Performing Arts

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information.

dance

• BANQUET OF VULTURES AND BRANDENBURGS The Paul Taylor Dance Company premieres a dark anti-war declaration and then follows it with a lyrical J.S. Bach-inspired work. A pair of shows that beautifully demonstrates why Paul Taylor is known as the "Master of Dark and Light." Runs Oct. 19-21, $29-$44, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

• TANIA PEREZ-SALAS COMPANIA DE DANZA This dance company makes their Philadelphia debut with works such as "The Waters of Forgetfulness," in which a pool of water is the basis for a powerfully visual show. Wed-Thu, Oct. 25-26, 7:30pm, $32-$44, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

  theater

• 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Broadway Across America presents this musical about a big spelling bee in a small town. Directed by James Lapine. Runs through Oct. 22, $25-$73.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.

• ALWAYS: THE LOVE STORY OF IRVING BERLIN Mark Nadler and KT Sullivan star in this two-act musical about the life and love of Irving Berlin and his wife, Ellin Mackay. It includes nearly 50 of the composer's songs. Runs through Oct. 29, $40-$55, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.

• ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Bridge Players Theatre Company presents this classic comedy revolving around a theater-hating drama critic who must deal with his family and local law enforcement as he decided whether or not he wants to marry the woman he loves. Runs through Oct. 21, $15, Broad Street Methodist Church, 36 E. Broad St., Burlington, NJ, 856-303-7620.

• BAD DATES In Theresa Rebeck's comedy, a thirtysomething single mom decides to re-enter the dating pool after a 12-year hiatus. She's sure to make all your courting fumbles pale in comparison. Directed by Ceal Phelan. Runs through Oct. 22, $25-$40, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-645-0200.

• BIG: THE MUSICAL Adaptation of the 1988 Tom hanks movie where a 13-year-old boy suddenly becomes an adult. Runs through Oct. 29, $48.95-$53.95, Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre, 3540 Foxcroft Drive, Wilmington, DE, 1-800-368-3303.

• CATCH 22 The Curio Theater Company presents the staging of this classic novel written by Joseph Heller. It revolves around Yoassarian, an Assyrian pilot and a host of other wacky characters during WWII. Runs through Oct. 28, $10-$22, Calvary Center, 48th & Baltimore sts., 215-525-1350.

• CRIME AND PUNISHMENT This classic novel about Raskolnikov's existential murder of a pawnbroker is adapted for the stage by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus. Directed by Aaron Posner. Runs through Dec. 3, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.

• DEADLY BELOVED Buzz and Alma Gahner just can't seem to get the nuptials right in this dinner theater murder mystery. Every Sat. Runs through Oct. 28, 7pm-mid., $35, Fisher's Tudor House, 1858 Street Rd., Bensalem, 215-244-9777.

• DOUBLE JEOPARDY A "Jeopardy!" murder mystery over dinner and dessert. Runs through Feb. 28, 7pm, $39.95, Bistro Romano, 120 Lombard St., 215-925-8880.

• DRACULA Rick Abbot's musical adaptation of the classic novel takes a comedic look at Dr. Seward, whose new neighbor just happens to be a certain famous count. Presented by King of Prussia Players. Directed by Julie Kuerschner and Keith Clattenburg. Runs Oct. 20-28, $10-$15, Shannondell Performing Arts Center, 10000 Shannondell Dr., Audubon, NJ, 610-277-9505.

• ELTON JOHN'S AIDA Five-time Tony-winning dramatic romance based on Verdi's opera, in which a Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier hit it off. Directed by Jesse Cline. Runs through Oct. 29, $22-$39, Media Theater for the Performing Arts, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.

• THE HEIDI CHRONICLES Wendy Wassertstein's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play deals with the challenging roles of women during the '60s, '70s and '80s. Runs Oct. 20-29, $5-$15, Arcadia Theatre, 450 S. Easton Rd., Glenside, 215-572-2112.

• THE HOUSE OF YES This Flashpoint Theatre production takes a look at just how dysfunctional the all-American family can be. Written by Wendy Macleod and starring Laura Catlaw. Directed by Meghann Williams. Runs Oct. 25-Nov. 11. Runs through Nov. 11, $10-$15, 2nd Stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.

• THE IMAGINARY INVALID Argan's medical problems are growing but he'll never be able to afford a doctor unless his daughter marries one. Too bad she's fallen for some schmo. James Magruder's update of Moliere's satire stays true to old themes: sex, love and greed. Directed by Lillian Groag. Runs through Oct. 22, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.

• KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN The Ritz's season closer is based on the novel by Manuel Puig. Runs Oct. 19-Nov. 19, $17-$25, Puttin' on the Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ, 856-858-5230.

• LEGENDS! James Kirkwood's Tony Award-winning play stars '80s TV stars Joan Collins and Linda Evans. A young producer courts the two to star in his production, despite the fact they've hated each other for years. Directed by John Bowab. Runs Oct. 24-Nov. 5, $28.75-$66.25, Forrest Theater, 1114 Walnut St., 215-923-1515.

• MADAME DOUCE-AMERE Presented by 1812 Productions and created and performed by Emmanuelle Delpech-Ramey and Claude Ferrie, this heartwarming tale follows a woman who must grapple with growing old and confronting the death of her musician husband. Directed by David Brick and Celine Rames. Runs through Oct. 29, $10-$32, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-592-9560.

• MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Jeanie Linder's show celebrates "women and The Change." Ongoing, $45, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.

• MISERY A romance novelist crashes his car and is nursed back to health by an obsessed fan, who keeps him captive in her dilapidated farmhouse. Directed by James Carroll. Runs Oct. 19-Nov. 4, $8-$15, Players Club of Swarthmore, Rt. 320 & Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, 610-328-4271.

• MURDERERS Gerald, Lucy and Minka are murderers happy living in a retirement community in Florida. They have no qualms about their transgressions, they just need to figure out why. This question leads to an evening of greed, revenge and hilarity. Runs through Nov. 5, $33-$51, Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-735-0630.

• NUNSENSE! In this musical comedy, some nuns raise money to bury some other nuns who've been poisoned by the convent chef. Runs through Oct. 22, $15-$39, The Pines Dinner Theatre, 3045 High Hill Rd., Slatington, 610-926-3702.

• PATIENT A Simpatico Theatre Company presents Lee Blessing's reality-based study of Kimberly Bergalis' death as a result of AIDS, which subsequently resulted in a political firestorm. Directed by Angela S. Zuck. Runs through Oct. 29, $12-$15, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 215-514-7508.

• THE PILLOWMAN Martin McDonagh's play has received various awards, including two Tonys and the Laurence Olivier Award for "Best London Play." It's about a writer who's being questioned on a series of murders that closely resemble his unpublished writings. Directed by Jiri Zizka. Runs through Nov. 5, $35-$50, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-546-STAGE.

• RED LIGHT WINTER Written by Adam Rapp, the show revolves around two friends who meet a mysterious prostitute in Amsterdam and become involved in a love triangle. Presented by Theatre Exile. Directed by Joe Canuso. Runs Oct. 20-Nov. 12, $15-$25, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St., 215-922-4462.

• SOMETHING YOU DID After being in prison for 30 years for accidentally killing a cop, Allison is up for parole. Willy Holtzman's drama explores questions of freedom and responsibility in the 21st century. Directed by Abigail Adams. Runs through Nov. 19, $28-$48, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.

• SPIDER WEB Based on the novel by Agatha Christie, this play revolves around a girl whose dream of finding a dead body becomes a reality. Directed by Janet Kelsey. Runs through Nov. 19, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.

• TALES FROM POE Part of the Horizons Series, Margaret Royal adapts various Poe short stories. Runs through Oct. 31, 7:30pm, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.

• THE THINGS YOU LEAST EXPECT Clare, going on 60, sets out to discover herself again. When she falls in love with a much younger man, her views on life change. Will they hold up when she returns home? Starring James Dickey, Mary Beth Piel and Pamela Payton-Wright. Directed by David Saint. Runs through Oct. 29, George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-246-7717.

• TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING This comedy dinner show promises a wild and wacky nuptial. Come dressed for a wedding. That means no sneakers or jeans, people!. Runs through Feb. 25, $83, Spirit of Philadelphia, Penn's Landing, Pier 3, 800-660-TINA.

• TRANSLATIONS Brian Friel's look at cultural imperialism centers on a small 19th century Irish village that must accept the arrival of British soldiers. Soon thereafter a love affair between a village girl and soldier ensues. Directed by Garry Haynes. Runs through Oct. 29, $33-$46, Mathews Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, 609-258-2787.

• TRIUMPH OF LOVE This newly translated comedy by Pierre Marivaux displays the timeless relationship of laughter and love. Directed by Jay Berkowitz. Runs Oct. 24-29, $8-$12, E.O. Bull Center, Rosedale Ave. & High St., West Chester, 610-436-2533.

• THE TURN OF THE SCREW Jeffrey Hatcher adapts this Henry James ghost story, in which a young governess thinks she sees apparitions at her country estate. Directed by Anne Marie Cammarato. Runs Oct. 21-Nov. 5. Runs through Nov. 5, $28-$48, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.

• THE UNINVITED Tim Kelly's thriller is about ghosts, a haunted house and dark secrets on the west coast of England. Directed by Tony Filipone. Runs through Nov. 4, $12, Footlighters Theatre, 58 Main Ave., Berwyn, 610-296-9245.

• UNWRAP YOUR CANDY From Doug Wright, the author of "Quills," comes these four one-acts that are guaranteed to cause many a sleepless night. Directed by Gregory Scott Campbell. Runs Oct. 20-Nov. 12, $10-$30, Walnut Street Theatre, Studio 5, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-704-0033.

• WINDY CITY It's 1929 and Chicago-based reporter Hildy Johnson has one last story to write before he retires to a glamorous Hollywood life. Unfortunately, nothing goes according to plan. Music by Tony Macaulay and based on the play "Front Page" by Ben Hecht and Charles Macarthur. Directed and choreographed by Marc Robin. Runs through Oct. 22, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.

• YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU Villanova Student Theatre presents Kaufman and Hart's Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy. Runs Oct. 19-29, FREE, St. Mary's Chapel, Villanova University, Route 320 & County Line Rd., Villanova, 610-519-6062.

  opera

• DONIZETTI'S MARIA DI ROHAN Celebrating their eighth season the Amici Opera Company presents this three-act tragico, or tragic opera. Directed by Raffaele Tudisco, Sun, Oct. 22, 2:30pm, $10-$20, Trinity Lansdowne United Methodist, 82 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, 215-224-0257.

  cabaret

• LE CABARET MELANGE A funky music, dance and performance art show. Every Fri. Ongoing, 8pm, $10, Monte Carlo Living Room, 150 South St., 267-456-3050.

• THE TIMELESS STORY SONGS OF HARRY CHAPIN Scott Sivakoff sings Chapin favorites such as "Taxi" and "Cat's in the Cradle." Sun, Oct. 22, 7pm, $22, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-654-0200.