From fiddling to blues to classical, the spotlight is on the string instruments—the smallest and the largest—in this lively program presented by NSO violinist Glenn Donnellan and NSO bassist Rick Barber.

In 1919, amidst fierce racial tensions in the rural south, a young African-American girl named Nellie Lee Love moves with her family from Tennessee to Chicago. Mama believes a fresh start will help Nellie Lee’s sister Erma Jean, who has stopped speaking after witnessing a horrible, mysterious event. Though life in this northern city is new and exciting, Nellie Lee and Erma Jean discover that racism knows no boundaries. With the love and support of their family, both sisters realize the strength within themselves to triumph in this co-commission by the Kennedy Center and Scholastic Entertainment, based on Patricia C. McKissack’s award-winning book from Scholastic’s popular Dear America series.

Recommended for ages 9 and up.

Adapted for the stage from Richard Wright’s landmark autobiography, this poignant coming-of-age story traces the African-American author’s many boyhood struggles—from growing up poor and being abandoned by his father to facing “Jim Crow” prejudice in early 20th-century America. Through his love of literature and his own personal writings, Wright finds the power to rise above these challenges and make his mark on the world.

Travel along with explorers Lewis and Clark as they journey more than 8,000 miles westward across wild America in search of the fabled Northwest Passage to the ocean. In this fascinating musical presentation, folk musician and multimedia artist David Walburn combines original songs and storytelling with historical paintings and scenic photographs taken along the famous trail to create an exhilarating portrait of a bold and heroic adventure. Experience Lewis and Clark’s journey up the mighty river, feel the chill of their difficult passage over the mountains, share the challenges of the expedition members, and celebrate their success of reaching the Oregon shore. History has never sounded so good!

Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Get into the groove with five breathtaking dances from the company the New York Times calls “boisterous and refreshing!” Choreographer Lula Washington’s African Memories pulses to the beats of South African Boot Dancing, Rites celebrates youth, love, and spirituality in the new millennium, and Urban Themes hip-hops to the music of the late rap star Tupac Shakur. Inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bernard Gaddis’s Noche De Las Companas (“Night of the Bells”) swirls with spirit-dancers in a moonlit garden. And Tony® nominee Donald McKayle’s Games turns stories of inner-city schoolchildren into a dazzling mix of modern dance, theater, kids’ games, and a capella singers.

Recommended for all ages.

After weathering all those comic calamities in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the loveable and irrepressible Alexander now faces his biggest challenge ever: moving—as he puts it—“a thousand miles away!” Everyone is packing, but NOT Alexander, who can’t bear the thought of leaving his best friend Paul...his tree house...his soccer team...his babysitter...and everything else he considers home sweet home. With the same characters that delighted audiences in the original Alexander production, Judith Viorst and Shelly Markham adapt Viorst’s book Alexander, Who’s Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move into this brand-new musical.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Would you be willing to travel through dangerous lands to save your best friend? In Hans Christian Andersen’s famous tale of devotion and bravery, follow the courageous Gerda as she sets out alone in search of her friend Kai, who has been whisked away by the wicked Snow Queen to a palace of wind and snow. Gerda’s quest takes her through unusual landscapes, where she encounters many fantastical characters, including talking flowers, a robber girl, a whimsical reindeer, and snowflake soldiers. Weaving together original music, physical theater, masks, puppetry, shadow play, and magic, Enchantment Theatre Company eloquently tells this story of a young girl who realizes the true power to save her friend is the unwavering love in her heart.

Recommended for ages 7 and up.

The NSO's Unlikely Trio (flutist Carole Bean, harpist Dotian Levalier, and oboist William Wieglus) is back by popular demand with this seasoned program that's a great deal of fun while focusing on a fundamental concept of music—melody!

Set against the fairytale backdrop of Hans Christian Andersen’s lighthearted tale about a vain emperor who gets taught a valuable lesson by his clever daughter, this charming operatic adaptation returns to the Kennedy Center for a limited time only! Hailed by the Washington Times as “the perfect choice for music-loving youngsters,” The Emperor’s New Clothes is a great introduction to opera for ages 7 and up with its soaring arias, beautiful duets, and lively quartets. Ric Averill’s libretto also adds a witty twist to Andersen’s timeless classic with a tender love story and a howlingly funny ending—in which the foolish king and his ridiculous subjects get their just desserts.

Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Will Petruchio’s relentless wooing win the hand of the hot tempered Kate, who is fiercely opposed to marriage? Find out when Ballet Austin combines graceful lyricism with warmth and humor in Shakespeare’s spirited tale of unlikely love in 16th- century Italy! Fresh from its sold-out children’s performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream two seasons ago, Ballet Austin now presents the East Coast premiere of its “classically innovative” adaptation of the Bard’s comic battle of wits and wills, featuring two of his most memorable characters.

Recommended for all ages.

Experience the majestic sounds of the brass instruments in this entertaining and educational program by the NSO Brass Principals' Quintet: Martin Hackelman, horn; Steve Hendrickson and Adel Sanchez, trumpets; Milton Stevens, trombone; and David Bragunier, tuba. The music on this program goes back in time to the predecessors of the brass instruments—the conch shell—and continues through the ages to the present to include ragtime, classical, and popular music. Don't miss out on this exciting program—two performances only! Come early for hands-on fun with the Musical Instrument 'Petting Zoo'—a project of the Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra.

Dancers in magnificent shawls and headdresses whirl and spin like butterflies in the wind...and Mohawk dancers wearing buckskin and hides chant in unison through a stomp dance. Marvel in the grace and beauty of Native North American dancers as they synchronize their footsteps with the rhythmic beat of drums. Representing various tribes throughout Canada, the company combines the dances, songs, and music of the Iroquois, Objibway, Blackfoot, Cree, and Lakota nations with storytelling and audience participation, delighting all with their unique flair and spirit.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Kennedy Center favorite Baba Jamal Koram—known to audiences around the country as “The StoryMan”—brings together folktales, conjure stories, epics, songs, riddles, proverbs, and chants passed down from West African villages and families through the use of his voice and spirit drums. Don’t miss this entertaining and educational one-man event, specially designed for the week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

Special Martin Luther King Jr. Day performance
MONDAY, JANUARY 19 AT 7:30 P.M.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark woods in this whimsical adaptation of the popular picture book. Quick-witted Mouse can scare away sly snakes, fearsome foxes, and other hungry animals with tall tales of the terrifying “Gruffalo.” But what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined...“terrible claws, terrible tusks, terrible jaws” and all? Featuring plenty of delightful songs, music, and laughs, let your imagination run wild with the show that London’s Sunday Herald calls “monstrous fun...four stars!”

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Captured by a king in a far-away land, the young Scheherazade uses her storytelling powers to win back her freedom with two enchanting fables—“The Ebony Horse” and “The Fisherman and the Genie.” Watch a clarinet transform into a flying horse...listen to a genie blast out of imprisonment with his trombone...and experience a battle fought with the clash of cymbals and the flash of a flute when the musicians of Tales & Scales transform themselves and their instruments into characters from The Arabian Nights, one of the world’s greatest literary treasures!

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Every day a boy comes to an apple tree to eat her fruit, swing from her branches, and slide down her trunk. But as the boy grows older, he begins to want more—and so she gives and gives until she’s only a stump. Experience “poetry in the air” when the award-winning Little Theatre of the Deaf combines American Sign Language with spoken words to bring to life Shel Silverstein’s classic illustrated storybook. Made up of both deaf and hearing artists, the company begins with an introduction to sign language, then continues with captivating stories, interactive improvisations, and Silverstein’s tender parable of unconditional love that the New York Times calls “the most rewarding kids’ show in town.”

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

In the West African country of Benin, a young boy dreams of a beautiful Kaleta—a Halloween-like festival in which children dress as lions, cats, zebras, and other animals and go door to door to entertain their neighbors. The boy soon awakes and enlists performers from Benin, Ghana, and Liberia to help him bring his dream to life in this dazzling mix of dancing, storytelling, drumming, singing, and colorful masks and costumes. Along the way, we meet the hilarious trickster phantom “voudouavonou,” join a “Gelede” masquerade honoring the Great Mother, take part in a festive “dance of the returned spirits,” and much more!

Recommended for ages 7 and up.

She lives on an island and dances to the wind. Along comes Anansi the spider to distract her with his flute and steal from her garden. But as our eight-legged friend soon finds out, no one can fool the Dancing Granny for long! Three performers and a myriad of marionettes burst onto the stage with this captivating trickster tale and other African stories that made their way through Ghana, Zaire, and Mali to the Caribbean and U.S. Find out how Brer Rabbit outwits a hungry lion, sing along with a 12-foot pelican, learn how Anansi first spilled the wisdom of Africa all over the world, and more! Following its sold-out engagement last season, the company from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, returns with another spectacle of music, dance, and puppetry magic dubbed “Bethlehem’s Lion King.”

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Accompanied by Coqui, his loveable pet puppet frog, Felix Pitre returns to mesmerize young audiences with many Puerto Rican folktales passed down from his grandfather when he was a boy—including “Juan Bobo and the Pig,” “Paco and the Witch,” and more! Children are invited to clap, sing, and dance along when the popular storyteller interweaves English and Spanish to tell boisterous musical tales that celebrate the culture of his native country.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Ladies and gentlemen, messieurs et mesdames! Step back in time to the glorious music halls of 19th-century Paris with this high-kicking extravaganza specially designed for young audiences and families! One of France’s most colorful signature art forms comes alive in this fun-filled history lesson told through exuberant dance, music, comedy, and daring circus acts. Delight in the sassy songs of chanteur Aristide Bruant, dressed in his stylish black hat and scarlet scarf. Watch in awe as “Boneless the Contortionist” bends his arms, legs, and body into amazing pretzel shapes. And, of course, clap your hands to all the ladies in gorgeous, swirling costumes dancing the world-famous “Can Can.” C’est magnifique!

Recommended for all ages.

Light ten candles and POOF! Here comes Dibouji, an eccentric magician who travels the globe collecting very special treasures—not made of gold or silver, diamonds or crystal, but made by children from simple, everyday objects. In his hands, these treasures remain precious, even as the children of the world grow up and forget them. In this fanciful and poignant one-man show, Dibouji introduces some of his favorite treasures to the audience, bringing together puppets, shadow play, inventive masks, narration, and music to reveal the fascinating stories of their owners.

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

One day, a mailman on his bicycle notices one of his packages is beginning to smoke. When he opens it, he discovers inside a miniature jungle filled with tropical plants, exotic animals, crystalline lakes, and even a fiery volcano! As he begins to play with these tiny toys—dinosaurs, mermaids, circus clowns, and more—everyone around him is transported into the fascinating world of make-believe, brimming with joy and surprises. This imaginative, wordless production combines actors and marionettes, an original musical score, and delightful sound effects that all take place on a stage that unfolds from the handlebars of an old bicycle!

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Valiant soldier...hopeless romantic...and the not-so-proud owner of an ENORMOUS nose. That’s Cyrano de Bergerac, the swashbuckling hero who, despite his many gifts, feels no woman can ever love him because of the way he looks. Though he’s secretly in love with the beautiful Roxane, he allows his rival Christian to court her by presenting Cyrano’s love poems and letters as his own. What follows is a bittersweet tale of trickery and tomfoolery adapted by Belgian playwright Jo Roets, which captures all the comedy, passion, and poetry of Edmond Rostand’s original play while adding a contemporary twist: all the roles are played by only three actors.

Recommended for ages 9 and up.

Pepito's Story replaces Love You Better, which has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

Pepito loves to dance—and is determined to follow his dream even though the other kids laugh at him. Commissioned by the Kennedy Center, with choreography by Emmy award-winner DEBBIE ALLEN, the creator of many sold-out Kennedy Center productions, including last season's "Brothers of the Knight," and a score by jazz superstar Arturo Sandoval, this Caribbean-flavored musical glows with the warmth of the island sun. The Washington Post calls it "a magical, heart-warming tale (with) high-energy dancing that makes you want to join in!" This hit musical returns to the Terrace Theater, April 2-11, 2004.

Recommended for young people ages 5 and up.

Mike Mulligan and his beloved steam shovel Mary Anne can do anything—dig great canals for boats to pass through, cut through majestic mountains to make tunnels, and even hollow out deep cellars for skyscrapers! But with the creation of new electric, diesel, and nuclear-powered shovels that can do twice the work in half the time, no one wants an old-fashioned steam shovel like Mary Anne anymore. When the town of Popperville needs a new city hall, Mike boasts that he and Mary Anne can dig the basement in just one day. Will they complete the job in time? Find out in this lively and uplifting musical based on the classic 1939 book about the courage of two friends.

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

With her unique and soulful style that blends gypsy, folk, gospel, and pop music influences, young Mexican-American singer Perla Batalla has created a beautiful song cycle that celebrates the mystical and magical history of Mexico. Performing in both Spanish and English and backed by her talented band, she traces the colorful stories of her ancestors through mesmerizing ballads, Mexican lullabies, and rhythmic harmonies that warm the heart.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Street dance meets Vivaldi...robotics meet circus clowning...and 1940s Latin tunes meet 1980s pop-star hits when this all-male dance ensemble from Houston presents a high-energy, visual spectacle featuring colorful costumes, cutting-edge choreography, gymnastics, comedy, and urban flair. “These FLY guys are tough, with a streetwise, sideways charm, and they know how to move, too—from their knuckles all the way down to their toenails!” (The Houston Press).