Classic tales including “Peter and the Wolf” and “Rapunzel” as well as new productions such as the Kennedy Center’s world premiere of “The Phantom Tollbooth” — a musical about a little boy and his vivid imagination — are part of the Washington area’s varied fall children’s theater lineup.
The fall season at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo revolves around classics and starts with “Stuart Little” on Sept. 15, continues with “The Secret Garden” on Nov. 10 and ends with “The Lion, the Witch the Wardrobe” on Dec. 21.
“They’re all part of our literary series,” says Adventure Theatre spokeswoman Tyler Whitmore. “It’s a way to encourage children to first read the book and then come and see how that world [from the book] plays out onstage.”
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The theater also provides literary passports to go along with the series.
“If you read the book and then see the play, we give you a stamp in your passport,” Ms. Whitmore says, adding that the passport is a further incentive to read.
Audiences at Adventure Theatre this fall also can enjoy a fully renovated theater space with better views of the stage and more comfortable seating, she says.
“It’s very exciting. The whole interior was gutted,” she says. “We now have a high-tech theater and upholstered benches.”
A few miles northwest of Glen Echo is Bethesda, home to Imagination Stage, where the fall repertoire features “The Jungle Book” and “Twice Upon a Time: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and the Emperor’s New Clothes.”
“It’s a very exciting season,” says Laurie Levy-Page, spokeswoman for Imagination Stage. ” ’The Jungle Book’ has a lot of audience participation, and we’ll have a live percussionist onstage.”
It will be the premiere of this particular musical adaptation of the classic Rudyard Kipling story about a boy who grows up in the jungle and has to draw on both human and animal skill and knowledge for his survival.
The second show of the season will be “Twice Upon a Time: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and the Emperor’s New Clothes.” It will feature live singing and music, including a grand finale that celebrates the Lorax’s “waste not, want not” philosophy of life.
Both Imagination Stage and Adventure Theatre cater to younger audiences, but several shows at the Kennedy Center and Discovery Theater, both in the District, are geared to older schoolchildren.
Whether 2 years old or 10, young theatergoers can experience a magical place where everyday worries and concerns take a back seat and for an hour or so imaginary worlds and scenarios literally take center stage.
“It’s amazing to see the expression on their faces when the world on the stage unfolds,” Ms. Whitmore says. “It’s a magical moment.”
Waiting in the wings
Following is a sampling of the 2007 fall lineup of children’s theater and musical performances in the Washington area:
Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Information: 301/320-5331 or www.adventure theatre.org. “Stuart Little” Sept. 15 through Oct. 21; “The Secret Garden” Nov. 10 through Dec. 16; and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Dec. 21 through Jan. 6. All shows are appropriate for children age 4 and older. Fee: $8 to $10. Call to confirm dates and for showtimes.
Classika Theatre, 4041 S. 28th St., Arlington. Information: 703/824-6200 or www.classika.org. “Peter and the Wolf” Sept. 15 through Nov. 4, appropriate for children age 6 and older; “Hansel and Gretel” Oct. 13 through Dec. 16, appropriate for children age 5 and older; “The Snow Child” Nov. 10 through Dec. 6, appropriate for children age 3 and older. Fee: $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Call to confirm dates and for showtimes.
Discovery Theater, Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW. Information: 202/633-8700 or discoverytheater.com. “African Roots/Latino Soul” Oct. 4 through 6 and Oct. 9 through 12, appropriate for children ages 8 to 12; “8th Annual Pumpkin Party” Oct. 27 and 30, appropriate for children ages 8 to 12; “Blast off With Rocknoceros” Nov. 2 and 3, appropriate for children ages 8 to 12; “Kinderman Returns to the Smithsonian” Nov. 14 and 21, appropriate for children ages 2 to 6; “Little Red & Gingerbread Man” Nov. 23, appropriate for children ages 2 to 8; “Seasons of Light” Nov. 28 through 30, Dec. 3 through 8, 14 and 17 through 21, appropriate for children ages 5 to 10. Fee: $4 to $10. Call to confirm dates and for showtimes.
Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. Information: 301/280-1660 or www.imaginationstage.com. “The Jungle Book” Sept. 29 through Nov. 4, appropriate for children age 4 and older; “Twice Upon a Time: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and the Emperor’s New Clothes” Nov. 23 through Jan. 13, appropriate for children 4 and older. Fee: $10 to $20. Call to confirm dates and for showtimes.
Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. Information: 202/467-4600 or www.kennedy-center.org. “Nobody’s Perfect” Oct. 19 through Nov. 3, appropriate for children age 9 and older; “The Phantom Tollbooth” Nov. 16 through Dec. 16, appropriate for children age 9 and older; “Leo Lionni’s Swimmy, Frederick and Inch by Inch,” Dec. 27 through 31, appropriate for children age 4 and older. Fee: $18. Call to confirm dates and for showtimes.
National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Information: 202/783-3372 and www.nationaltheatre.org. The National Theatre features free performances most Saturday mornings at 9:30 and 11. Performances include: “Ghosts, Goblins & Not Too-Scary Halloween Stories” Oct. 27 and “Twas the Night Before Christmas” Dec. 15; shows appropriate for children ages 4 to 11. Free. Call to confirm dates and showtimes.
The Puppet Co. Playhouse, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Information: 301/320-6668 or www.the puppetco.org. “Rapunzel” Sept. 14 through Oct. 7; “Len Piper’s ’Pinocchio’ ” Oct. 12 through Nov. 16; and “The Nutcracker” Nov. 26 through Dec. 30. All shows are appropriate for children age 4 and older. Fee: $8. Call to confirm dates and for showtimes.
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