.50+ (find discount)
Based on the novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, Life of Pi is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation and “gives new life to Broadway” (The Today Show). After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions—a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry, and exquisite stagecraft, Life of Pi creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy. Recommended for ages 10+.
The Little Comedies
Where: Theatre on the Run | Arlington, VA
When: December 20 – January 4
Tickets: $30
Synetic Theatre presents this reinvention of one of their classics: “The Music Box” treats audiences of all ages to a series of enchanting, wordless vignettes set to mesmerizing music. Watch as a janitor and businessman discover a magical mask that transforms their lives, two cowboys in the Wild West hilariously attempt to tame a loose bull, a magical wind turns a rainy day into a dance of umbrellas…and more! This captivating production combines physical theater, dance, and mime to create an unforgettable journey through fantasy and comedy.
Tuck Everlasting
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: January 10-12
Tickets: $15
What would you do if you had all eternity? Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey. Recommended for all ages.
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: January 10-19
Tickets: $15/adult, $13/child
Once upon a time, a king leaves his twelve daughters in their bedroom each night. In the morning, their shoes are worn out from dancing! Desperate to know what they are up to, the king enlists the help of potential suitors to find out. Dance along with us in this lively production. Recommended for ages 4 and older.
Sonic Symphony
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: January 11
Tickets: Look for resale here
Get ready to run down memory lane at Sonic speed! Sonic Symphony is an immersive live experience that celebrates more than three decades of music from SEGA’s iconic mascot. From the classic 8-bit and 16-bit tunes to rock bands and EDM, this concert will take you on a musical journey through the colorful world of Sonic the Hedgehog. Relive your favorite Sonic moments, brought to life by a full symphony orchestra. Sonic Symphony will be an electrifying tribute to the music that has defined generations of gamers, old and new.
Havana Hop
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: January 11-12
Tickets: $25
Young Yeila dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins to find her roots, gain confidence, and be her amazing self! Travel with Yeila as she visits her grandmother in Cuba to add salsa flavor to her own hip hop style. The audience gets to dance along in this dynamic participation play where one actress creates three generations of lively women. Recommended for ages 2-12.
Paper Dreams
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: January 11 – February 16
Tickets: $22.50
This charming and dreamy dance-based performance imagines two friends who live inside a wastepaper basket! Together they discover what imaginative ideas might unfold from a crumpled piece of paper–can mistakes inspire our greatest ideas? Because the show is non-verbal, it can be enjoyed by people speaking all languages and of any age. DC Theatre Arts called Paper Dreams “an enchanting production that…educates and entertains and sparks inquiry into the creative process for young and old alike.” Recommended for ages 1+.
What the Constitution Means To Me
Where: Round House Theatre | Bethesda, MD
When: January 15 – February 16
Tickets: $50-89
As a teenager, Heidi Schreck traveled across America, earning her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions. Now, as an Obie Award-winning playwright, she takes a closer look at the Constitution and its effects on four generations of women in her family. What the Constitution Means to Me is a profoundly personal look at our nation’s most debated document and how it could evolve to fit our modern times. Recommended for teens and older.
Grey Skies Blue
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: January 17-19
Tickets: $25
Dance and theater merge in SHapeshift’s Grey Skies Blue. Join a group of friends as they uncover personal truths through dynamic movement. Grey Skies Blue follows eight friends over the course of a summer, as they share their own stories through captivating movement, thoughtfully exploring themes of social justice, sexual identity, addiction, and betrayal. Recommended for ages 9+.
Let’s Sing Taylor – A Live Band Experience Celebrating Taylor Swift
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: January 17
Tickets: $35-142
Let’s Sing Taylor – A Live Band Experience is the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift. We can show you incredible things, including the most faithful and lively covers of Queen Taylor’s expansive and sacred catalog. Taking the country by storm, we’re bringing the communal experience of celebrating Taylor’s music in a live setting to Swifties near and far.
NSO Music for Young Audiences: Old MacDonald’s Symphony
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: January 18-19
Tickets: $15
The whole farmyard is getting ready for a hoedown—but it needs your help with the farm chores. This immersive show, developed specifically for toddlers, will have audience members laughing and dancing along with Old MacDonald and the farmhands. Join for a silly adventure featuring puppets, storytelling, dancing, and a string quartet from the National Symphony Orchestra. Recommended for ages 0–5.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: January 24-26
Tickets: $51-139 (find discount)
An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters.
Monster Jam
Where: Capital One Arena | Downtown DC
When: January 24-26
Tickets: $20+
The world’s largest and most famous monster truck tour featuring the biggest names in monster trucks will thunder its way back into DC. Gravedigger, El Toro Loco, Megolodon, Thunder-ROAR-us, Just Get-Er-Done, Monster Mutt Dalmation, Ramminator, and Rammunition are among the vehicular beasts that will be tearing up the indoor terrain this year.
Black Diamond
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: January 31 – February 7
Tickets: $3-9
Hit a home run with a spirit-rousing musical play about the “other” major league. This Discovery Theater original chronicles the struggles and triumphs of pioneering African American baseball players. The all-star lineup of heroes includes Moses “Fleet” Walker, who became the game’s first black pro in the 1880s; Andrew “Rube” Foster, hailed as the father of black baseball; power hitter Josh “Spitfire” Gibson; athlete-philosopher Satchel Paige; and a young Jackie Robinson, who first integrated the major leagues. You’ll stand up and cheer for the players who made sports history-and American history, too! Recommended for ages 7-11.
The Bedwetter – A Musical
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: January 31 – March 16
Tickets: $69-109 (find discount)
Sarah Silverman’s bestselling memoir springs to life in a hilarious, moving musical comedy as 10-year-old Sarah navigates a new school, her parents’ divorce, and a secret you’ll never guess (unless you read the title). For teens and older.
Schmigadoon!
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: January 31 – February 9
Tickets: $86 (find discount)
Introducing Schmigadoon!, the world-premiere musical of the Emmy Award®–winning hit show. New York doctors Josh and Melissa go backpacking in a last-ditch attempt to save their failing relationship, but instead get lost in the woods and end up trapped in Schmigadoon, a magical town that’s a classic Golden Age musical come to life!
NSO Music for Young Audiences: M2 = (Math x Music)
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: February 1-2
Tickets: $25
It all adds up—listen and learn how music and math are connected. The Last Stand Quartet performs a lively program linking the ways in which math is present in all music-making, creating music to move to and engage with on a deeper level. Add together four National Symphony Orchestra musicians—violinists Joel Fuller and Derek Powell, violist Mahoko Eguchi, and cellist Rachel Young—and this ensemble will show audiences how math times music equals fun! Recommended for ages 5+.
Paw Patrol Live!: A Mighty Adventure
Where: Eagle Bank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: February 1-2
Tickets: $25+
Get ready to PAW-ty like never before in a fantastic new PAW Patrol Adventure! After Chase, Marshall, Skye and the gang save Adventure City with their Mighty Pup Powers, it’s time for the paw-some-est street party ever. But when Supervillain Scientist Victoria Vance feels left out of the festivities, she unleashes her latest invention to crash the party and steal the spotlight for herself! Can the Mighty Pups, armed with their super-charged powers, outsmart Victoria to ensure Adventure City’s biggest bash goes off without a hitch? It’ll take the power of paw-sitivity and mighty teamwork to foil her plans and keep the party pumping!
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: February 5
Tickets: $59-99 (find discount)
Relive the magic of the legendary folk-rock duo! The immersive concert-style tribute show, complete with nostalgia-inducing, unforgettable hits, will recreate the magic and authenticity of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel live on stage and chronicles the amazing journey of the iconic act. The Simon & Garfunkel Story covers the duo’s humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry, to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s, as well as their dramatic split in 1970.
Dragons Love Tacos
Where: Adventure Theatre | Bethesda, MD
When: February 7 – March 20
Tickets: $25
You know what Dragons really love? Tacos of course! A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out!
John Henry England Concert
Where: The Avalon | Chevy Chase, DC
When: February 8, 10:30am
Tickets: $11-13
Celebrate Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and more of those silly Little Holidays with a live concert from John Henry, The Guitar Playing Man! He’s known for performing music and movement programs for children of all ages. With 20 years of early childhood education and performance experience, John Henry’s interactive program will engage children as they dance and sing during this memorable concert, featuring his drummer brother Sven Henry!
In the Heights
Where: Signature Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: February 11 – May 4
Tickets: $40-103 (find discount)
Lights up on Washington Heights, NYC where the streets are full of music, and everybody’s got a dream. With the neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, and a life-changing winning lottery ticket somewhere in their midst, the vibrant inhabitants share hope, loss and love as they plan their futures while cherishing their home. Recommended for ages 8+.
Waitress
When: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: February 13 – March 30
Tickets: $40-101 (find discount)
The beloved musical by Sara Bareilles is coming to the Olney stage.Jenna is stuck in a lousy marriage and dreaming of an escape while she bakes pies and waits tables at her small town’s local diner. But it “Only Takes a Taste” of something different to spark some drastic changes – but are they for better or worse? With the help of her fellow waitresses and a cast of colorful characters, Jenna learns the winning recipe’s been hers from the start. “Rated PG-13.”
INTERSECTIONS Festival
Where: Atlas Center for Performing Arts | H Street NE, DC
When: February 15 – March 16
Tickets: TBA, vary by show
The Atlas’ signature event, this performing arts festival presents work that impacts our society, culture, and world by informing, inspiring, educating, and entertaining. INTERSECTIONS is about presenting excellent art that inspires a connected community, engages artists and audiences alike, and creates a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. More details about the festival to come!
Callaloo Kids
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: February 18-21
Tickets: $3-9
Join a celebration of African Diaspora culture filled with puppetry, drumming, and storytelling. Performed by the CFA Repertory Theatre, this family-friendly show follows the adventures of Winston, Marisol, and Zoe as they discover the magical folklore of the Caribbean. ecommended for ages 3-7.
The Other Children of the Sun
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: February 22 – March 9
Tickets: $20-25
This whimsical superhero adventure reminds us that every journey—no matter how small—has the power to change the course of the universe! Writer and co-director Rhiana Yazzie, a Navajo playwright and trailblazer of Native American storytelling, and co-director Steven Paul Judd, a Kiowa/Choctaw filmmaker and screenwriter, offer a funny and thought-provoking world premiere play that challenges us to look at heroism through a new lens. This tale of a Navajo creation legend unfolds not on earth, but in the house of the Sun, where the lesser-known siblings of the Hero Twins reside. These celestial children set forth on a journey to slay monsters—and find their own place in creation. Most enjoyed by ages 7+.
Shucked
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: February 25 – March 2
Tickets: $59-99 (find discount)
The Tony Award–winning musical comedy features a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”), and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater. Recommended for ages 10+.
The Other Children of the Sun
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: February 22 – March 9
Tickets: $20-25
This tale of a Navajo creation legend unfolds not on earth, but in the house of the Sun, where the lesser-known siblings of the Hero Twins reside. These celestial children set forth on a journey to slay monsters—and find their own place in creation. This whimsical superhero adventure, based on Navajo creation legend, follows the journey of celestial siblings, offering a funny and thought-provoking world premiere play that challenges us to look at heroism through a new lens. Recommended for ages 7+.
Omnium Circus – I’m Possible
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: February 22
Tickets: $42-149
Omnium Circus ensures everyone is in on the action in this high-spirited limit-defying & life-affirming spectacle with award winning artistry, memorable music and a heartwarming story. They proudly provide access for audiences of all ages & abilities.
The Age of Innocence
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: February 28 – March 30
Tickets: $59-99
When Countess Ellen Olenska escapes Europe and a cruel past, only to find herself trapped behind the suffocating gilded cage of New York society and in love with the man engaged to her cousin May, she battles privilege, desire, and tradition in pursuit of her own destiny.
Mother Goose
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: March 1 – April 12
Tickets: $22.50
Through innovative puppets, props, and original music, eight classic Mother Goose rhymes come gently and tunefully to life. The magical Mother Goose invites the children in the audience to join in with each rhyme’s story, teaching them that the very best way to do what needs to be done is to do it together. Among the rhymes the children will experience are “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Old King Cole,” and “Humpty Dumpty.” Recommended for ages 1-5.
Riverdance 30 – The New Generation
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: March 4-22
Tickets: $45-155 (find discount)
The world reknown show is embarking on a special anniversary tour, bringing its magic to audiences worldwide. This spectacular production rejuvenates the original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state-of-the-art lighting, projection, and motion graphics. Audiences will enjoy a unique and memorable performance which blends the traditional and the contemporary, showcasing the skill and passion of the dancers, musicians, and singers in the Riverdance ensemble.
Eureka Day
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: March 4-22
Tickets: $56+ (find discount)
Set in a private California elementary school with a Board of Directors that values inclusion above all else — that is, until an outbreak of the mumps forces everyone in the community to reconsider the school’s liberal vaccine policy. As cases rise, the board realizes with horror that they’ve got to do what they swore they never would: make a choice that won’t please absolutely everybody.
Sister Act
Where: Ford’s Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: March 14 – May 17
Tickets: $58-95 (find discount)
This riotous musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet. To escape the mob, a nightclub singer hides in a convent. While there, she helps her new sisters to discover their powerful voices while she finds her own.
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: March 15
Tickets: $25
Bring the whole family to enjoy smart, crafty lyrics with irresistibly fresh pop beats. Performing in Spanish and English, the award-winning Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band is on the pulse of all things kids’ music.
Fantastic Forces
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: March 20-21
Tickets: $3-9
In a thrilling interactive show, young scientists embark on a STEM adventure where they take on a mission filled with electrifying obstacles. Together they attempt to defy gravity, test the limits of our velocity, and uncover the science based principals that help us navigate our way through the world.
What’s your family excited to see this winter?
