Friday, September 19, 2008

Looking for something a bit more cultured than "Monday Night Football"? More engaging than Saturday morning cartoons? Then the National Theatre has you covered with a full slate of free performances through mid-December.

Scheduled events include poetry readings and performances by illusionists, vocalists and percussionists. Head over after work starting Monday for an a cappella choral performance by the Master Singers of Virginia. Anglophiles will enjoy the group's repertoire evocative of Elizabethan England, including "Gloriana," an ode to Queen Elizabeth I.

Other Monday highlights include a program by the Nepal Dance School on Oct. 6, including pieces influenced by Buddhism and Bollywood, and illusionist Carnegie performs his reality-defying stunts Oct. 27, just in time for Halloween. The season concludes Dec. 8 when the Rev. Nolan Williams and the New InSpiration Choir bring the sounds of gospel to the theater as the holiday season gets underway.

The theater's Saturday morning series is designed with children in mind. Check out "A Bard Day's Night" on Sept. 27, when the students of Stageplay perform Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" in a version adapted for children with music by the Beatles.

Magic will be in the air in mid-October: Bert the Nerd performs feats of skill and stunts Oct. 18, while Benjamin Corey makes objects disappear into thin air Oct. 25. The season wraps up Dec. 13 as the Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax performs a condensed version of "The Nutcracker."

-- Alex Baldinger

MONDAY NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL Shows are at 6 and 7:30.

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE NATIONAL Shows are at 9:30

and 11.

1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW. 202-783-3372.http://www.nationaltheatre.org. Space is limited, and free tickets are required. They are distributed 30 minutes before each performance on a first-come, first-served basis.