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Diane Paulus’ 2012 production of Pippin, the touring version of which is now on stage at the National Theatre, is a safe bet for nearly every disparate interest group (ahem, family member) that comes to call this holiday season. History buffs will enjoy the story of Charlemagne’s son’s journey of self-discovery, which is largely imagined but dotted here and there with true facts. Broadway babies will dig the songs, composed by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote the music for Wicked. Fans of live theater spectacles will appreciate the troupe of acrobats and magicians that populate the stage and push the action along. For skeptics, the songs are catchy, not cloying (as in Jacob and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which currently plays across town), and seeing a musical in person is much more memorable than checking out Annie or Into the Woods at the movie theater. Seems your choice for theatrical entertainment is already made. The musical runs Dec. 16 to Jan. 4 at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. $48–$98. (202) 628-6161. thenationaldc.org.