Kids Get Full Access to Family-Friendly FALSTAFF with Washington National Opera 10/17

Washington National Opera (WNO) will present its sixth-annual Family Look-In, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of an opera, Saturday, October 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The Family Look-In introduces children and their families to the magical world of opera. This year's Look-In features fully staged excerpts from Giuseppe Verdi's comedy, Falstaff, complete with sets and costumes from WNO's mainstage production. ABC-7 WJLA anchor Maureen Bunyan narrates the one-hour program, which includes commentary and interactive demonstrations by members of the orchestra and production team. See below for program and ticketing information.

"Washington National Opera's program is a great opportunity for young people to have an authentic opera experience as well as a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how an opera comes together," commented WNO Executive Director Mark Weinstein. "We are committed to serving the youngest members of our community by bringing to them great opera and educational programs that are interactive, engaging, and fun."

This effervescent re-telling of Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV pokes fun at one of Shakespeare's most distinctive and beloved characters, the pompous Sir John Falstaff. The Family Look-In includes fully staged scenes from the opera, performed in Italian with English supertitles (projected English-language translations) by members of WNO's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and the WNO Orchestra. Israel Gursky conducts the cast of Young Artists and will lead the audience in the interactive musical experience.

WNO's production staff will reveal the theater-craft of opera, such as lighting and costume design, with demonstrations from the stage. Narration by ABC-7 WJLA's Maureen Bunyan seamlessly ties the program together.

The Look-In program is repeated for public and private school classes on October 27 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., bringing the total number of families and teachers reached through the Look-In program to approximately 6,000.

Washington National Opera's Family Look-In is appropriate for elementary-aged children five and up. In advance of the performance, families attending the Family Look-In will receive preparatory materials, including a Falstaff Family Guide and a complimentary educational CD with a synopsis, musical excerpts and historical information.

Complete Program Information:
Washington National Opera's Falstaff Family Look-In
Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
Kennedy Center Opera House

Patron Information

* Tickets are $10 and $15 for youth 15 and under; $15 to $35 for adults
* There is a maximum of two youth tickets per one adult ticket purchased
* Each ticket order includes an informative and entertaining Falstaff Family Guide and complimentary educational CD
* Tickets may be purchased through Audience Services, 202.295.2400 or 800.US.OPERA