Aesop's Fables at Adventure Theatre MTC Is a Must-See for DC-Area Families

Adventure Theatre MTC is having quite a season, and their latest production, Aesop's Fables, may be the crown jewel. Playing now through May 24, 2026, at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, Maryland, this energetic and warmhearted show is the kind of theatre experience that reminds you why live performance matters — especially for young audiences.

Written by Mike Kenny and directed with a sure and inventive hand by Ray Ficca, Aesop's Fables follows a traveling troupe of actors who arrive with a trunk full of props and costumes and a plan to put on a show — even if everything doesn't go quite according to script. The conceit is as old as theatre itself, and it works beautifully here, giving the production a playful, anything-can-happen energy that keeps both children and adults leaning in. The troupe brings five beloved fables to life: "The Tortoise and the Hare," "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," "The North Wind and the Sun," "The Lion and the Mouse," and "The Wolf and the Crane." Each story is told with economy and wit, delivering its moral lesson without ever feeling preachy — a genuinely difficult balance to strike in Theatre for Young Audiences.

Ficca's direction makes exceptional use of Adventure Theatre's intimate space, finding creative ways to build levels, physical comedy, and kinetic energy into every moment. A call-and-response warm-up at the top of the show draws the young audience in immediately, establishing the joyful performer-audience relationship that carries the entire production. Children are invited to shout, clap, and cheer throughout, and on opening night they responded with enthusiastic delight.

The four-person ensemble is uniformly excellent. Susan Marie Rhea anchors the show as Wolfie, the troupe's self-appointed leader, bringing a blend of authority and genuine warmth that commands the stage from first entrance to final bow. Her Wolf in "The Wolf and the Crane" is a particular standout. Ariel Friendly as Harriett brings a natural, effervescent energy — her Hare in "The Tortoise and the Hare" is so delightfully self-assured that you can't help but smile even as you know what's coming. Carl L. Williams as Syd demonstrates remarkable versatility, shifting from a long-necked crane to a thundering lion with committed physical precision that makes the transformations look entirely effortless. Noah Mutterperl rounds out the company as Barry, the troupe's lovably unprepared newcomer, bringing both broad comedy and, in a quietly moving late moment, a surprising touch of genuine heart.
The design team matches the performers' energy at every level. Megan Holden's set evokes a traveling stage complete with title banners announcing each fable, making clever use of every inch of the space. Paris Francesca's costumes manage the neat trick of being specific enough that each new character reads clearly while remaining minimalist enough for the cast to transform in seconds. Lynn Joslin's lighting is colorful and playful, and the live, actor-generated sound effects add an acoustic warmth that gives the whole production a storybook charm.

There are also a few well-placed winks for the grown-ups in the room — including kazoo renditions of music from West Side Story and Chariots of Fire — that reward adult attention without ever alienating the children. It's the kind of generous creative touch that signals a production team thinking about every person in the house.

At roughly 35-40 minutes with no intermission, the show is perfectly calibrated for its audience. It never overstays its welcome, and the only real complaint from those who've seen it seems to be that it ends too soon. The themes running through all five fables — honesty, humility, compassion, the cost of deception — feel quietly resonant right now, and Adventure Theatre MTC deserves credit for putting this particular material in front of young audiences at this particular moment.

If you're looking for an ideal family outing, Aesop's Fables delivers on every front. And as an added bonus, the historic carousel at Glen Echo Park is open for the season, making for a perfect before-or-after treat.