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HUNTINGTON -- This just in ... There have been more shenanigans in the Lincoln Bedroom.

Call off the National Enquirer satellite truck, though, we're only talking about the room-wrecking, treasure-hunting of Teddy Roosevelt's kids during the new musical, "Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major."

Developed by The Kennedy Center in association with the White House Historical Association, the original new one-hour, family-friendly musical takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $25, and youth tickets (17 and under) are $15.

Inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt and his family, the play is set in the summer of 1904, when President Theodore Roosevelt gives his children Ethel, Kermit and Archie a copy of "Treasure Island" to read.

When a real-life treasure map falls out, a full-blown mystery tour of the White House ensues.

Featuring sharply-written songs by Washington satirist Mark Russell, whose PBS specials have led TV Guide to call him "the funniest man on television, the play is one that entertains adults, children and the actors themselves, said Matthew McGloin, the 24-year-old Baltimore native who plays Archie.

McGloin, who cut his theatrical teeth on a large swath of Shakespeare in nearly a dozen productions, said this production is not unlike one of the new animated features that appeal to children but also has deeper levels of jokes and moments for parents and adults as well.

"I compare the humor of it to like 'Aladdin,' " McGloin said. "Robin Williams plays the genie, and sometimes only the adults get some of the political humor, and Kermit's Democrat jokes and jokes about Congress, and sometimes the kids do get it too. That is very fascinating to see how political the kids are. It's one of those shows that is more powerful than it looks at first. It is a bit deceiving. It's a musical, and then it is very intelligent."

One aspect of the show that McGloin says is exceptionally clever is the use of the set, which depicts such famous rooms as the Red Room, the Blue Room and the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House.

"Some clues are found in the various pieces of the set," McGloin said. "We not only have it as our background but to specifically look for things, and we dive into them and really get dirty. I think it's a great adventure for the audience as well."

Now based in the D.C. area, McGloin said the show also reminds actors and audiences about the humanity of the office of president and that the White House is truly a residence.

"The majority of us in the D.C. and in the country feel that the White House has this weight with it," McGloin said. "We don't think that anybody lives here, but this is kind of a reminder to think that this family actually lived there and the Roosevelt children kind of trashed the place the way kids do any house." McGloin, who met the grandson of his character, Archie Roosevelt, said it's been a real stroke of fun and freedom to play a 10-year-old child.

"We certainly take a degree of artistic licenses that we take with all characters," McGloin said. "But it is fascinating to see how much of it is grounded in historical fact than what a traditional play might be."

Currently, out on a tour of more than 30 U.S. cities from January through May, the show is just one of two Kennedy Center children's plays that are touring.

Also touring this year as part of the Center's Young Audiences on Tour series is Katie Couric's "The Brand New Kid," which started touring in October and is out through March.

That the Kennedy Center show routes through Huntington is no coincidence.

Huntington attorney, David Tyson was appointed by President George Bush to the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2001.

Ever since, Tyson, who was state GOP chairman in West Virginia for five years before resigning to take the Kennedy Center position, has been raising money for the center and for these types of outreach programs.

This is the fourth year the Kennedy Center has brought in one of its one-hour plays specifically geared as an educational/entertainment experience.

Each year, about 4,000 area school children have seen these first-class plays.

Tyson said he raised the money for them to come back because he thinks it's extremely important for area school children to see and be inspired by this level of theater.

"We're talking about many children who may never see a Broadway show in their lifetime will now have the opportunity to see a Broadway-quality show," Tyson said. "More importantly perhaps is that these shows are also message-driven."

During the past three years, Kennedy Center shows have included "Tom Sawyer," "Color Me Dark" and "Willy Wonka."

"They've addressed truth and honesty and have had themes of how important it is for society to avoid prejudice," Tyson said. "So it's not just fun and games but shows that can reach kids and teach them a life lesson."

This year, in addition to the evening performance that is open to the public, there are two, sold-out children's performances as well during the day.

Although Tyson is not sure if he will still be on the politically-appointed Kennedy Center board next year, he is already thinking ahead with Marshall Artists Series Director Penny Watkins on next season's Kennedy Center show.

"We always try to select one of the shows that would best fit in our community and see if it matches up with the time frames we need," Tyson said. "Penny and I work on this about a year out, so soon we will be working on getting the show for next year. We're not sure beyond that, but as long as I can do this I am going to."

If you go

WHAT: The Kennedy Center production of "Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major."

WHERE: The historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, 925 Fourth Ave., Huntington.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday

HOW MUCH: $25 and youth tickets (17 and under) are $15.

GET TICKETS: At the Marshall Artists Series box office, located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, or by calling (304) 696-6656 or (304) 523-5757.

ON THE WEB: Go online at www.marshallartistsseries.org for ticket information.

ON DECK: Other upcoming Marshall Artists Series shows include: Tuesday, March 11, "Romeo and Juliet," on Wednesday, April 23, "Little Women," and on Wednesday, April 30, "Hairspray."

Photo courtesy of the Marshall Artists Series

The Kennedy Center’s “Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major” comes to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Marshall Artists Series

The Kennedy Center’s “Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major” comes to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.