There are SO many venues that host children’s theater & musical performances throughout DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. From holiday productions to seasonal shows and concerts, this listing will be continuously updated with reviews of current shows in children’s theater that we’ve attended & upcoming performances to check out.
Note: The lists of current and upcoming children’s theater performances will be reviewed and updated on a monthly basis; however, things can change at any moment. Be sure to click the links and confirm performance details prior to heading out!
I don’t get paid to do reviews. My daughter really enjoys theatre, so we go!
Lastly, although the Kennedy Center is one of my most FAVORITE venues, I will not list any performances held there for the foreseeable future. Thank you for tuning in!
Coming to the Stage
Current Performance Reviews
Stay tuned for more performance reviews!
On Stage This Month
All listed performances are paid admission unless otherwise noted.
Washington, DC
- April 28 – May 1 at 10:15 am & 11:30 am | Mother Earth & Me at Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater (Best of ages 7-11)
- The magic of earth science takes center stage in this fun, interactive Discovery Theater original as audiences explore the origins of our planet and the systems that shape it, from powerful plate tectonics to the ever-present water cycle, and even the impact of life itself.
Maryland
- April 24th – May 24th | Aesop’s Fables at Adventure Theatre at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Adapted by acclaimed playwright Mike Kenny, this fast-paced production features a lovable troupe of traveling storytellers—Wolfie, Syd, Harriet, and Barry—who use humor and imagination to retell five classic fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Wind and the Sun, The Lion and the Mouse, and The Wolf and the Jackdaw.
- May 1st – May 3rd | But I’m a Monster Hunter at Imagination Stage in Bethesda (Best for ages 8+)
- Student Performance ~ Camp Creep is a camp like no other, where a group of quirky and sweet kid monsters spend their summers exploring the outdoors and playing games.
- May 2nd at 7:00 pm | Young Artists of America presents The Prince of Egypt The Musical at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda
- Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as Ramses and Moses, two young men raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.
- May 2nd – May 24th | US Karagoz Theatre Company presents: The Forest of the Witch presented by The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park
- Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Karagöz is reimagined here through The Forest of the Witch and The Other Side of Hollywood, blending tradition with contemporary storytelling.
- May 8th – May 10th | Charmville Pageant Rebellion at Imagination Stage (Best for ages 8+)
- Student Performance ~ The highpoint of every May for the young people of rural Charmville is the Jr. Miss Pageant. This is the 50th Anniversary year for the local tradition and the stakes are high. The contestants are preparing with their mentors. The school paper is running a poll for the community to guess who the winner will be. And as the pressure ramps up, some of the girls choose to break the rules, risk their friendships, and stoop to cheating in pursuit of their goal.
- May 9th at 2:30 pm | The Clarice presents Lightwire Theater: Dino-Light at UMD College Park
- Through a mix of imagination, science and magic, a friendly neon-lit dinosaur leaps to life, seeking friends and love in Dino-Light. You won’t believe your eyes as a shining, luminescent world of prehistoric creatures dance, explore and even engage in lightsaber duels!
- May 10th | Capital Classical Concerts presents Beyond Earth: A Celestial Odyssey & Cosmic Cycles at Strathmore in North Bethesda (Best for ages 8+)
- This cinematic-symphonic work traces humanity’s journey beyond our home planet, from the daring first steps on the Moon to the edges of our interplanetary aspirations.
Northern Virginia
- April 24th – May 3th | 2026 Teen Cyrano (ft. PreTeen The Boy Who Cried Wolf) at Synetic Theater in Arlington
- Synetic Theater’s clowning, commedia-inspired adaptation of the timeless masterpiece, Cyrano de Bergerac, takes audiences on a journey through the beauty of romance, loyalty, and sacrifice, reminding us that in the end, love is the only truth that truly matters.
- May 14th – June 7th | Little Women the Musical at Creative Cauldron Stage in Falls Church
- Based on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved classic, this Civil War era story of love and family stands the test of time. Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they navigate adolescence, each determined to live their lives on their own terms.
- May 29th – May 31st | Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man at Capital One Hall in Tysons
- Meredith Willson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef.
- May 29th – June 7th | Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre in Arlington (Best for ages 4+)
- Student performance ~ Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. is a high-energy musical revue that follows a group of trainees on their first day at the Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. Featuring songs from The Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto, and Frozen II, the trainees discover the power of dreams to unite and inspire as they journey through iconic Disney moments.
- May 31st at 2:00 pm | Jenny Lin, Piano “Melody’s Mostly Musical Day” at The Alden Theatre in McLean
- “Melody’s Mostly Musical Day” incorporates props and storytelling to engage the children in the audience. Traveling back to her childhood, pianist Jenny Lin crafts a story about a young girl named Melody, and her day of discovery.
Local Book Rec: Jocelyn Learns to Dance
Upcoming Children's Theater
All listed performances are paid admission unless otherwise noted.
Washington, DC
- June 3rd – June 5th at 10:15 am & 11:30 am | Under the Baobab Tree with Iya and the Kuumba Kids at Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater (Best for ages 3-8)
- This high-energy, interactive show features puppets, movement, and motivational music that rouses the spirit and moves the heart.
- July 7th – July 19th | Beetlejuice at The National Theatre
- Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes.
- November 19th – December 31st | A Christmas Carol – 2026 at Ford’s Theatre (Best for ages 5+)
- Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption.
- November 22nd at 7:00 pm | Jim Henson’s Labyrinth in Concert ~ 40th Anniversary at the Lincoln Theatre
- An unforgettable night of fantasy, music, and nostalgia awaits, as fans celebrate the 40th anniversary of the movie’s 1986 release.
Maryland
- June 17th – July 26th | Pete the Cat ~ A Live Rock Musical at Imagination Stage in Bethesda (Best for ages 4-10)
- Life is a really, really, really big adventure as Pete the Cat and the Biddle family rock out in a fast-paced, globe-trotting musical based on the smash hit book series.
- June 18th – August 16th | Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler at Adventure Theatre at Glen Echo Park
- Rolly’s ordinary summer takes an extraordinary twist when he’s whisked back in time to the Age of Charlemagne! There, he meets Aurora, a bold 12-year-old princess with dreams of knighthood and adventure beyond her castle walls. But her overprotective royal parents have other plans—thanks to a mysterious curse that threatens to plunge her into a century-long sleep.
- August 11th & 13th | Peter Pan with Brightstar Theatre at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville (Best for ages 4-10)
- Young audiences will love the antics of Tinkerbell, the bumbling Captain Hook, Darling Wendy (or should we say, Wendy Darling) and of course the free-spirited adventurous boy who just wouldn’t grow up.
- October 31 – November 1st | CoCo Live-to-Film Concert at Strathmore in North Bethesda ($)
- AMP presents Disney Pixar’s Coco Live-to-Film Concert on Tour, featuring a screening of the complete film with Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed live by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.
Northern Virginia
- June 5th at 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm | Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Got the Moves! at Capital One Hall in Tysons
- This exciting show will have kids and parents alike out of their seats and moving and dancing along with Elmo and his Sesame Street friends as they dance, stretch, and play along to fan-favorite songs, including “Sunny Days,” “Elmo’s Got the Moves,” and “Letter of the Day.”
- June 13th at 3:00 pm | Ravel Dance: Cinderella at Capital One Hall in Tysons
- Experience “Cinderella,” a timeless ballet of kindness, courage and true love. Featuring Prokofiev’s score, stunning costumes, imaginative sets and the artistry of the Ravel dancers, this enchanting tale comes to life for audiences of all ages.
- June 14th at 2:00 pm | The Washington Balalaika Orchestra presents Let the Music Dance! at Capital One Hall in Tysons
- The Washington Balalaika Orchestra is pleased to present a program featuring solos performed by our own musicians on balalaika, bayan, prima domra, bass domra, flute, oboe, and clarinet.
- June 18th – 21st | 2026 Spring Production: Cirque at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria
- Student performance ~ More than 600 performers, ages 3 to 18, take the stage. It is the only MSA production that includes all disciplines in one event. Students in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, acting, voice, and hip hop perform together in an unforgettable show.
- August 18th at 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm | The Wiggles Tree of Wisdom Spectacular! at Capital One Hall in Tysons
- Join in this all-ages celebration featuring timeless hits and sing-along moments from all your favorites including Rock-A-Bye Your Bear, Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy and Hot Potato! Plus all new favorites like Big Red Ute, Bin Night and so much more.
- November 29th at 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm | Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at Capital One Hall in Tysons
- Celebrate America’s favorite Christmas tradition with an international all-star cast that blends world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics!
For Teens
Teens behind the Scenes via The National Theatre
Past Performance Reviews
Here’s a listing of past kid-friendly theatre performances we’ve reviewed! Keep in mind, these shows may come back into town sometime in the future or at a different theatre.
Héctor, el niño eléctrico (Héctor, The Electric Kid)
GALA Hispanic Theatre
Date Reviewed: 10/18/2025
- Location: 3333 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20010
- Nearest metro station: Columbia Heights (green line) + 6 min. walk
- Run Time: 60 minutes with no intermission
- Best for: 12 & under in my opinion
Hector, a shy 10-year-old boy, meets a wizard in the auto shop where his mother works. After this mysterious encounter, Hector finds he has a special power: Now Hector is electric. Can Hector manage his new power?
Héctor, un tímido niño de 10 años, conoce a un mago en el taller donde trabaja su mamá. Tras este misterioso encuentro, Héctor descubre que tiene un superpoder: ahora es eléctrico. ¿Podrá Héctor lidiar con este nuevo poder?
4DMV Kids’ Review: Get ready to rock out with this electrifying performance at GALA Theatre! This bilingual (Spanish/English) musical is interactive, colorful and enlightening. I spoke with the Composer, Aldo Ortega, who said he was inspired by Classic Rock bands like the Eagles, which really livened up this performance. The audience sang along, learned new words in Spanish (or practiced their knowledge of the language), participated in call and response games and even headed to the stage for a birthday party (select audience members). The stage set felt like home to me and invited the audience into Hector’s world. My daughter (age 11) said she could relate to Hector and his insecurities about his height, looks, etc. My son (age 6) was engaged from start to finish and loved seeing the “electric” scenes of this performance. It was also a great way for both of my kids to practice listening to and responding in the Spanish language. I highly recommend this performance and would absolutely go see it again.
See upcoming performances at GALA Hispanic Theatre.
Dory Fantasmagory
Imagination Stage
Date Reviewed: 6/22/2025
- Location: 4908 Auburn Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814
- Nearest metro station: Bethesda (red line) + 20 min. walk
- Run Time: 1 hour & 5 minutes with no intermission
- Best for: ages 4+
It’s tough being the youngest. Dory’s siblings won’t play with her and there are monsters to battle all over the house, like the hair-raising Mrs. Gobble Gracker. With the help of her fairy godfather, Mr. Nuggy, her monster-friend, Mary, and her mighty imagination, Dory sets out to win what she wants most: her family’s attention.
4DMV Kids’ Review: Hilarious performance + interactive so kids will have plenty of fun throughout! There are call and response elements that bring the audience into the plot of this charming tale. The main characters have big personalities and get into situations that children at any age will relate to. My daughter and I both agreed that it got a bit slow towards the end but the ending definitely made me shed a tear or two. She also mentioned it being funny and seeing it again if she had the chance to.
See upcoming performances at Imagination Stage.
Sleepova
Olney Theatre Center
Date Reviewed: 3/27/2025
- Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832
- Nearest metro station: Glenmont (red line) + 20 min. bus #53 ride + 15 min. walk
- I recommend sitting in the center rows in front of the stage. From the sides, it’s hard to see the full stage.
- Run Time: 2 hours with 1 short intermission (15 minutes)
- Best for: teens & adults! It’s rated PG-13 for strong language. There were two brief conversations referencing sex.
This London hit makes its U.S. Premiere in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab! Whether or not sleepover parties with friends were part of your upbringing, you’re invited to join Elle, Shan, Funmi, and Rey at theirs. These four Black British teenagers are growing up fast, each coping with unique challenges. But even these issues – whether living with sickle cell disease, coming out to family, a crisis of faith, or a romantic misadventure, are confronted with humor, sincerity, and optimism. Most of all, Sleepova is a testament to the joys of friendship, centering a quartet of young women finding strength in each other, as they face the world together.
4DMV Kids’ Review: A great girls night out option for teens and adults! I really loved the character development of each of the four friends. Each friend uplifted the other through their challenges in a nostalgic, sisterhood way, which I feel NEEDS to be seen by girls and women, especially those of color. Themes discussed included not only health challenges with Sickle Cell, growing up Queer, and highly religious black family life but also growing up under an African household and the ups and downs of teenage friendship. With it being set in the late 20-teens, I think it’s also interesting to see the similarities between UK-living and US-living during that time. It makes London feel a little closer to home, especially from a black teen perspective. I would ABSOLUTELY see it again!
See more performances at Olney Theater Center.
A Christmas Carol
Ford’s Theatre
Date Reviewed: 12/05/24
- Location: 511 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Nearest metro station: Gallery Place Chinatown on the green, yellow and red line
- Pay close attention to the seating chart! This is a historic theatre so there are columns that may obstruct your view of the entire stage. Those seats are labeled “Obstructed View”.
- Run Time: 2 hours with 1 short intermission
- Best for: Recommended for ages 5+
Originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens’s Yuletide classic, with familiar characters, ghosts and a children’s ensemble in the spirit of the holidays.
4DMV Kids’ Review: BAH HUMBUG…
This performance is split into two acts with the first ending with scenes of Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past. The first act was a bit slower than the second, from which I assume some children may lose interest. However, the second act was more lively and featured the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Future.
Note that there is a flickering light throughout some scenes and the Ghost of Christmas Future can be considered scary to some kids.
The high energy captured the essence of Victorian England, where A Christmas Carol is set. From the singing to the costumes, this period piece is definitely something to consider for the older kids exploring history and literature.
I also recommend this performance for children who are attentive to details or really enjoy learning about the past. Point out the differences between then and now (clothes, mannerisms, language, toys, etc.) throughout the performance if their attention spans begin to drift. I also recommend this performance as a possible date night during the holidays!
See more performances at Ford’s Theatre.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 12/20/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Nearest metro station: Metro Center on the red, orange, blue and silver lines
- Run time: 2 hours with a 10 minute intermission
- Best for: all ages
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle that is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. This production is brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.
4DMV Kids’ Review: Talk about a REMIX!
The Hip Hop Nutcracker takes a modern approach to this holiday classic with hip-hop based moves from break dancing to doing the Urkel. Act I includes appearances from the Mouse King and the journey to the Land of Snow. Act II features the Land of Sweets, which is transformed into an 80s dance battle. Although it’s set in the 80s, it reminded me of the Save the Last Dance club scene LOL.
My son absolutely LOVED this show! The break dancing and backflips were his favorite parts. He even tried some of the moves in the aisle, LOL. One question he asked multiple times dealt with why the dancers never spoke. It was a great lesson for him in the different types of performances.
My daughter didn’t enjoy the show as much. She mentioned loving the outfits worn and missing the ballet aspect of previous performances of the Nutcracker she’s seen.
This performance in my opinion is great for all ages and family members/friends across generations. Kurtis Blow opened the night with old school hip-hop tracks & a mini dance party. The dancers then took us on a journey through the decades of hip-hop and ended with modern-day moves that wowed the audience!
See more performances at The National Theatre!
A Magical Cirque Christmas
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 12/12/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Nearest metro station: Metro Center on the red, orange, blue and silver lines
- Best for: all ages
Embrace the holiday spirit with A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS, a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. Get ready to be dazzled, enchanted, and filled with holiday cheer as you witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music.
4DMV Kids’ Contributor Review: A scaled-down version of Cirque du Soleil! It was a very cute show from start to finish. The host was a magician and a comedian, who called for audience participation. It was a great gesture to have children participate more so than the adults.
There was a point in the show where the magician was in the audience performing a magic trick and spoke of his father who had passed. It was a touching moment as you could feel his pain as he got through the act.
The female contortionist stole the show with her excellent performance! There was also plenty of balancing, tumbling, swinging and jumping from the incredible acrobats. All of them had your heart pounding and fearful they were going to fall but they succeeded every stunt. Overall great show!
See more performances at National Theatre!
Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish
Young Artists of America
Date Reviewed: 11/17/24
- Location: Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, VA
- Run Time: 1 hour & 35 min. with 15 min intermission
- Best for: all ages!
Featuring over 150 students in YAAOrchestra, YAACompany & YAAJunior
DISNEY IN CONCERT: A Dream is a Wish transports audiences into the musical world of classic and contemporary Disney Animated Feature films to discover that dreams really do come true. Join YAA as we awaken a little mermaid who longs to be human, a lion cub who struggles to find his place in the circle of life, and two sisters who wish to warm a frozen relationship.
4DMV Kids’ Review: Riveting performance by an all youth ensemble & cast! YAA is the award-winning, premier youth talent development program in the DMV with classes and intensives for kids as early as 3rd grade. From instrumentalists to actors, singers and dancers, this nonprofit thrives on developing the skills of “theatre kids” throughout our area.
I loved the varying levels of talent displayed throughout this performance. From the dancing and singing of the younger kids to the stage presence and voices of the older kids, the dynamic across the age groups drew me in from start to finish. My daughter loved seeing the performance of Frozen, which was saved for last as well as seeing kids her own age on stage. The actor who sang for Sebastian in The Little Mermaid among other roles was PHENOMENAL! These kids are definitely going places with the training received from YAA.
See more performances by Young Artists of America.
SIX the Musical
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 11/12/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Run Time: 80 minutes with no intermission
- Best for: ages 10+ but really all ages may enjoy!
- Food: There’s two bars with snacks; one on the ground floor and one on the third floor.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!
4DMV Kids’ Review: My daughter and I LOVE this Broadway musical! This was our second time seeing this amazing, woman-led production. From the actresses to the band on stage; who run the world?? GIRLS
My daughter mentioned her favorite aspects of the show include the outfits and the songs. I love that it’s 80 minutes, which is shorter than most shows we’ve seen at The National Theatre. It felt like the right amount of time, especially with tweens & teens in tow.
This production is mostly song and dance. Each of the six wives details their time with Henry VIII while mixing in modern-day and pop-culture references for kicks and giggles. There are a couple of sexual innuendos that went over my daughter’s head but nothing super obvious. We will definitely support this performance again when it comes back!
See more performances at the National Theatre.
The Lion King Jr.
Encore Stage & Studio
Date Reviewed: 11/08/24
- Location: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre; 125 S. Old Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 22204
- Run Time: 1 hour & 15 min. with 15 min. intermission
- Best for: ages 4+
- Food: They have snack packs that include water, chips and snacks for sale. Note that there’s no eating/drinking in the theatre.
In this adaptation of the beloved Disney animated film, young actors bring the story of Simba and his friends to life! The young and carefree lion cub faces serious consequences that force him to flee his kingdom, leaving his cruel uncle Scar to rule in his place.
4DMV Kids’ Review: So inspiring! We loved this majority kid/teen cast & crew led production of The Lion King. This production is a direct reflection of the Disney movie we all love and includes songs and lines exactly as you’ve remembered them.
My daughter mentioned the cast being “kids my age” several times as she detailed her favorite parts of the performance. She loved the parts with the hyenas and the singing/dancing of the Saharan animals. My son’s eyes were glued to the stage for the first half of the performance, which was action-packed.
Something to note about Encore Stage and Studio: While chatting with the Executive Director I learned that they, as a nonprofit, hold open auditions for their performances; meaning they encourage and develop local youth talent. It’s also free of cost for selected participants to perform. How awesome is that!
See more performances at Encore Stage & Studio.
Mean Girls
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 10/15/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 2000
- Run Time: 2 hours with 20 min. intermission
- Best for: teens & adults
Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.
4DMV Kids’ Review: Best for teens & adults! Much like the movie (& I heard very similar to the musical movie), Mean Girls has plenty of dancing, singing and high school drama. There’s a bit of cursing and sexual references throughout the performance, which again is much like the movie!
Although 2 hours is common for a Broadway musical, this one felt longer than others we’ve seen! My daughter loved it and sang along to the songs. She also left asking a few questions I wasn’t expecting! I recommend this performance for more mature audience groups.
See more performances at The National Theatre!
Spells of the Sea
The Kennedy Center
Date Reviewed: 10/13/24
- Location: The Kennedy Center – 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566
- Run Time: 70 min. with no intermission
- Best for: ages 6+
When Finley Frankfurter’s father, a famed fisherman, is struck by the Big Bad Sickness of the Sea, she embarks on an extraordinary quest for the elixir of life. Can Finley, a girl with dreams as vast as the ocean but plagued by self-doubt, save her father against all odds?
4DMV Kids’ Review: Calling all mermaids and mermen, princesses and princes… This musical tale has beautiful costumes, sea creatures, funny and sad moments and is “magical” from start to finish but “dark at times”. My daughter mentioned the magical part as she described the songs and funny moments. There are themes of loss and grief embedded in the story, which made it dark at times. Even though some of the songs were sad, the beautiful voices kept us wanting more.
Keep an eye on the dynamic between main characters Finley and H.S. Crank. It makes for a good lesson that anyone can become family. My daughter’s favorite character was the princess, who wore a fabulous pink dress and rocked the stage with her vivacious songs. I absolutely recommend this performance for younger & middle school aged kids!
She Persisted
Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy
Date Reviewed: 10/05/24
- Location: Glen Echo Park at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812
- Best for: ages 6+
- Need to know info: This show uses strobe and flashing lights as visual effects. Please be advised that people with photo sensitivity may be affected.
Fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encountersinspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, the musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor.
4DMV Kids’ Review: From the actresses to the production, we loved this performance, which is a little over 60 minutes with no intermission. My daughter (age 10) says her favorite part was seeing the famous figures in vulnerable moments and how they overcame certain situations (paraphrasing). For example, Judge Sotomayor had a situation in her childhood where she didn’t know what to do but she persisted. This performance is best for elementary and middle school kids, most specifically girls but I believe boys can learn a thing or two from it as well. My son (age 5) was a bit disinterested after the first 15 minutes.
See more performances at Glen Echo’s Adventure Theatre.
Winnie the Pooh
Imagination Stage
Date Reviewed: 09/21/24
- Location: 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814
- Best for: ages 3+
Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100 Acre Wood is surrounded by Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl in this delightful and gentle musical. Set during one busy day, there’s a Heffalump to catch, Eeyore’s tail to find, and a misunderstanding between Rabbit and Kanga to sort out. In the end, friendship and understanding win the day.
4DMV Kids’ Review: My daughter and I both agreed this performance started out a bit slow and picked up towards the end, most specifically the songs. This musical is based on the original A.A. Milne story so you won’t see Tigger, unless you look very closely at Piglet’s costume (there’s a stitched figure of Tigger). I think younger children (ages 2-5) would really get a kick out of the characters and movement on stage and off!
See more performances at Imagination Stage!
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Arena Stage
Date Reviewed: 09/21/24
- Location: Arena Stage ~ 1101 Sixth Street SW Washington, DC 20024
- Run Time: 90 min. with no intermission
- Best for: middle grade and older
Step into the vibrant world of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play by Jocelyn Bioh. Set in the pulsating heart of Harlem, this comedic gem unravels the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation, and the pursuit of the American Dream within the African immigrant community.
4DMV Kids’ Review: SO many good things to say about this performance. From the acting to the cultural references, you’ll think, laugh and shed a tear or two. What I really appreciated about this performance was the display of the realities of immigration. It was both eye-opening and thought provoking. It left my daughter (age 10) with a bunch of questions, which was good exposure to issues she never knew existed. She also wanted to know whether there’ll be a part 2, which is a great question!
See more performances at Arena Stage!
