Performing Arts

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

dance

• DRACULA Pennsylvania Ballet's Martha Chamberlain joins The Brandywine Ballet for this performance. Choreographed by Nancy Page. Sat, Oct. 28, 7pm; Sun, Oct. 29, 2pm, $15-$25, Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, West Chester University, 13-15 University Ave., West Chester, 610-436-3500.
• MINBU ZA This show, whose title translates to "folk dance group," introduces the culture, history and spirit of traditional Japanese folk dancing. Sun, Oct. 29, 1 & 3:30pm, free with garden admission, Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.
• SANKAI JUKU Japan's premier butoh dance troupe performs "Beyond the Metaphors of Mirrors," a dance incorporating floating lotus leaves, sand and white powder. Directed, choreographed and designed by Ushio Amagatsu, Tue, Oct. 31, 7:30pm, $30-$50, 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, Thu, Oct. 26, 7:30pm, $32-$44, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

theater

• ALICE AND FRANK Puppet Uprising presents a pair of 19th-century classics turned askew: The Stranger Theater Company's "And What Alice Found There," which brings Lewis Carroll's two Alice novels to life with puppets, physical theater and stop-motion animation; and Shoddy Puppet Company's "The Frankenstein of Everyday Life." Fri, Oct. 27, 8pm, FREE, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.
• 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.
• 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 Dr., Wilmington, DE, 1-800-368-3303.
• THE CAMDEN ONE-ACTS Original plays written by local writers under the tutelage of Whitman Center's artistic director Ozzie Jones. Fri-Sat, Oct. 27-28, 8pm, $5, Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, 2nd & Cooper sts., Camden, NJ, 856-964-8300.
• 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, $39.95, Bistro Romano, 120 Lombard St., 215-925-8880.
• DRACULA, THE MUSICAL? 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 through Oct. 28, $10-$15, Shannondell Performing Arts Center, 10000 Shannondell Dr., Audubon, 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 FURTHER ADVENTURES OF HEDDA GABLER Tony award-winning playwright Jeff Whitty (of "Avenue Q" fame) brings Ibsen's heroine back to life in this dramatic reading. Directed by Bill Felty, Mon, Oct. 30, 7pm, FREE, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-546-STAGE.
• GOING FORWARD InterAct Theatre Company presents this moving and motivational show about facing and overcoming unbearable obstacles. It features three stories by Nako Adodoaji, Michele Guidry and Lori Mcnally. Directed by David Sanders, Mon, Oct. 30, 7pm, $6-$12, The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8079.
• THE HEIDI CHRONICLES Wendy Wassertstein's Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play deals with the challenging roles of women during the '60s, '70s and '80s. Runs through Oct. 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 through Nov. 11, $10-$15, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.
• JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Written by the legendary writing team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this musical tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth's last seven days. Starring Tim Neely. Directed by Dallett Norris. Runs Oct. 27-29, $50-$60, DuPont Theatre, Du Pont Building, Wilmington, DE, 302-656-4401.
• KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN The Ritz's season closer is based on the novel by Manuel Puig. Runs through Nov. 19, $17-$25, Puttin' on the Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ, 856-858-5230.
• THE LAST ESCAPE Based on the writings of Bruno Schulz, considered by some to be the greatest writer of pre-war Poland, this show tells the story of the writer's upbringing in the Jewish quarter of Drohobycz. Presented by Wrocklawki Teatr Lalek, the national puppet theater of Poland. Runs Oct. 30-Nov. 3, $25, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-925-7686.
• 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 through Nov. 5, $28.75-$66.25, Forrest Theater, 1114 Walnut St., 215-923-1515.
• A LUST FOR REVENGE: AN EVENING OF JACOBEAN THEATRE The Hidden Staircase Theatre Company makes their debut with scenes from different Jacobean plays, full of violence and passion. Fri-Sat, Oct. 27-28, 6pm, $6-$8, Atonement Lutheran Church, 1544 E. Montgomery Ave., 215-380-3416.
• 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.
• A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM This classic twisted love story is one of Shakespeare's most popular. Directed by Jamie Bradley. Runs through Oct. 28, $15, Town and Country Players, 4158 York Rd., Buckingham, 215-348-7566.
• MISERY A 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 through Nov. 4, $8-$15, Players Club of Swarthmore, Rt. 320 & Fairview Rd., 610-328-4271.
• A MAN OF FIRSTS Written specifically for Act Out Theatre by award-winning playwright Joseph Robinette, this play tells the story of John S. Rock, the first African-American lawyer to be admitted to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. Runs Oct 27-29, $10-$15, Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, 457 Shirley Rd., Elmer, NJ, 1-800-394-1211; and runs Oct. 27-29, $10-$15, St. John's Episcopal Church, 76 Market St., Salem, NJ, 856-769-3638.
• 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.
• ON GOLDEN POND Jerry Finn Productions presents this Tony-nominated tale of a family spending one last summer at their lakeside cottage in Maine. Starring Tom Bosley and Michael Learned. Runs Oct. 31-Nov. 5, $25-$64.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.
• 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 through Nov. 12, $15-$25, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St., 215-922-4462.
• THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW This classic musical from Richard O'Brien needs little introduction. Runs through Oct. 28, $20-$25, Academy Theatre, 146 Rt. 130, Bordentown, NJ, 609-291-9000.
• 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, $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.
• TIGER TALES In this puppet show presented by Chinese Theatre Works, a wise old rabbit tells stories with morals to her granddaughter. Sat, Oct. 28, 12:30 & 3:30pm, free with garden admission, Longwood Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.
• 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 between laughter and love. Directed by Jay Berkowitz. Runs through Oct. 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 through Nov. 5, $28-$48, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• THE UNINVITED Tim Kelly's nail-biting thriller 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 through Nov. 12, $10-$30, Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-704-0033.
• YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU Villanova Student Theatre presents Kaufman and Hart's Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy. Runs through Oct. 29, FREE, St. Mary's Chapel, Villanova University, Route 320 & County Line Rd., Villanova, 610-519-6062.

opera

• HEROES, LOVERS AND VILLAINS Soprano Michael Maniaci makes his Philadelphia debut performing Handel opera arias. Presented by Tempesta di Mare, Sat, Oct. 28, 8pm, $10-$35, St. Mark's Church, 1625 Locust St., 215-755-8776; and Sun, Oct. 29, 3pm, FREE, Marshall Auditorium, Roberts Hall, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, 610-896-1011.
• PUCCINI'S LA BOHEME The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents this ubiquitous tale of love and tragedy starring Ermonela Jaho and Roger Honeywell. Conducted by Corrado Rovaris. Runs Oct. 27-Nov. 11, $6-$170, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1018.
• PUCCINI'S TOSCA Center City Opera Theater opens their 2006-2007 with this passionate and bloody opera. Sung in Italian with English projections. Conducted by Andrew Kurtz. Runs Oct. 27-Nov. 2, $39-$98, Perelman Theater, The Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800.

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.
• LECTURES IN SONG: COLE PORTER Fred Miller sings and tells the story of the Indiana farm boy turned musical sophisticate, Thu, Nov. 2, 7:30pm, $10-$20, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., 215-545-4302.
• MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER CABARET Starring Pig Iron Theatre's Dito van Reigersberg as the one-and-only Martha Graham Cracker. Every First Thu, 9pm, $10, L'Etage, Beau Monde, 2nd floor, 6th & Bainbridge sts., 215-592-0656.
• THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Richard O'Brien's hilarious musical hits the stage. Runs Oct. 27-31, $20-$34.95, Comedy Cabaret at the Woodbine Inn, Rt. 73 & Remington Ave., Pennsauken, NJ, 856-317-1000.