Gabby's Dollhouse Live! Brings Cat-Tastic Magic to National Theatre

The beloved Netflix preschool sensation is making its way to Washington, D.C., as Gabby's Dollhouse Live! takes the stage at the National Theatre on January 21-22, 2026. This marks a significant stop in the show's highly anticipated second North American tour leg, bringing the colorful world of Gabby and her cat friends to life for D.C. families.

Gabby's Dollhouse Live! at The National Theatre

Unlike many children's touring productions that simply adapt existing episodes, Gabby's Dollhouse Live! features a completely original storyline designed specifically for the stage. In this a-MEOW-zing musical show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a color cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colors again to set things right.

The adventure takes audiences on a journey through beloved Dollhouse locations including the Cat-O-Sphere and Mermaid-Lantis, as Gabby, Pandy Paws, and their feline friends work together to restore the rainbow and help the magical acorn flourish.

Gabby's Dollhouse first premiered on Netflix on January 5, 2021, combining live-action and animation to create a unique viewing experience for preschoolers. Created by Blue's Clues veterans Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, the series follows Gabby (voiced and portrayed by Laila Lockhart Kraner) and her cat friends (called the Gabby Cats) as they go on adventures inside the dollhouse.

The show has become a global phenomenon, currently in its 11th season and ranking among the top 10 most-watched TV shows on Netflix in 57 countries. Each episode begins with the live-action Gabby playing in her bedroom, where she unboxes a miniature package received in the Dollhouse Delivery brought to her Meow-Meow Mailbox that serves as the catalyst for an adventure inside the animated world of her dollhouse.

The live stage production promises to be far more than a passive viewing experience. Executive producer Jonathan Shank of Terrapin Station Entertainment emphasized the show's interactive elements: "One of my favorite songs is Celebrate Your Sparkle. We bring together all of Gabby's Dollhouse characters-Cakey, DJ Catnip, Kitty Fairy-and it's just a really fun show with life-size puppets, original music, and a really engaging, interactive storyline."

The production features life-size puppets, dynamic staging, and a talented cast of singer-actor-puppeteers who bring the beloved characters to life. Interactive elements are built directly into the experience, with "incredible friendship flowers that become part of the show and connect the audience to the stage," Shank explained.

Fans of the series will recognize beloved songs including "Hey Gabby," "You Can't Spell Meow Without Me," and "Sprinkle Party," alongside new musical numbers created specifically for the touring production. The show runs approximately 75 minutes with a 15-minute intermission between two 30-minute acts, making it perfectly paced for young audiences.

The production also features characters that have become household names among preschoolers: Cakey the cupcake cat who creates sweet treats and sprinkles, DJ Catnip the music-loving cat who operates from the dollhouse's music room, MerCat the science-savvy mermaid cat, and the crafty Box Cat Family, among others.

The National Theatre performances come at an exciting time for the Gabby's Dollhouse franchise. Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie opening September 26, 2025, featuring Laila Lockhart Kraner reprising her role as Gabby alongside new cast members including Gloria Estefan and Kristen Wiig. The film follows Gabby on a road trip to "Cat-Francisco" where she must rescue her dollhouse from an eccentric cat lady.

Following a sold-out first run this fall, Gabby's Dollhouse Live! will launch a second North American leg on January 14, 2026, at Macon Auditorium in Macon, Georgia, before rolling into more than 40 additional cities.

For Shank, the timing couldn't be better: "I actually started looking at this property in 2022 and thought there was a chance it could be a successful touring property, based on how it was connecting with children and families. Gabby's Dollhouse seemed like a perfect bullseye in terms of the way it was engaging families. Now feels like the perfect time to launch the tour."

To see a full list of children's shows in DC, visit our Children's Shows In DC page.