BOX OFFICE 301-277-1710; TTY 301-277-0312
Directions To Publick Playhouse

The Publick Playhouse is committed to making the arts a vital element of the community. Cultural diversity is a hallmark of the theater that attracts audiences from throughout the greater Washington metropolitan area for music and modern dance, musical theater, historic drama, and monthly Saturday Morning at the Movies - Vaudeville Style. The Playhouse presents national and international touring acts and professional touring children's theatre to introduce school groups to the performing arts. In recent years, several prominent international tours have made the Publick Playhouse their only mid-Atlantic performance stop. The theatre is also a popular venue for area performing arts groups and is available as a rental facility to community organizations. Known to be one of the area's most inviting and best acoustical performance spaces, the Publick Playhouse is conveniently located less than half a mile off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, and just 10 minutes from Capitol Hill.

The Playhouse opened as the Cheverly Theatre in 1947. Designed as an environmental movie theatre with ornate sky scenes on the ceiling and a plush art deco interior, the Cheverly was a popular attraction throughout the 1950s and 1960s. A group of supporters joined the M-NCPPC in 1975 to purchase and renovate the old theatre, and the Publick Playhouse reopened as a performing arts hall exactly 30 years after the gala opening of the Cheverly Theatre. Programming is designed to appeal to all ages, and ticket prices are purposely moderate to encourage everyone's attendance. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 am-5 pm, and two hours before each performance. Call 301-277-1710, TTY 301-277-0312. The Playhouse is accessible to individuals with mobility impairments. Sign interpreted and audio described performances are available with two weeks prior notice; infrared enhanced listening devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free car and bus parking is located on well-lighted lots to the rear and east of the Playhouse. For more information about the Playhouse and its programs, contact staff Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm or during box office hours.

Located at the intersection of Landover and Annapolis Roads (Routes 202 and 450), the Playhouse offers varied programs. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the theatre during an event. Call for a complete listing of community arts programs and to confirm programming.

Weekend Performances Series

Midweek Matinees

Saturday Morning at the Movies

Platinum Series for Seniors

Community Arts

Arts Surveys

Directions to Publick Playhouse

Weekend Performance Series

Friday, Apr. 25, 8 pm Saturday, Apr. 26, 8 pm Dallas Black Dance Theatre The innovative, award-winning internationally touring company returns with a new program in a full dance concert that combines exceptional modern, jazz and spiritual works, plus surprises, all by leading choreographers. Tickets: $20; $18/seniors & students; $15/DancePass

Saturday, May 10, 8 pm Kevin So Breaking onto the national scene, R&B/pop/hip hop artists Kevin So follows the traditions of his influences - Stevie Wonder, Tupac Shakur, Miles Davis and Marvin Gaye, "with a little Richard Pryor thrown in." Well known in the Boston and New York club scenes, Kevin is in demand for touring concert appearances. This is a chance to see a rising artist of national impact. Tickets: $15; $10/seniors & students

Friday, May 16, 8 pm Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company The full dance concert presents striking and innovative choreography by award-winning Nai-Ni Chen and her large dance company, along with colorful, elaborate costumed works from the traditional dance repertoire of Asia. Tickets: $15; $12/seniors and students

Saturday, July 19, 11 am Russian American Kids Circus on Stage These amazing young performers return with an incredible new show for the whole family. Tickets purchased before June 30: $8; $7/seniors & groups of 15 or more Tickets purchased on or after June 30: $10

Wednesday, Apr. 23, 10:15 am & 12 noon Thursday, Apr. 24, 10:15 am & 12 noon Dallas Black Dance Theatre Lecture/Demo See modern dance at its high-energy, exciting best, plus members of the young audience volunteer to go on stage and try some modern dance moves themselves. Recommended for grades pre-K & up Tickets: $6; $5/groups of 15 or more

Wednesday, Apr. 23, 6 pm & 7:30 pm Thursday, Apr. 24, 6 pm & 7:30 pm Dallas Black Dance Theatre Master Classes Train with the best! Wednesday classes in modern dance: intermediate 6-7:15 pm; advanced 7:30-9 pm. Thursday classes in liturgical dance: dancers age 6-12, 6-7:15 pm; ages 13 & up, 7:30-9 pm. Fee: $15/class; $7 to observe

Monday, May 12, 10:15 am & 12 noon Tuesday, May 13, 10:15 am & 12 noon Let Your Children Tell The Touring Theatre Ensemble of North Carolina brings a dramatic theatre documentary about the Holocaust following the lives of young people from Austria, Hungary and The Netherlands who recorded the ways in which Nazi Germany's edicts, laws, and horrific deeds affected their lives. This is a timely topic that explores racism, discrimination and prejudice as it existed then and now. Recommended for grades 3 & up Tickets: $6; $5/groups of 15 or more

Thursday, May 15, 10:15 am & 12 noon Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company A not-to-be missed performance led by a colorful and energetic company, complete with authentic costumes and colorful props that celebrate the new and ancient dances of Asia. Recommended for grades pre-K and up Tickets: $6; $5/groups of 15 or more

Tuesday, July 15, 10 am & 12:30 pm; Wednesday, July 16, 10 am & 12:30 pm; Thursday, July 17, 10 am & 12:30 pm, and Friday, July 18, 10 am & 12:30 pm Russian American Kids Circus on Stage The young juggling, ball-walking, bike-riding acrobats are back by popular demand with a spellbinding new production that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Recommended for all ages Tickets purchased before June 30: $8; $7/groups of 15 or more Tickets purchased on or after June 30: $10

Tuesday, July 15-Friday, July 18, 6-8 pm Russian American Kids Circus Workshops Train with artistic director and Moscow Circus star Alex Berenchtein and his talented young circus performers to learn some tricks of the trade. Then on Saturday, you will be onstage at the Playhouse, performing after the professional circus! Space is limited. Register now! Fee for four-day workshop: $35/person

Saturday, May 10, 11 am Entertainment: Griot Baba C Movie: Evan Almightily Baba C and Tomorrow's Voices bring funny and fascinating tales of the old world, and then a congressman is called upon by God (played by Morgan Freeman) to build an ark in a movie comedy of Biblical proportions. Tickets: $5

Saturday, June 14, 11 am Entertainment: Mandy the Clown Movie: Shrek the Third Mandy gets the audience laughing, followed by Shrek as the new head of the Land Far Far Away, where Princess Fiona and her royal girlfriends fend off a wicked plot. Tickets: $5

Saturday, July 12, 11 am Entertainment: Don Juan the Black Prince of Magic Movie: Night in the Museum The Black Prince of Magic will show you some tricks, then Ben Stiller plays a new night security guard who discovers an ancient curse that awakens the animal exhibits and wrecks havoc throughout the Museum of Natural History. Tickets: $5

Calling all Senior Citizens! We invite you to meet at the Playhouse for monthly movies and occasional special live performances that are held just for you.

Friday, Apr 25, 11 am Performance: Dallas Black Dance Theatre The high energy and intentionally acclaimed dance troupe from Texas will be back with a fabulous new lecture/demo presentation just for senior citizens. Tickets: $5

Monday, May 12, 11 am Movie: Monster-In-Law Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez face off in this battle of wits when J-Lo discovers that the man of her dreams comes with the mother of her nightmares. Tickets: $5

Monday, June 16, 11 am Movie: Pride This wonderful true story features Jim Ellis, an African-American swim coach, who saved an inner-city public pool from closing and recruited at-risk teens to try to be champions. Tickets: $5

Monday, July 14, 11 am Movie: Something's Gotta Give When a middle-age writer falls for an old rogue and has her heart broken, she gets her revenge by making his aging medical problems the riotously funny subject of a hit Broadway play. Tickets: $5

The Publick Playhouse is home to numerous community arts groups who provide theatrical performances, gospel concerts, dance recitals, and more. Several of these organizations have consistently chosen the Publick Playhouse as their preferred place for performing.

Thursday, May 1, 7:30 pm Friday, May 2, 7:30 pm Saturday, May 3, 2 pm & 7:30 pm Sunday, May 4, 2 pm & 6:30 pm The Wizard of Oz The Cheverly Young Actors Guild presents a live stage version of the MGM musical movie hit, complete with flying witches and monkeys. Tickets: $12; $10/seniors & students; $8/ages 12 and under

• Artists
  The Arts and Cultural Heritage Division is developing an inventory of Prince George's County performing artists including, but not limited to, musicians, actors, theatre professionals, dancers, etc. for a listing in a new County Registry of Performing Artists and Companies. The Registry will help the public locate performers for special events. Fill out our Artist Registry Form.
  
  
• Elementary and Middle School Teachers
  Arts Alive! has been a program of the M-NCPPC, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division for the past 20 years. We are seeking your input about the types of programs/performers that would support your classroom activities with an online survey. Please fill out the survey so we can better meet you needs, your input is most appreciated.