How about some live shows to help keep the kids entertained – and warm – over the winter months? From plays and puppet shows to music concerts and ice skating pageantry, there will be plenty to delight all audience members. Here are details of what you can see with most descriptions straight from the websites. All tickets are on sale now.
Aquarium
Where: Imagination Stage
When: January 12 – February 6
Tickets: $10, $5/lapseat children 12 months and under
Be a part of a magical world designed by artists from the Lyngo Theatre Company especially for the very young. With gentle music, beautiful puppets and props, two performers lead children and caregivers to an underwater world with a giant jelly fish; to a grassy patch where sheep love to graze; and to a garden where lemons create the sun in a let’s pretend sky. Along the way, every child and some of the grown ups, too, will have a chance to get in the act. Recommended for ages 1 – 5.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Where: The Puppet Co. @ Glen Echo Park
When: January 14 – February 13
Tickets: $10
Applause Unlimited returns with Margery William’s gentle tale of how toys become real. Told with hand puppets, storytelling and song, solo puppeteer Christopher Hudert takes children through this classic story of friendship, changes, and magic. The popular tale is of particular interest to youngsters learning to read, and anyone who has ever had a favorite stuffed toy. Running Time: 45 minutes. Recommended for ages 3 ½ and older.
Rocknoceros
Where: Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
When: January 16
Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 day of show
What better way to spend a Sunday morning than rocking out with local kids’ fave Rocknoceros. Your kids are sure to know all the lyrics to their hit song “Pink!”.
The Wright Brothers
Where: National Air & Apace Musuem
When: January 19 – 21
Tickets: $6/adult, $5/child, $3/children under 2
Experience the fun of man’s first powered flight as Rainbow Puppet Productions presents The Wright Brothers. We follow the brothers as they write their chapter in American history. Learn how growing up as avid readers gave them faith in their own abilities. Watch them experiment and take to the skies. Lots of music and a variety of puppetry styles—hand, rod, and shadow—craft an inspirational story about hard work and determination. This is a Discovery Theater performance that takes place at the Air & Space Museum. Recommended for ages 2 -10. Note: The Discovery Theater has a great line-up of shows in February, too. Visit the website to see what else is playing.
Mirandy and Brother Wind
Where: Adventure Theatre & Atlas Performing Arts Center
When: January 21 – February 13 (AT) February 25 – March 13 (Atlas)
Tickets: $15, (Goldstar also has discounts for select dates)
Who will take the cake? Why, Mirandy of course. The junior cake walk happens soon and Mirandy needs a dance partner. Who can high step and kick the best? Why Brother Wind! But how can Mirandy capture him? Grandmother Beasley says, “Can’t nobody put shackles on Brother Wind, chile. He be special. He be free.” Leave it to Mirandy, she’ll catch him; she’ll grab hold of that Brother Wind and win that delicious cake! Through her journey to capture Brother Wind, Mirandy learns something special – freedom and kindness. Recommended for ages 4 & up.
Saturday Morning at the National
Where: National Theatre
When: January 22
Tickets: Free, but required. Distributed day of on first-come, first-served basis.
After several weeks’ hiatus, the free Saturday morning treat for kids will resume with Meet Penguin Bob! Artist, author and illustrator Joe Jamaldinian recounts the escapades of his lovable creation Penguin Bob and launches Barrymore Eagles’ Kids Art & Koloring Kontest! Joe sketches an exciting adventure in which Bob follows his quest to teach children to follow their dreams in a multi-cultural world of fascinating people. New shows are presented almost every Saturday through the spring. Be sure to check the website to see what’s coming up. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Animalia Puppet Show
Where: Alden Theatre
When: January 29
Tickets: $12, $8 for McLean district residents
Hobey Ford’s beautiful production of Animalia explores the world of animals through movement, music and visually stunning puppetry. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
NSO Pops: Disney in Concert
Where: The Kennedy Center
When: February 4, 5, & 6
Tickets: $20 – $50, (Goldstar also has discounts for select dates)
Enjoy the magic music of Disney with the NSO Pops and guest conductor Michael Krajewski. Every new generation has a favorite Disney musical, whether it’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pocahontas,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” ” Aladdin,” or “The Lion King.” And then there are the classics, from a “Mary Poppins” medley to the “Yo ho” of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” When everyone joins together for memorable moments and melodies that Mouseketeers of all ages know by heart, it feels like a small world, after all.
Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes
Where: Verizon Center
When: February 16 – 21
Tickets: $15 – $75 (Goldstar also has discounts on select seats)
Enter a world of wishes with your favorite Disney princesses. Tinkerbell represents the magic of Disney as she whisks you through a collection of enchanting and beloved Disney stories. Purchase tickets online through the Verizon Center.
46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes
Where: The Kennedy Center
When: February 18 – 20
Tickets: $18
How many wondrous circus acts can be stuffed into 45 minutes? Exactly 46, with barely a pause to applaud. From clowns and contortionists to animal acts and acrobats, Australia’s Circa gives audiences the circus without all the boring bits. Lively music keeps the pace as a handful of multi-talented performers bend, fly, juggle, and balance to battle the clock. 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes is fast, furious, and fun for everyone. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Stomp
Where: The Warner Theatre
When: January 25 – 30
Tickets: $37 – $57
The unique musical production of choreographed percussion using the body and ordinary objects, is on an American tour and will be stopping in DC for six days of performances. Catch sneak previews on January 13 at several venues around town. See this post for more information.
Perseus Bayou
Where: Imagination Stage
When: February 5 – March 17
Tickets: $10 – $22
This award-winning musical sets the classic Greek myth of Perseus and his quest for the snake-headed Medusa in post-Civil War Louisiana. To save the bayou from the evil Polydectes, Percy must journey to the edge of the human world with the help of a conjure woman, Miss Athena, a spirit-cat, Panther Hermes and a tomboy named Andromeda. Percy’s coming-of-age is vividly told in this epic and magical theatrical work. Imagination Stage is delighted to welcome back Mary Hall Surface, whose The Hundred Dresses and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice played here in prior seasons. Enjoyed by ages 6+
Jack and the Beanstalk
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: February 17 – April 10
Tickets: $10
A timely version of the classic children’s tale about the young lad that doesn’t know beans about trading, but still manages to climb his way to the top. The first half of the story follows the familiar track, but the second half turns into a rescue of the Giant’s servant, rather than the traditional crime spree found in most versions. Jack finds that happiness lies in helping others rather than mere personal gain. Told with rod puppets and some surprising twists, Jack has long been a favorite of our audiences.
The Magic Paintbrush
Where: Synetic Family Theater
When: February 19 – April 3
Tickets: $12
Based on Chinese folklore, The Magic Paintbrush is a magical tale of the power of good virtues against the forces of greed. Ma Liang, a poor orphan boy, dreams of becoming a painter. His dreams come to life one day when he discovers a magic paint brush that brings his art to life. Ma Liang’s brush sets him on an enchanting journey, from countryside to palace, proving that in the end giving and sharing is the best reward.
Ishara Puppet Theatre: Simple Dreams
Where: The Kennedy Center
When: March 19 – 20
Tickets: $18
Combining the essences of puppetry and imagination, Simple Dreams is an interplay of music, dance, and performers animating simple objects such as sticks and umbrellas to create vivid images of birds, fish, animals. This visual poem on nature and the cycle of life comes from the imagination of leading Indian puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee, founder of The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust. For age 5 and up.
Imago Theater: ZooZoo
Where: Strathmore
When: March 27
Tickets: $15 – $35
Imago Theatre makes its Strathmore debut in ZooZoo. This one-of-a-kind company conjures up one surprise after another, including a menagerie of a giant dinosaur, hungry anteaters, hitch-hiking rabbits, introverted frogs, insomniac hippos and cantankerous polar bears. Mixing deftly designed costumes, brilliant physical comedy, illusion and audience participation, Imago Theatre is simply “captivating.” (The New York Times)
