Performing Arts

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

dance

• FALL DANCE RECITAL Camden County College dance students take the stage for their annual fall performance, Sat, Nov. 4, 8pm, $4, Dennis Flyer Memorial Theatre, Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ, 856-227-7200.
• FALSE TESTIMONY Choreographer Marianela Boan's company Boandanz Action performs this piece, which employs real-time video, live music, vocals and dance to explore connections between humans in this increasingly technological age. Fri-Sat, Nov. 3-4, 8pm, $10-$20, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.
• GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS This show features balancing, juggling, dance, comedy and magic. Look for the Amazing Tower of Chairs, in which a solo acrobat climbs 30 feet of chairs and balances himself on one hand at the top, Sat, Nov. 4, 12:30pm, free with garden admission, Longwood Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.
• HEADLONG DANCE THEATER FIRST FRIDAY SERIES Works old, new and in the process of being perfected are performed in an open atmosphere that urges audience feedback. Every first Fri, 8pm, FREE, Spirit Wind Internal Arts Society, 213 New St., 215-545-9195.
• TAIPAI FOLK DANCE THEATRE Taiwan's first professional ethnic dance company performs its unique style of traditional folk dance. Sun, Nov. 5, 10:30am & 3:30pm, free with garden admission, Longwood Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.
• TANGO FIRE The musicians, singers and dancers from Buenos Aires' Estampas Portenas perform tango, covering everything from the swingin' '20s to today's ballroom favorites, Sat, Nov. 4, 3pm, $30-$68, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

theater

• 42ND STREET This musical revolves around Peggy Sawyer, a chorus girl in a Broadway show who is given the chance of a lifetime when the star performer injures herself. Music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. Runs Nov. 7-Jan. 7, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• AGENTS AND ASSETS The Los Angeles Poverty Department Theater Company presents a show about the 1998 Congessional hearing concerning this question: Was the CIA involved in cocaine trafficking to help fund the Nicaraguan Contras? Runs Nov. 3-5, 7:30pm, $5, Church of the Advocate, 1801 W. Diamond St., 215-232-4485.
• CLOUD 9 Caryl Churchill's play focuses on a family in 1880 colonial Africa and their evolution over a period of 25 years. Directed by Amy Saltz. Runs Nov. 3-18, $15-$25, Mason Gross Performing Arts Center, 85 George St., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-932-7511.
• 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.
• THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN Written by renowned Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, this tale tells of a disabled orphan named Billy who accidentally ends up in a film when Hollywood comes to the rugged Aran islands. Directed by Randall Wise and John Doyle. Runs Nov. 3-26, $20, Centre Theatre, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown, 610-279-1013.
• DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN Rob Becker's comedy about men and women is Broadway's longest-running solo show. Starring Vince Valentine. Runs Nov. 8-12, $44.50, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.
• 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.
• FOOTLOOSE The Villanova Student Music Theatre presents this musical based on the 1981 film. Runs Nov. 3-12, FREE, St. Mary's Hall Auditorium, County Line & Spring Mill rds., Villanova, 610-519-7214.
• 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.
• 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 through 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.
• MADAME DOUCE-AMERE Theatre Horizon presents this special one-night-only performance of Emmanuelle Delpech-Ramey and James Sugg's Live Arts hit. Directed by David Brick, Fri, Nov. 3, 8pm, $14-$17, Trinity Church, 966 Trinity Lane, King of Prussia, 610-283-2230.
• 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 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., 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.
• 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 through Nov. 5, $25-$64.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.
• 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.
• THE PREYER Vizion Entertainment Group presents this piece that explores male-female relationships. Directed by Dwight Wilkins. Runs Nov. 3-5, $15-$25, New Freedom Theatre, 1346 N. Broad St., 215-765-2793.
• RAGTIME This musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's famed novel is about three families of different heritage and their struggles to find the American dream at the turn of the last century. Directed by Peter Reynolds. Runs Nov. 4-12, $15-$20, Tomlinson Theater, Temple University, 1301 W. Norris St., 888-695-7849.
• 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.
• SISTERS ROSENWEIG Three estranged sisters meet in London after their mother's death and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Written by Wendy Wasserstein. Runs Nov. 8-11, $2-$5, Kaleidoscope Theater, Ursinus College, Collegeville, 610-409-3795.
• 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.
• A SWELL PARTY This New York smash hit celebrates the life and career of music legend Cole Porter. Starring KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler. Runs Nov. 1-5, $35-$55, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.
• TAKING LEAVE This play revolves around a Shakespeare aficionado and his three daughters. Directed by Marsha Amato-Greenspan. Runs Nov. 3-18, $5-$10, The Barnstormers Theater, Ward & Tome sts., Ridley Park, 610-461-9969.
• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD This Harper Lee classic about race relations in the South stars Michael Gavanus and Kelsey Turner. Directed by Carla Childs. Runs Nov. 3-19, 8pm, $12, Old Academy Players, 3544 Indian Queen Lane, 215-843-1109.
• 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.
• 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.
• URINETOWN The University of the Arts School of Theater presents this Hollman and Kotis musical about a massive drought that leads city officials in a small town to force residents to pay to use public restrooms. Those caught relieving themselves in the bushes are sent to the mysterious Urinetown. Runs Nov. 3-11, $8-$16, Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St., 215-545-1664.
• THE ZOO STORY Bckseet Productions presents Edward Albee's first play, about the unlikely meeting of a drifter and a businessman on an NYC park bench. Starring Mark Cairns and Gene D'Alessandro. Directed by Steven A. Wright. Runs through Nov. 18, $21 (admission includes one drink), Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.

opera

• CARMEN This play explores the fictional life of a gypsy, who was one of the first feminist characters to appear onstage. Starring mezzo-soprano Lori-Kaye Miller of the New York City Opera. Runs through Nov. 5, $15-$68, The Baby Grand Theatre, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE, 800-37-GRAND.
• CINDERELLA The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents this classic fairytale that needs no introduction. Starring Ruxandra Donose as the title character and Lawrence Brownlee as the prince. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Runs Nov. 8-19, $6-$170, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-732-8400.
• HANSEL AND GRETEL Lyric Theatre presents Engelbert Humperdinck's classic opera. Directed by Robert Guarino. Runs Nov. 9-12, $5-$10, Don Evans Black Box Theatre, 2000 Pennington Rd., The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, 609-771-2552.
• 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 through Nov. 11, $6-$170, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1018.
• PUCCINI'S TOSCA Center City Opera Theater opens their 2006-2007 season with this passionate and bloody opera. Sung in Italian with English projections. Conducted by Andrew Kurtz, Thu, Nov. 2, 8pm, $39-$98, Perelman Theater, The Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800.
• ROSSINI'S THE BARBER OF SEVILLE This comedy, whose music has been used in such cartoons as "Bugs Bunny," stars Richard Raub. Runs Nov. 5-14, $15-$83, AVA Helen Corning Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St., 215-735-1685.

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 tells and sings 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.