National Theatre

George Orwell's "Animal Farm" derives much of its power from the contrast between a simple little fable about animals and the biting satire this fable conveys.In the opening production of its fourth season, the Bowman Ensemble maximizes this power by contrasting an almost naive, childlike theatrical approach with Orwell's sophisticated message about the corruption of power.J. Marshall Walker's set design consists primarily of a small, square barnyard covered with mulch, and the main elements in Brian Chetelet's costume designs are T-shirts bearing the names of the animals (with the noted exception of the hens' shirts, which bear the name of their labor union: "Egg Makers Local")

At National Theatre, 'Six Degrees' is searingJohn Guare's searing social comedy, "Six Degrees of Separation," opens a three-week run at Washington's National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., on Tuesday.Based on an actual incident, the play stars Ntare Mwine as a young con artist who insinuates himself into New York society by claiming to be Sidney Poitier's son. Marlo Thomas plays one of the rich socialites he easily dupes. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.

After appearing for more than 380 years in the shadows, one of the few female roles in "Hamlet" will perform in the spotlight tonight and tomorrow at Howard Community College's Smith Theatre."

Washington Watching Sir Ian McKellen's portrayal of Richard III in the Royal National Theatre's production of Shakespeare's play is a little like looking at the photographs Diane Arbus used to take of freaks.While we are always aware of the monarch's deformities, we are equally aware of his attempts to conceal them. The withered hand is tucked into a pocket; the hunchback is minimized by the expert tailoring of this updated production's military uniforms and evening clothes. And though the limp and a "Phantom of the Opera"-like grossly asymmetrical hairline are constant reminders of the character's freakishness, he appears, like Arbus' subjects, defiantly proud, determined to be normal.

Halfway into the first act of "Crazy for You" -- the "new" Gershwin musical playing a pre-Broadway run at Washington's National Theatre -- there's a scene set in a dilapidated theater. "All we have to do to save this place is just put on a show," the hero says in true cornball fashion.Cornball or not, that dusty theater and its glorious transformation could be a metaphor for the effect "Crazy for You" is likely to have on the current musical-deficient Broadway season: This giddy throwback to boy-meets-girl, wide-eyed optimism looks like just what's needed to resuscitate the grand old American musical comedy.

She won't be wearing her tail fin for this one.Jodi Benson, best known as the voice of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, is not only back on dry land, she's appearing in three dimensions as the female lead in "Crazy for You," which opens its pre-Broadway engagement at Washington's National Theatre on Wednesday.Based on the 1930 Gershwin musical, "Girl Crazy," "Crazy for You" features a script rewritten by Washington playwright Ken Ludwig, author of "Lend Me a Tenor." Besides including five previously unpublished Gershwin songs, one of the moreobvious changes is the consolidation of the characters originally played by Ginger Rogers and Ethel Merman.

The National Theatre of the Deaf will provide an escape to "TreasureIsland" at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, in Harford Community College's Chesapeake Theater.The theater will celebrate its silver anniversary with this original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale. The production combines sign language with the spoken word so audiences will hear and see every word.Tickets are $6 a person and are available at the Chesapeake Theater box office.Information: Marie Hopkins, 836-4340.

'Lost in Yonkers'When: Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m.; matinees Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Through Feb. 10.Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington.Tickets: $20-$37.50.Call: (202) 628-6161.*** Anew Neil Simon play might seem a frivolous luxury as the United States engages in war overseas. But "Lost in Yonkers," which is set against the backdrop of World War II, makes a poignant and surprisingly timely statement about the importance of love, warmth and family unity in times of turmoil.

WASHINGTON -- A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters," currently at the National Theatre, is exactly what the title says: a collection of love letters.Describing it as an epistolary drama would probably be going too far. The playwright's instructions require two actors to sit side by side at a table and read -- not memorize -- 50 years of correspondence.Devotees of the dying art of letter-writing will probably be drawn to it as if it were a shrine. And well they should since this is glorious writing.