Alden Theatre Announces Its 2009-2010 McLean Kids Performance Series, Tickets On Sale 9/9

The Alden Theatre in McLean announces its 2009-2010 McLean Kids Performance Series, which features an array of noted children's performers from around the country, including The Teddy Bear Band of Minnesota and The Sippy Cups of San Francisco. Some of the performers also will lead workshops after their shows on such topics as juggling, mime and puppet-making. Tickets for all events go on sale at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The Alden Theatre is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.

Pushcart Players in
www.pushcartplayers.org
Happily Ever After-A Cinderella Tale
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.

For ages 4+. This musical adaptation of the classic tale takes you on a magical journey, fueled by inner beauty, courage and kindness as the characters triumph over greed, arrogance and bullying behavior. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Teddy Bear Band
www.teddybearband.com
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2 p.m.

For ages 3+. Bring your teddy bears and come sing, clap and play with the Teddy Bear Band from Minnesota. Children and parents alike will delight in this wonderful musical experience. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Al Simmons in Sounds Crazy
www.alsimmons.com
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.
For ages 5+. Hilarious songs, slapstick comedy and general mayhem will reign supreme as Al Simmons takes the stage. His concert is full of bizarre gadgets, wild costumes, silly songs, crazy vaudeville-inspired routines and, of course, bad puns. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Sounds Crazy Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 7, 3:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the Box Office

For ages 5+. Build musical instruments made from junk with Al Simmons. The workshop will consist of a demonstration of the science of sound and of Al's homemade orchestral instruments, followed by participants creating their own instruments from junk and concluding with a giant jam session. Tickets are $10 per child (ages 5 and older) accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Yosi and the Super Dads-Rockin' Hanukkah Concert
www.yosimusic.com
Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m.

For ages 3+. You've never heard your classic Hanukkah songs done quite this way! An interactive and humorous family concert filled with klezmer, rock, ska, jazz and, of course, rockin' Hanukkah tunes! "Yosi and the Superdads, a group that isn't afraid to add shades of U2 to Jewish music." - The New York Times
Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

The Gizmo Guys
www.thegizmoguys.com
Saturday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m.

For ages 5+. Jugglers Extraordinaire! The Gizmo Guys' rapid-fire act exhilarates and inspires sidesplitting laughter in audience members of all ages. What makes this act so appealing is the uniquely winning combination of dazzling technique and infectious humor. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Tennis Ball Juggling Workshop
Saturday, Jan. 16, 3:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the Box Office

For ages 9+. Join the Gizmo Guys in a basic juggling workshop and learn from these master jugglers how to juggle with tennis balls. Tickets are $10 per child (ages 9 and older) accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Theatreworks USA presents Max and Ruby
www.twusa.org
Sunday, Feb. 7, 3 p.m.

For ages 3+. Big sisters have big responsibilities, especially when the little brother is a big trouble-maker! Follow the escapades of bunny siblings Max and Ruby in this new musical inspired by RoseMary Wells' books and based on the popular television program on Nick Jr. and Noggin. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Grey Seal Puppets presents A Show of Virtues
www.grealsealpuppets.com
Sunday, March 21, 3 p.m.

For ages 6+. Inspired by the William J. Bennett's The Children's Book of Virtues, Grey Seal Puppets will present a program of stories that include: The Little Hero of Holland, The Tortoise and the Hare, Please and Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Grey Seal Puppet Workshop
Sunday, March 21, 4:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the Box Office

For ages 6+. Join puppeteer Drew Allison from Grey Seal Puppets in a demonstration of hand, rod and shadow puppets. End the workshop by making your very own puppet to have and to hold! Tickets are $10 per child (ages 6 and older) accompanied by a parent/guardian.

ArtsPower presents Harry the Dirty Dog
www.artspower.org
Saturday, April 17, 2 p.m.

For ages 4+. ArtsPower's new musical, based on the classic book by Gene Zion, captures both the whimsical humor and touching dedication to family found in Harry's story. Harry has everything a little white dog with black spots could want. There's just one problem: he hates taking baths. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Crabgrass Puppet Theatre in The Day It Snowed Tortillas
www.crabgrasspuppets.com
Saturday, April 24, 2 p.m.

For ages 4+. Crabgrass Puppet Theatre presents a Mexican-American folk tale with rod puppets. One day Pedro wakes up to find tortillas all over the ground and he thinks they have fallen from the sky. As the story continues, the truth of how they got there is revealed with great fun. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Puppet Extravaganza Workshop
Saturday, April 24, 3:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the Box Office

For ages 6+. The fun continues with our popular workshops. Create your very own finger puppets and stage for a puppet show in your own home! Tickets are $10 per child (ages 6 and older) accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Doug Berky's Gems: The World's Wisdom Stories
www.dougberkytheatre.com
Sunday, May 16, 3 p.m.

For ages 6+. This collection of international stories is performed with large masks, puppets, mime, drama, comedy, music and storytelling. Gems is an event that allows the audience to experience treasures of knowledge and wisdom that people around the world have passed on to their children. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.

Mask Workshop
Sunday, May 16, 4:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the Box Office

For ages 10+. Explore movement, character development, masks and the illusions of mime with master mask maker and theatre artist Doug Berky. Doug will teach you how to transform into a character on stage using mask and theatre movement techniques. Through physical theatre games, you will learn to communicate and cooperate with a group using few words. Tickets are $10 per child (ages 10 and older) accompanied by a parent/guardian.

The Sippy Cups
www.thesippycups.com
Saturday, June 5, 2 p.m.

For ages 3+. The Sippy Cups will present their spectacular live show, which includes such wonders as giant balloons, confetti cannons, aerialists and costumed characters bringing their songs to vivid, colorful life. Tickets are $14, $10 for McLean district residents.
Tickets will go on sale at noon, Wednesday, Sept. 9! To purchase tickets, stop by the Alden Theatre Box Office, or to purchase tickets by telephone or online, contact TICKETMASTER at 703-573-SEAT, or www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit: www.mcleancenter.org.