New York has "Kids' Night on Broadway." Now, Washington, D.C. has "Stages for All Ages," the League of Washington Theatres' own attempt to attract young folks to live theatre.

Like "Kids' Night," "Stages for All Ages" will offer a free ticket for children (under 17) with each adult ticket purchased. Unlike "Kids' Night," however, the event will last a whole month -- March 1999 -- instead of a couple select days.

"Stages" will kick off festivities March 6, 1999 with free performances, workshops and other activities at the Smithsonian's Discovery Theatre, the Gunston Arts Center in Virginia, and the Round House Theatre in Maryland.

"Stages" is sponsored by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and The Washington Post. Participating theatres include Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, Le Neon Theater, National Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and others.

Tickets went on sale Feb. 7, 1999 and are available at most participating theatres. Established in 1982, the League of Washington Theatres represents 35 theatres (including Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre and The Studio Theatre) and six affiliated members.

-- By Robert Simonson and David Lefkowitz