Performing Arts

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

dance

• NEW FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE The third annual showcase of original works from the Philadelphia dance community, this year's program features performances by MSDT, Tania Isaac Dance, DanceHouse and others. Runs Jan. 25-28, $10, UArts Dance Theater at the Drake, 1512 Spruce St., 215-359-7775, www.newfestival.net.
• NTDTV'S CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECTACULAR Bang the gong and light the firecrackers! Two-hundred international vocalists, dancers, and musicians are making their debut in Philly. The program celebrates the Chinese New Year and Chinese culture with original works in dance, music and costumes. Tue-Wed, Jan. 23-24, 7:30pm, $20-$65, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-336-1234.
• ONE DANCE AT A TIME Four high school senior girls (members of the ASH Contemporary Dance Company) are putting on a show as their senior project. During intermission, the school's football and boys' basketball teams add comedic relief with their own version of the movie "You Got Served." All proceeds go to Alex's Lemonade Stand, Sat, Jan. 20, 7pm, $5, Henderson High, 400 Montgomery Ave, West Chester.
• THE RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY England's premier contemporary dance company makes its Philadelphia debut performing to the music of Scott Joplin and Ligeti. Thu-Sat, Jan. 18-20, $29-$44, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

theater

• AMAJUBA: LIKE DOVES WE RISE Woven with dance and song, this is an intimate coming-of-age story based on the real-life experiences of the cast members' youth in apartheid South Africa. Artistic direction by Yael Farber. Runs Jan. 24-28, $32-$44, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.
• ANNE OF GREEN GABLES This new adaptation remains true to the classic tale of the Cuthbert's new farmhand Anne, who brings a bit more than just her utilitarian know-how when she arrives at the family farm. Directed by Shannon O'Donnell. Runs Jan. 18-Feb. 11, $20-$26, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• BEAU JEST This comedy follows Sarah, who just can't seem to bring herself to fall in love with a nice Jewish doctor like her parents would like. Instead she hires a nice gentile actor to portray her Jewish love interest and lo and behold her parents fall for the nice Jewish doctor they think he is. Directed by William H. Peterson. Runs through Jan. 28, $12, Old Academy Players, 3544 Indian Queen Lane, 215-843-1109.
• DEX AND JULIE SITTIN' IN A TREE Arden Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Philly playwright Bruce Graham's two-actor production. Long-separated college sweethearts Dex (John Lumia) and Julie (Jennifer Childs) are reunited after 25 years and the old flame is rekindled. Runs through March 4, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• 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.
• EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Oh, nostalgia! This new stage adaptation of the classic Tim Burton motion picture is directed by Matthew Bourne with the musical score penned by Danny Elfman. Runs through Jan. 21, $25-$75, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1955.
• ETHEL WATERS, HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW Two-time Tony Award nominee Ernestine Jackson stars in this musical biography of Philadelphia's legendary singer/actress. Directed by Susan D. Atkinson. Runs Jan. 23-Feb. 11, $15-$39, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.
• EVERYTHING BAD AND BEAUTIFUL Sandra Bernhard writes and stars in this one-woman comedy. Mixing humor and a bit of rock 'n' roll, Bernhard takes on everyone from the Bush administration to Mariah Carey. Directed by David Brind. Runs Jan. 18-21, $37-$75, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.
• THE EXONERATED Awarded Time Magazine's "Best Play" award during its Broadway run, this humorous and painful tale tells the true story of six innocent death row inmates. Directed by Joseph Paprzycki. Produced by South Camden Theatre Co. Runs Jan. 19-Feb. 4, $12-$15, Sacred Heart Church, 1739 Ferry Ave., Camden, NJ, 856-456-2850.
• FENCES August Wilson's award-winning drama explores the social and familial struggles of a black family in 1950s Pittsburgh. Directed by David Ebersole. Runs through Jan. 27, $13-$15, Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave., 215-247-8881.
• A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS This fictionalized account of a very real and local controversy follows the battle between two African-Americans as they battle over the proposed site for a new museum of liberty, which just so happens to be in the same spot where George Washington once lived and owned slaves. Written by Philadelphia playwright Thomas Gibbons. Directed by Seth Rozen. Runs Jan. 19-Feb. 18, $15-$25, InterAct Theater Company, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8079.
• I AM MY OWN WIFE This fictionalized story follows a young transvestite named Charlotte trying to survive in post-WWII fascist Germany. Written by Doug Wright and directed by Anders Cato. Runs through Feb. 11, $28-$62, George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-246-7717.
• JODIE'S BODY This off-Broadway monologue by London-based actress/writer Aviva Jane Carlin follows a woman posing nude for an art student, and her reflections on the human body and the beginning of free elections in South Africa. Show is performed primarily in the nude. Seating is limited to 50 per show. Pay as you can. Fri, Jan. 19, 8pm; Sat., Jan. 20, 3pm, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-545-1664.
• LEBENSRAUM Set in the beginning of the 21st century, the new German Chancellor invites six million Jews from around the world to return to Germany. While everyone who returns has a different motivation, history appears to repeat itself as the story unfolds. Directed by Gregory Scott Campbell. Runs Jan. 24-Feb. 25, $10-$30, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-704-0033.
• LETTICE & LOVAGE Studio 5 presents a comedy about the misadventures of an English manor tour guide who, out of boredom, decides to recreate history. Runs Jan. 19-22, $20, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• MACHOMER Rick Miller does a hilarious parody of "Macbeth," the classic Shakespearean tale of murder and madness, by telling the story through 60 voice impressions of the characters from "The Simpsons." Fri, Jan. 19, 8pm, $20-$40, Stockton Performing Arts Center, Jim Leeds Rd., Pomona, NJ, 609-652-9000.
• MEDEA The Pros From Dover present a dark, comic new translation of Euripedes' classic. Runs through Jan. 28, $20, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.
• THE MOTHER TERESA GIRL This off-Broadway monologue by London-based actress/writer Aviva Jane Carlin tells the story of a world traveler who has tried to live her political and social ideals, including a stint working with Mother Teresa in India. Here, she questions her greater purpose in life. Seating is limited to 50 per show. Pay as you can. Sat, Jan. 20, 8pm; Sun, Jan. 21, 3pm, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-545-1664.
• MY MOTHER'S INHERITANCE Charles Ragsdale just wants to retire and spend his last few years relaxing. Unfortunately everyone else close to him has their own personal opinions. Runs Jan. 18-21, $10-$20, Arts Garage, 1516 Parrish St., 215-694-4140.
• THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEEP Complete with werewolves and damsels in distress, this comedy lampoons Victorian melodrama and gothic romance. Starring Walnut Street favorite Jamie Torcellini. Runs through Jan. 21, $28, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• NERDS://A MUSICAL SOFTWARE SATIRE A new and funny take on the rise of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs from garage novices to mega-rich titans. Starring Andrew Cassese, Jim Poulos and Charlie Pollock. Directed by Philip Wm. Mckinley. Runs Jan. 25-Feb. 25, $15-$54, Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-735-0630.
• OF MICE AND MEN John Steinbeck's classic follows two lonely migrant workers, George and Lennie, as their dreams of a better life slowly and violently pass them by. Runs through March 4, $10-$57.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• PRIVATE LIVES L.A. Theatre Works presents Noel Coward's insightful 1930 comedy about a dysfunctional couple who cannot live with or without each other, Thu, Jan. 25, 8pm, $20-$40, Stockton Performing Arts Center, Jim Leeds Rd., Pomona, NJ, 609-652-9000.
• PURLIE This Grammy and Tony Award winner is based on the book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell. Runs through Feb. 10, $17-$25, The Ritz Theatre Company, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township, NJ, 856-858-5230.
• RADIO GALS Join Arkansas native Hazel Hunt for a countrified trip through the Roaring '20s. Runs through Jan. 28, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
• RECKLESS Craig Lucas' dark comedy about Christmas follows Rachel (Nikki Bell) on the roller coaster that is her life. Directed by George Mulford. Runs through Jan. 27, $8-$15, The Players Club of Swarthmore, Fairview Rd., off Rt. 320, Swarthmore, 866-811-4111.
• THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW A husband and wife's 33-year marriage comes to a close through the eyes of their 30-year-old son in this 2004 Tony-nominated play by William Nicholson. Directed by David Stradley. Runs Jan. 24-Feb. 11, $28-$48, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• SCOTLAND ROAD An unusual and chilling drama set in the 1990s about a woman rescued in the North Atlantic dressed in 1900s clothing and will only say the word: "Titanic." Directed by Stephen Blumenthal. Runs Jan. 19-Feb. 18, $25-$40, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-645-0200.
• THRILL ME Presented as theater-in-the-round, audience members get up-close and personal with the infamous 1924 trial of Leopold and Loeb, two teens from Chicago's uppercrust who murdered a young boy. This explicit production is for mature audiences. Directed by Jesse Cline. Runs Jan. 24-Feb. 11, $22-$29, The Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.
• 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.
• TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING Audience members get to play the roles of Tony and Tina's family and friends at this interactive dinner show and "wedding." Dress for the occasion! Presented by Broadway at the Academy. Runs through Feb. 18, $89, Innovation Studio, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.
• U DON'T KNOW ME The story of three foster kids from New York who follow their dreams to success. Runs through Jan. 21, $25-$30, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.

opera

• DER FREISCHUTZ The Academy of Vocal Arts presents a fully staged production of Von Weber's bohemian tale of a young marksman who makes a pact with the devil, giving him a magical seventh bullet. Fri & Tue, Jan. 19 & 23, 7:30pm, $28-$83, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., 215-735-1685.
• I PURITANI The Amici Opera Company presents a fully staged production of Bellini's final work about lovers torn apart by political intrigues. The story is set during the wars between the Stuarts and the Cromwells in Plymouth, England. Musical direction by Resse Revok. Sun, Jan. 21 & 28, 2:30pm, $10-$22, The Garden Church, 82 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, 215-224-0257.

cabaret

• BOB'S BIG MONDAY SHOWCASE These weekly shows present performances by seven to eight singers, with two songs apiece. A special Monday menu is offered by the restaurant; a minimum $10 food or drink is required, Every Mon, 7:30pm, $8, The Stockton Inn, 1 Main St., Stockton, NJ, 609-397-1250.
• ENCHANTE UArts presents a cabaret performance of songs popular in France and America before, during and after WWII. Pay as you can. Runs Jan. 25-28, Gershman Hall, University of the Arts, Broad & Pine sts., 215-545-1664.
• MONSIEUR THUJONE'S CABINET OF MUSICAL-VISUAL CURIOSITIES This ghoulish and macabre show includes performances by Rev. T. Bagg's songs about monsters and The Absinthe Drinkers' songs about love and murder. Tue & Thu, Jan. 23 & 25, 9pm, $10, Beau Monde, 624 S. 6th St., 215-592-0656.