In this special edition of “Art Signs”, Deaf collaborators from Motion Light Lab (ML2) at Gallaudet University lead an hour-long American Sign Language (ASL) tour of the exhibition “Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies”, focusing on the haptics and captions developed in partnership with ML2. The tour and discussion engage with selected artworks from a d/Deaf perspective. Voice interpretation is provided for hearing participants.
Free | Registration required
Smithsonian American Art Museum; Meet in the G Street Lobby
In this special edition of “Art Signs”, Deaf collaborators from Motion Light Lab (ML2) at Gallaudet University lead an hour-long American Sign Language (ASL) tour of the exhibition “Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies”, focusing on the haptics and captions developed in partnership with ML2. The tour and discussion engage with selected artworks from a d/Deaf perspective. Voice interpretation is provided for hearing participants.
Free | Registration required
Smithsonian American Art Museum; Meet in the G Street Lobby
In this special edition of “Art Signs”, Deaf collaborators from Motion Light Lab (ML2) at Gallaudet University lead an hour-long American Sign Language (ASL) tour of the exhibition “Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies”, focusing on the haptics and captions developed in partnership with ML2. The tour and discussion engage with selected artworks from a d/Deaf perspective. Voice interpretation is provided for hearing participants.
Free | Registration required
Smithsonian American Art Museum; Meet in the G Street Lobby
The Bard & The Beat-Shakespeare Everywhere Festival
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm December 6, 2023
The Negro Classical Cultural Carnival and Shakespeare Theatre Company join forces to celebrate the beat that connects us all in an evening of music, dance, and theatre. Featuring Shuchi Buch, Voices Unbarred, Jae Anthonee, and many more!
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
FREE! Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military A Holiday Pops! with Norm Lewis
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm December 7, 2023
Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military invites all current, retired, veteran, and prior service members and their families to a special FREE performance of the hottest holiday bash in town—A Holiday Pops! Get ready to sing along, laugh, and warm your spirit at our sparkling celebration as Broadway superstar Norm Lewis lights up the stage with holiday showstoppers, Broadway favorites, and more!
Please note: you must present a valid military ID along with your reservation voucher(s) to attend.
As the first Christmas nears, who among the animals can lead Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem? Fearsome Lion and graceful Unicorn are the top contenders—though it certainly won’t be Donkey, whose only humble gift is a small but sturdy back. But with the birth of a very special king on the horizon, Donkey soon discovers that miracles can happen anywhere!
Whimsical costumes. Endearing characters. Playful music. It’s no surprise that when WNO first premiered this family-friendly opera in 2013, the Washington Post praised its “fresh energy and charm,” and tickets quickly sold out. Based on the award-winning children’s book and featuring music from Tony®-winning composer Jeanine Tesori, this heartwarming production returns for the holidays featuring a talented cast of members of our Cafritz Young Artist Program and the WNO Children’s Chorus.
Based on one audience suggestion (a title for a play that has yet to be written) The Improvised Shakespeare Company creates a fully improvised masterpiece right before your very eyes! Each of the players has brushed up on his “thee’s” and “thou’s” to bring you an evening of off-the-cuff comedy using the language and themes of William Shakespeare. Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written—and if you’re wondering where the story is going...so are they!
Due to the improvised nature of the show, some performances may contain mild mature content.
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America—and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by the New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar® winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony® and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony® winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony® Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
Go in-depth with Saisha Grayson, curator of time-based media at SAAM, as she discusses the years-long curatorial process behind "Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies." Learn about her reasons for featuring selected artists and video art, with a special focus on auditory artworks and how they merge together in this evocative and emotionally resonant exhibition.
Free | Registration encouraged.
Meet in G Street Lobby
Twelve-year-old Kenny Li is being bullied at school. When he finds a magical tablet, he is transported to the Jade Kingdom where he meets Xing, the Dragon King’s daughter. Together, they go on a quest to save the world, finding courage and friendship along the way.
Chinese dragon mythology, martial arts, and stunning voices combine in this world premiere musical following an unlikely young duo on a daring adventure. Marcus Yi’s heroic story and inspiring songs come alive onstage, with direction by Chongren Fan and choreography by Billy Bustamante.
Ring in the holiday season (literally!) at The Washington Chorus' "A Candlelight Christmas!" Featuring spirited brass, a festive chorus, and extra special guests to help you celebrate the season, this concert is among the DC region's most beloved holiday traditions—so don't miss this heartwarming seasonal delight!
Girl From the North Country is the Tony Award®–winning new musical that the Chicago Tribune declares is “a Broadway revelation!”
Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony®-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From the North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” “Slow Train Coming,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”
It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life, and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.
Girl From The North Country is the Tony Award®–winning new musical that the Chicago Tribune declares is “a Broadway revelation!” It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life, and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.
Recommended for age 12 and up.
Girl From the North Country is the Tony Award®–winning new musical that the Chicago Tribune declares is “a Broadway revelation!”
Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony®-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From the North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” “Slow Train Coming,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”
It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life, and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.
Girl From the North Country is the Tony Award®–winning new musical that the Chicago Tribune declares is “a Broadway revelation!”
Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony®-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From the North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” “Slow Train Coming,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”
It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life, and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.
Be part of Washington’s most popular free holiday event, the Kennedy Center’s Messiah Sing-Along. Back by popular demand, the evening concert features conductor Nancia D’Alimonte as she leads members of the Washington National Opera Orchestra, guest soloists, a chorus of 150, and a very enthusiastic audience in Handel’s masterpiece. A family and community tradition since 1971!
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
Girl From the North Country is the Tony Award®–winning new musical that the Chicago Tribune declares is “a Broadway revelation!”
Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony®-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From the North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” “Slow Train Coming,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”
It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life, and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.
Girl From the North Country is the Tony Award®–winning new musical that the Chicago Tribune declares is “a Broadway revelation!”
Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony®-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From the North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” “Slow Train Coming,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”
It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life, and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America—and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by the New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar® winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony® and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony® winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony® Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America—and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by the New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar® winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony® and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony® winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony® Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America—and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by the New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar® winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony® and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony® winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony® Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
Clover’s mom says it isn’t safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups’ rules by sitting on top of the fence together.
Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson’s simple yet powerful book The Other Side comes to life in an evening-length dance piece from choreographer and Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor for Dance Education Hope Boykin. When literal and figurative fences keep us apart, can we find the courage—and creativity—to knock them down?
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America—and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by the New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar® winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony® and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony® winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony® Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America—and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by the New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar® winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony® and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony® winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony® Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America—and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by the New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar® winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony® and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony® winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony® Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
merican Ballet Theatre’s quintessential production of Swan Lake returns to pull D.C. audiences back under its spell. Journey to the enchanted lake, complete with soaring choreography, hauntingly beautiful music, and extravagant sets.
American Ballet Theatre’s quintessential production of Swan Lake returns to pull D.C. audiences back under its spell. Journey to the enchanted lake, complete with soaring choreography, hauntingly beautiful music, and extravagant sets.
Before there was RENT… there was tick, tick… BOOM!, Jonathan Larson’s explosive musical about life, death, and the necessity of art. The semi-autobiographical story follows Jon, a composer struggling to break into New York City’s theater scene. This intimate, three-actor production boasts unforgettable songs including “30/90,” “Johnny Can’t Decide,” and the Sondheim-inspired “Sunday.”
The show will be directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner and New York Times bestselling author Neil Patrick Harris.
Before there was RENT… there was tick, tick… BOOM!, Jonathan Larson’s explosive musical about life, death, and the necessity of art. The semi-autobiographical story follows Jon, a composer struggling to break into New York City’s theater scene. This intimate, three-actor production boasts unforgettable songs including “30/90,” “Johnny Can’t Decide,” and the Sondheim-inspired “Sunday.”
Directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Neil Patrick Harris!
The town of Dustbin is known for two things: rules and dust, the kind you get when it doesn't rain for years and years. But one day a young girl named Raina spies a cloud in the sky. No one believes her, so she sets out on a great adventure to bring the cloud back home. Along the way, she meets outlaws, folk heroes—and a thunderstorm.
Come along with Raina in this modern-day feminist folktale with music! A ZACH Theatre production, this captivating journey takes the stage, with script and lyrics by Sarah Saltwick, music and additional lyrics by Helyn Rain Messenger, Amber Quick, and Paul Sanchez, and direction by Liz Fisher.
Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm February 17, 2024
Don’t miss the electrifying new musical about “the greatest R&B group of all time.” With their signature dance moves and harmonies, The Temptations rose to the top of the charts, and their moving story still resonates five decades later. The show features such iconic hits as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and many more.
Recommended for ages 13 and up. The show contains minimal adult language and references.
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm February 18, 2024
Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying, new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts, creating an amazing 42 top-ten hits with 14 reaching number one.
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
For our opening night, we are pleased to present Billy Luther’s first narrative feature, “Frybread Face and Me,” followed by a Q&A with one of the film’s protagonists, Charley Hogan (Navajo).
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“Frybread Face and Me” (dir. Billy Luther, 2023)
Two adolescent Navajo cousins from different worlds bond during a summer herding sheep on their grandmother’s ranch in Arizona, learning more about their family’s past and themselves.
Content warning: For mature audiences. Contains coarse language.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian - Rasmuson Auditorium
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
Stories of loss, revelation, and recovery can lead us on the path to restoring a sense of wholeness. In this program, youth confront generational trauma and seek to break through for a brighter future. Following the screening, stay for a Q&A with director Xun Sero.
Registration at the link below is encouraged.
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“Mother’s Tongue” (dir. D. Wilmos Paul, 2022)
Junior, an African teenager ashamed of his accent, enrolls in a creative writing club hoping he can make it through the semester without speaking… until he’s faced with his worst fear.
“Mamá / Mom” (dir. Xun Sero, 2022)
In this deeply moving dialogue between a mother and son, Tzotzil director Xun Sero confronts his past with honesty, understanding, and forgiveness. Content warning: For mature audiences.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - Ring Auditorium
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
As a result of colonization, much Indigenous knowledge was destroyed or extracted, with many sacred objects finding their way to museums overseas. How can Indigenous scholars and communities reclaim their patrimony and reconnect with the knowledges embedded in their objects? We’ll explore questions of return and reclamation in this film and the Q&A that follows with the director and Ñuu Savi cultural experts.
Registration at the link below is encouraged.
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“Ñii Ñu’u” (dir. Omar Aguilar Sánchez, 2022)
The Ñii Ñu’u, or sacred books, are codices that contain the history and worldview of the Ñuu Savi people (People of the Rain, or Mixtec people). Today, none of the surviving Mixtec codices are in the hands of the community. After 500 years, director and scholar Omar Aguilar Sánchez has interpreted the codices based on the knowledge of his own language and culture, teaching communities how to read the codices, offering workshops, and recreating the pictorial writing to support their identity, with practical implications for the community in the creation of an official logo.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Q?rius
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
How can we find balance when on opposing sides? Can we build spaces for listening and leveling the playing field? A discussion with director Francisco Huichaqueo will follow the screening.
Registration at the link below is encouraged.
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"I Am Home" (dir. Kymon Greyhorse, 2022)
This poetic memoir is a love letter that speaks of introspection and what it means to rediscover who you are and cherish where you come from.
"Künü" (dir. Francisco Huichaqueo, 2022)
Mapuche and Chileans have always been in conflict. So how will they live together? First, by getting to know each other. Once the field is leveled, a conversation can begin. This film presents a crisp portrait of the process behind an architectural structure that aims to start a conversation.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Smithsonian Natural Museum of Natural History - Q?rius
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
We invite you on a poignant journey through identity and cultural revival. These films paint a vivid portrait of the struggles and triumphs in reclaiming Indigenous languages. "Grape Soda in the Parking Lot" and "ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)" each uniquely testify to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of erasure, highlighting the vital role language plays in connecting us to our past, present, and future. Join us for an evening screening that reflects on and celebrates the power of memory and words to create change.
Registration at the link below is required.
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Grape Soda in the Parking Lot (dirs. Megan Kyak-Monteith, Taqralik Partridge, 2023)
What if every language that had been lost to English—every word, every syllable—grew up out of the ground in flowers? The Scottish Gaelic of Taqralik Partridge’s grandmother and the Inuktitut of her father unfold in memories of her family, of pain, and of love.
"ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)" (dirs. ᎤᎶᎩᎳ/Schon Duncan, Michael McDermit, 2023)
The Cherokee language is deeply tied to Cherokee identity, yet generations of assimilation efforts by the U.S. government and anti-Indigenous stigmas have forced the Tri-Council of Cherokee tribes to declare a state of emergency for the language in 2019. While there are 430,000 Cherokee citizens in the three federally recognized tribes, fewer than an estimated 1,500 fluent speakers remain—the majority of whom are elderly. The COVID pandemic has unfortunately hastened the course. Language activists, artists, and youth now lead efforts to use and hear Cherokee again in daily life.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
In this program, two films intersect at the crossroads of love and resistance. "Aikāne" and "Y SŴN" illustrate the spiritual connections that can be formed and the cultural ties that can be broken in the fight against political repression. Though artistically varied, both display the transformative power of commitment, be it to a person or a cause, iterating the fight for identity as a universal narrative. Join this evening screening, followed by a Q&A, and celebrate the indomitable spirit of humanity in its many facets.
Registration at the link below is required.
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"Aikāne" (dirs. Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, 2023)
A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. Everything changes when the octopus who rescues him transforms into a handsome young man.
"Y SŴN" (dir. Lee Haven Jones, 2023)
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher swept to power in 1979 with a manifesto that promised to establish a Welsh-language television channel. Months into her premiership, she reneged on her promise and sparked protests in Wales. Against a backdrop of civil disobedience, the iconic politician Gwynfor Evans vows to starve to death unless the government changes course. In "Y SŴN," one of the most colorful chapters of modern Welsh history is told in an imaginative and unique style.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Mother Tongue Film Festival: Sustenance (Shorts Program)
11:00 am – 1:45 pm February 24, 2024
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
These collected shorts from around the world explore different dimensions of finding sustenance—whether through connecting to place and kin, cooking and eating food, or different forms of artistic expression. Evoking the many dimensions and transformations in these ongoing practices, these films reveal the various ways humans connect to their world. Stay after the films for a Q&A with attending directors.
Registration at the link below is encouraged.
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"Imalirijit" (dirs. Vincent L’Herault, Time Anaviapik Soucie, 2021)
Tim is a young father living in Pond Inlet, Nunavut. As his grandfather did before, he wants to start his own study of water quality to benefit his community. Tim embarks on an inspiring research journey that will lead to empowerment and cultural revitalization. The experience becomes an awakening for Tim and his team, harboring a wind of change and adaptation for this community of the Canadian Arctic.
"Bhaskar Chitrakar: Painting Kalighat Moderns" (dirs. Matthew Raj Webb, Ihaab Syed, Rohan Sengupta, 2024)
This audiovisual portrait of hereditary artist and man of leisure Bhaskar Chitrakar explores his painting style that reimagines a centuries-old, mixed-media tradition of religious idol representation at Kolkata’s Kalighat temple.
"Wa’yûna" (dir. Serena Mosquito, 2023)
Bring your appetite for learning and get ready to blend up some fun! Serena Mosquito whips up a smoothie while speaking in Euchee, a linguistically distinct language spoken in Oklahoma. Equal parts humor and culinary delight, this student film is as charming as it is educational, yielding a heartwarming cultural tribute.
"Ekbeh" (dir. Mariah Hernandez-Fitch, 2023)
While learning to make gumbo from her grandparents, Mariah Fernandez-Fitch draws out their personal stories as a way to honor and preserve their Indigenous history and life.
"Mutsoóngo Malaávu" (dir. Rosa Vieira, 2023)
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, palm wine tapsters play a key role in Yoómbe village life. Palm wine is an alcoholic beverage, drawn from the top of the oil palm, associated with the ancestors. Limber climbers extract this ancient drink to share among family, friends, and guests.
"Burros" (dir. Jefferson Stein, 2021)
Set in southern Arizona, twenty miles from the Mexico border in the Tohono O’odham Nation, a six-year-old Indigenous girl (Amaya Juan) discovers a Hispanic migrant her age who has lost her father while traveling through the tribal lands into the United States.
"Silt" (dir. Emilie Upczak, 2022)
A botanist grieving the death of a beloved aunt travels alone to northern Mexico, where she is nourished by images of the last trip they took together, traversing the Colorado River.
"A Bata do Milho / Corn Beat" (dirs. Eduardo Liron, Renata Mattar, 2023)
In Serra Preta of Bahia, a region of northeast Brazil with a distinctive dialect, the families of rural workers keep the tradition of work songs alive. They cultivate corn in traditional ways and come together in a joint effort throughout all stages of cultivation, including pounding the corn. Each step in the process has songs, rhythms, and festivities that emerge to manage and brighten the work process.
"Nhakpoti / Star Girl" (dirs. Pat-i Kayapó, Paul Chilsen, 2023)
Mêbêngôkre-Kayapó youth and elders reenact the story of how agriculture was brought from the heavens to their community. The Mêbêngôkre-Kayapó people live along the Xingu River in northwest Brazil, amid more than 27 million acres of rainforest. The film is the first narrative video project by the community of A’Ukre, created in collaboration with elders and the Mêbêngôkre filmmaking collective.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Baird Auditorium
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
Nüshu, a clandestine language created and used solely by Yao women in Hunan Province, offers a unique legacy that unites its practitioners. Delving into the lives of women in modern China bound by the once-secret script, "Hidden Letters" is a poignant exploration of female bonds and the generational echoes of gendered oppression in China. The documentary artfully portrays two women’s journeys as they grapple with the complexities of independence and traditional expectations that both define and confine them. Join us for this inspiring screening followed by a Q&A with director Violet Du Feng, diving deeper into Nüshu’s enduring legacy.
Registration at the link below is encouraged.
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"Hidden Letters" (dirs. Violet Du Feng, Qing Zhao, 2022)
Watch the bonds of sisterhood—and the parallel struggles among generations of women in China—that are drawn together by the once-secret written language of Nüshu, the only script designed and used exclusively by women. Two millennials try to balance their lives as independent women in modern China while confronting the traditional identity that defines but also oppresses them.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art - Meyer Auditorium
Mother Tongue Film Festival: The Wind & the Reckoning
3:00 pm – 5:15 pm February 24, 2024
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
What lengths would you go to keep your family together? Inspired by real-life events, "The Wind & the Reckoning" explores Native Hawaiians’ stand against government-mandated exile due to leprosy. This film is a powerful statement about the dynamics of resistance and is a point of reflection on the dislocation caused by disease and settler-colonialism in Hawai‘i. Stay after the film for a discussion with Smithsonian curator Halena Kapuni-Reynolds.
Registration at the link below is encouraged.
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"The Wind & the Reckoning" (dir. David L. Cunningham, 2022)
As an outbreak of leprosy engulfs nineteenth-century colonial Hawai‘i, a small group of infected Native Hawaiians resist government-mandated exile, taking a courageous stand against the provisional government.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Baird Auditorium
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.
Join us for a ceremonial drum blessing closing out our festival, leading into our final film screenings. How does one find balance in the wake of disruptive events? We explore this process through two films that use humor and empathy to make sense of the experience of colonialism and survivance. Each film is a multilayered exploration of the power of telling and retelling stories as a way of finding balance.
Registration at the link below is encouraged.
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"A Bear Named Jesus" (dir. Terril Calder, 2023)
At Aunty Gladys’s funeral, Archer Pechawis heard a tap on the window. It was a bear named Jesus, and Jesus had come for Archer’s mom. Now she’s no longer recognizable—while Jesus hangs out in the shed.
"We Are Still Here" (dirs. Beck Cole, Dena Curtis, Tracey Rigney, Danielle MacLean, Tim Worrall, Renae Maihi, Miki Magasiva, Mario Gaoa, Richard Curtis, Chantelle Burgoyne, 2022)
Ten leading Indigenous filmmakers from Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and the South Pacific craft a compellingly original and insightful anthology film in response to the 250th anniversary of a historically celebrated colonizer’s invasion of their lands.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - Ring Auditorium
American Ballet Theatre’s quintessential production of Swan Lake returns to pull D.C. audiences back under its spell. Journey to the enchanted lake, complete with soaring choreography, hauntingly beautiful music, and extravagant sets.
Young people with autism or sensory sensitivities are invited backstage at the Concert Hall for a small group tour. Play instruments on the stage, visit the artists’ dressing rooms, learn about how the lights and sound work, and more.
All children and teens must be accompanied by an adult. Each person attending must have a free ticket. Due to the small-group nature of this program, we recommend reserving tickets in advance, which also helps us plan. Tickets may be available at the door if space remains.
Six months ago, a massive flood wiped away most of Arcady. Born with cerebral palsy, unable to contact her family, and trapped in the library, Artemis has built the place into her sanctuary. Trying to find a way back to Aunt Maggie's house, Artemis soon learns of a new danger—a committee determined to claim the town for themselves.
Follow Artemis, Aunt Maggie, and a talking heron in the fight to save their dying town. First commissioned and released by the Kennedy Center as a radio play as part of WTYA Presents… in 2021, Tim J. Lord’s play transforms into a new musical, with music by Avi Amon and direction by Cara Phipps. This heartening world premiere amplifies the voice of a commonly overlooked community and teaches us how we can make the world a little better for everyone.
Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a docent-led tour designed for participants who are blind or have low vision. Discover highlights from the collection through rich verbal descriptions that invoke a multisensory experience.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Curious about American art? Join us for a 30-minute in-person conversation about selected works from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection. This program is presented in American Sign Language (ASL) with voice interpretation for hearing participants.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Emmet Cohen brings his living room to the Music Center for a live version of his popular weekly streaming show.
Emmet Cohen, an American pianist and composer, is one of his generation's pivotal figures in music. Leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio, he is an internationally acclaimed jazz artist, a dedicated educator, and the winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards. This performance includes special guests Jazzmeia Horn, Bruce Harris & Stacy Dillard. Use code ACCESS30 in front left orchestra for special ticket pricing,
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Winner of five Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. It’s brilliantly conceived and funny as hell” (Variety). Helmed by three-time Tony®-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America), this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy, at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious.
It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st century could drive a person crazy.
COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side,” and the iconic “Being Alive.” Let’s all drink to that!
Take the A-Train to a special afternoon of music paying tribute to the beloved jazz composer and bandleader! Conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the National Symphony Orchestra performs this swinging session as part of the Kennedy Center’s season-wide Duke Ellington at 125 celebration.
NEW PRODUCTION
Adapted from Jacques Offenbach’s La Périchole
New Orleans in the 1920s is roaring with decadence, but singers and lovers Songbird and Piquillo are down on hard times. As Mardi Gras arrives, the Mayor disguises himself and lures Songbird to be his mistress with the promise of food and lodging. Now Songbird must choose between financial security and true love. What’s a hungry artist to do?
Jazz meets operetta in this playful new riff on Jacques Offenbach’s La Périchole. Offenbach’s comedic love story is transported to the glimmer and corruption of New Orleans during Prohibition, while his melodies are reimagined in the swinging style of the Jazz Age. Grammy Award®–winning superstar mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard portrays a struggling artist torn between her living and her love; while Tony®-nominated leading man Ramin Karimloo stars as her fellow singer and lover. With toe-tapping music, glamorous costumes, mistaken identities, and comic twists, Songbird infuses Frenchman Street flair into the classic “opéra bouffe” while keeping all of its irresistible charm.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Winner of five Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. It’s brilliantly conceived and funny as hell” (Variety). Helmed by three-time Tony®-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America), this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy, at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious.
It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st century could drive a person crazy.
COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side,” and the iconic “Being Alive.” Let’s all drink to that!
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Winner of five Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. It’s brilliantly conceived and funny as hell” (Variety). Helmed by three-time Tony®-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America), this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy, at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious.
It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st century could drive a person crazy.
COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side,” and the iconic “Being Alive.” Let’s all drink to that!
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Winner of five Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. It’s brilliantly conceived and funny as hell” (Variety). Helmed by three-time Tony®-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America), this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy, at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious.
It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st century could drive a person crazy.
COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side,” and the iconic “Being Alive.” Let’s all drink to that!
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Winner of five Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. It’s brilliantly conceived and funny as hell” (Variety). Helmed by three-time Tony®-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America), this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy, at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious.
It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st century could drive a person crazy.
COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side,” and the iconic “Being Alive.” Let’s all drink to that!
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Look no further for top-notch ballet that’s also uproariously funny! The world’s foremost all-male comic ballet company, famed for performing en travesti and en pointe, is back with another sensational program spoofing some of your favorite works. Join in the fun of the company’s 50th anniversary season as the virtuosity of these dancers amaze, even as they send you into stitches by exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance.
The group will perform a program of mixed repertory including:
Swan Lake
Go for Barocco
Dying Swan
Paquita
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Our Audio-Described Performances of Little Shop of Horrors are scheduled for April 9, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27, 2024 at 2 p.m. We offer scheduled audio-described performances for all of our mainstage productions. To request an audio-describer for a different performance, please contact access@fords.org at least two weeks prior to your visit.
Little Shop of Horrors is a nonstop blast, sci-fi horror comedy, love story and rock musical that has become one of the most treasured pieces of American musical theatre. Little Shop pays homage to doo-wop and Motown recordings. The story follows a luckless florist shop worker, Seymour, who raises a wisecracking carnivorous plant – Audrey II – that develops a craving for human blood. He delights in the fame and fortune that his leafy, ever-growing friend attracts, while trying to show his co-worker Audrey that she is the girl of his dreams. As Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent toward world domination, he learns the lesson: “Don’t feed the plants!” Join us for the return of Little Shop to our historic theatre, directed by Kevin S. McAllister (The Wiz, Ragtime).
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Guided by Duke Ellington’s great canon, Jason Moran takes a solo piano climb up “Mount Ellington” in this extraordinary celebration of the composer’s enduring legacy. Experience the timeless genius of Ellington’s music, brilliantly reimagined by Moran and paired with iconic images of The Duke by legendary photographer Gordon Parks.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a docent-led virtual tour designed for participants who are blind or have low vision. Discover highlights from the collection through rich verbal descriptions that invoke a multisensory experience.
Our ASL-Interpreted Performance of Little Shop of Horrors is scheduled for April 11, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. We offer scheduled sign-interpreted performances for all of our mainstage productions. Sign-Interpreted services are not available by request. With the GalaPro Free Closed Captioning Mobile App, real-time closed captions are available for mainstage performances.
Little Shop of Horrors is a nonstop blast, sci-fi horror comedy, love story and rock musical that has become one of the most treasured pieces of American musical theatre. Little Shop pays homage to doo-wop and Motown recordings. The story follows a luckless florist shop worker, Seymour, who raises a wisecracking carnivorous plant – Audrey II – that develops a craving for human blood. He delights in the fame and fortune that his leafy, ever-growing friend attracts, while trying to show his co-worker Audrey that she is the girl of his dreams. As Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent toward world domination, he learns the lesson: “Don’t feed the plants!” Join us for the return of Little Shop to our historic theatre, directed by Kevin S. McAllister (The Wiz, Ragtime).
The peaceful village of Bebko is alive with joyous celebrations. Suddenly, under attack, everything changes forever. Three siblings, Leto, Mati, and Tana, must embark on perilous journeys in order to survive. Message In A Bottle is a spectacular new dance-theater show from five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince, inspired by and set to the iconic hits of Kennedy Center Honoree and 17-time Grammy® Award–winning artist Sting.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective. The critically acclaimed ensemble explores key elements of jazz in an engaging, historically grounded way, featuring virtuoso musical performance, exciting storytelling, and energizing movement.
As part of the Kennedy Center’s season-wide Ellington 125 celebration, the performance will feature multiple Duke Ellington compositions and share fun facts from his life story. Representing jazz as a Black American art form that grew beyond its community to embrace the values of diversity and inclusion, the ensemble includes a talented lineup of musicians reflecting its audiences’ diversity and inspiring the next generation of jazz listeners!
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Music! Food! Fun! Join us for another Kennedy Center Block Party hosted by Education Artist-in-Residence and award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson! Free performances, fun-filled games, and various activities will be programmed on the REACH grounds all afternoon, featuring artists with roots in the Washington, D.C. area.
Reservations encouraged, but not required. Pre-registrants will be entered into a lottery to receive a discounted parking voucher for the Kennedy Center parking garage (details below).
The peaceful village of Bebko is alive with joyous celebrations. Suddenly, under attack, everything changes forever. Three siblings, Leto, Mati, and Tana, must embark on perilous journeys in order to survive.
Message In A Bottle is a spectacular new dance-theatre show from five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince, inspired by and set to the iconic hits of Kennedy Center Honoree and 17-time Grammy® Award–winning artist Sting, including “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” “Walking on the Moon,” and more. With a mix of exhilarating dance styles, high-energy footwork, and breathtaking athleticism, Message In A Bottle tells a unifying and uplifting story of humanity and hope.
This show is the latest masterpiece from the groundbreaking creator behind West End hits Some Like It Hip Hop, Into the Hoods, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (choreography), and SYLVIA (Old Vic) and features the astonishing talents of dance storytelling powerhouse ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company.
Recommended for age 12 and up. Contains some scenes of an adult nature.
FREE! Celebrate the esteemed recipients of the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship: virtuoso vocalist/pianist Amina Claudine Myers, prolific saxophonist Gary Bartz, Grammy-winning trumpet player Terence Blanchard, and Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival Willard Jenkins. This concert event features performances by 2024 recipients, powerful tributes, special guest artists, and more.
All tickets for this event have been claimed. Please check back for additional availability. Standby tickets may be available day-of—see below for details. Need to return your tickets? Click here.
FREE! Celebrate the esteemed recipients of the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship: virtuoso vocalist/pianist Amina Claudine Myers, prolific saxophonist Gary Bartz, Grammy-winning trumpet player Terence Blanchard, and Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival Willard Jenkins. This concert event features performances by 2024 recipients, powerful tributes, special guest artists, and more.
All tickets for this event have been claimed. Please check back for additional availability. Standby tickets may be available day-of at the Satellite Box Office at Millenium Stage North on a first-come first-served basis starting at 7:15 p.m., with a standby line forming at 5:30 p.m.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
The peaceful village of Bebko is alive with joyous celebrations. Suddenly, under attack, everything changes forever. Three siblings, Leto, Mati, and Tana, must embark on perilous journeys in order to survive. Message In A Bottle is a spectacular new dance-theater show from five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince, inspired by and set to the iconic hits of Kennedy Center Honoree and 17-time Grammy® Award–winning artist Sting.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Garrison Keillor launched his live weekly variety radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, in 1974. Although the show ended in 2016, its 50th anniversary is being celebrated with a tour featuring music, comedy sketches, and updates on the day-to-day life of the beloved fictional town of Lake Wobegon, Minnesota—where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average. Keillor will be joined by vocalists Christine DiGiallonardo and Heather Masse, plus the Royal Academy of Radio Actors and other acts, including the comedy skit Guy Noir, Private Eye, an address from the American Duct Tape Council, and an audience singalong.
Use code ACCESS30 to unlock Caption Seats and special pricing in front left orchestra, seats are marked with a C.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Leading Towards Impact A Dialogue with Dr. Clarence B. Jones and Christina H. Paxson, President, Brown University
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm April 19, 2024
Join the Leadership Alliance for a conversation with Civil Rights leader Dr. Clarence B. Jones, and president Christina H. Paxson of Brown University moderated by Dr. Taiese Bingham-Hickman, Executive Director of The Leadership Alliance, as they explore the ways in which scholarship can provoke discussion, awareness, and action on racial justice and social equity in higher education. The program will feature performances by Dillard University Ladies Ensemble and the Gallaudet University Dance Group.
7 p.m. - Dillard University Ladies Ensemble and Gallaudet University Dance Group
7:45 p.m. - Dr. Clarence B. Jones, President Christina Paxson
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
Leading Towards Impact A Dialogue with Dr. Clarence B. Jones and Christina H. Paxson, President, Brown University
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm April 19, 2024
Join the Leadership Alliance for a conversation with Civil Rights leader Dr. Clarence B. Jones, and president Christina H. Paxson of Brown University moderated by Dr. Taiese Bingham-Hickman, Executive Director of The Leadership Alliance, as they explore the ways in which scholarship can provoke discussion, awareness, and action on racial justice and social equity in higher education. The program will feature performances by Dillard University Ladies Ensemble and the Gallaudet University Dance Group.
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. (She’ll ultimately fail at all three.) A very, very funny play about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Ellington 125 Three Keys to Ellington: Justin Kauflin, José André Montaño, Matthew Whitaker
7:35 pm – 8:35 pm April 26, 2024
At this Duke Ellington–inspired piano showcase, we spotlight three ferociously talented award-winning musicians: Justin Kauflin, José André Montaño, and Matthew Whitaker. Join us for an evening that will delight the jazz piano lover in your life. This performance is part of The Rosemary Kennedy Performing & Visual Arts Series.
Strathmore & Washington Performing Arts Present
TERENCE BLANCHARD with The E-Collective, Turtle Island Quartet & Andrew F. Scott
FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES: OPERA SUITE IN CONCERT
featuring Justin Austin & Adrienne Danrich
Fire Shut Up In My Bones, Blanchard’s second “opera in jazz,” is a cultural flashpoint that affirms opera and classical music as inclusive spaces. This concert production, a collaboration between Blanchard and the E-Collective, David Balakrishnan and his two-time Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet, and visual artist Andrew F. Scott, features excerpts from the opera performed by the composer, an ensemble, and two guest singers. Together, the music and video projections provide audiences with a deeper understanding of Blanchard’s artistic vision and the gravitational pull of the moment that he has created.
This performance contains content that references incidents of sexual assault and child abuse and may not be suitable for children or young teens.
Use code ACCESS30 to unlock special pricing in front left orchestra.
Ellington 125 Three Keys to Ellington: Justin Kauflin, José André Montaño, Matthew Whitaker
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm April 26, 2024
At this Duke Ellington–inspired piano showcase, we spotlight three ferociously talented award-winning musicians: Justin Kauflin, José André Montaño, and Matthew Whitaker. Join us for an evening that will delight the jazz piano lover in your life. This performance is part of The Rosemary Kennedy Performing & Visual Arts Series.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Our Audio-Described Performances of Little Shop of Horrors are scheduled for April 9, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27, 2024 at 2 p.m. We offer scheduled audio-described performances for all of our mainstage productions. To request an audio-describer for a different performance, please contact access@fords.org at least two weeks prior to your visit.
Little Shop of Horrors is a nonstop blast, sci-fi horror comedy, love story and rock musical that has become one of the most treasured pieces of American musical theatre. Little Shop pays homage to doo-wop and Motown recordings. The story follows a luckless florist shop worker, Seymour, who raises a wisecracking carnivorous plant – Audrey II – that develops a craving for human blood. He delights in the fame and fortune that his leafy, ever-growing friend attracts, while trying to show his co-worker Audrey that she is the girl of his dreams. As Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent toward world domination, he learns the lesson: “Don’t feed the plants!” Join us for the return of Little Shop to our historic theatre, directed by Kevin S. McAllister (The Wiz, Ragtime).
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
The Illusionists is the world’s biggest-selling magic show. It has played hundreds of cities, spawned two TV specials, and shattered box office records across the globe, dazzling audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This nonstop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions featuring the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Don't miss your chance to perform alongside some of DC's best actors in readings of brand new plays by leading playwrights! The Dramathon is tons of fun for a great cause, and it's one of our MOST EXCITING events of the year. All funds benefit our Send a Kid to Theatre Camp campaign, which provides scholarships to children and teens for our summer camps and institutes. All you have to do is raise a minimum of $100 by April 12.
The Dramathon performance returns in person this year on Monday, April 29. Participants will meet area directors, actors, and playwrights in a one-of-a-kind performance experience - with no previous acting experience and no memorization required! The first step toward the Dramathon spotlight is to register online. We'll set up your donation page, and then your friends, family, colleagues, and community will help you raise money for a great cause. The more scholarship money you raise, the better the roles you will be assigned to play. Once you're cast, you can then invite your family and friends to the event on April 29 for an evening of fun and entertainment.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Join friends and fans of The Keegan Theatre for a social evening of trivia… for cheaters! Bring a team and compete to be named the brainiest theater lovers in the city — or cheat your way to the top by buying cheats along the way! Complimentary pizza, wings, and snacks provided, plus your first drink is free.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Opera Lafayette Presents: Jean-Joseph Mouret’s Les Fêtes de Thalie
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm May 3, 2024
Mouret’s spirited opéra-ballet, Les Fêtes de Thalie, looks at love through the eyes of three women in these delightful vignettes: La Fille (The Girl), La Veuve Coquette (The Coquettish Widow) and La Femme (The Wife). Conducted by Christophe Rousset and directed by Catherine Turocy, these witty tales, in which women get the better of the men in their lives, feature a young and diverse cast of American singers and dancers.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm April 13, 2024 – August 8, 2024
On a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of jazz in an engaging way, Swing Makes You Sing! is an award-winning jazz concert for kids ages 2 to 102 by Svetlana & the New York Collective.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+
Join us for our Sensory-Friendly performance of Little Shop of Horrors! Please call (202) 347-4833 to reserve tickets or email access@fords.org with questions. Sensory-Friendly experiences are designed to create a museum or theatre experience that is welcoming for individuals on the autism spectrum or those with other sensory sensitivities who might benefit from an adjusted environment. Our Sensory-Friendly experiences aim to provide a safe environment where individuals and families can relax and be who they are.
Little Shop of Horrors is a nonstop blast, sci-fi horror comedy, love story and rock musical that has become one of the most treasured pieces of American musical theatre. Little Shop pays homage to doo-wop and Motown recordings. The story follows a luckless florist shop worker, Seymour, who raises a wisecracking carnivorous plant – Audrey II – that develops a craving for human blood. He delights in the fame and fortune that his leafy, ever-growing friend attracts, while trying to show his co-worker Audrey that she is the girl of his dreams. As Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent toward world domination, he learns the lesson: “Don’t feed the plants!” Join us for the return of Little Shop to our historic theatre, directed by Kevin S. McAllister (The Wiz, Ragtime).
Opera Lafayette Presents: Jean-Joseph Mouret’s Les Fêtes de Thalie
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm May 4, 2024
Mouret’s spirited opéra-ballet, Les Fêtes de Thalie, looks at love through the eyes of three women in these delightful vignettes: La Fille (The Girl), La Veuve Coquette (The Coquettish Widow) and La Femme (The Wife). Conducted by Christophe Rousset and directed by Catherine Turocy, these witty tales, in which women get the better of the men in their lives, feature a young and diverse cast of American singers and dancers.