Performing Arts

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

dance

• ICI, MAINTENANT (HERE, NOW) Underground DanceWorks presents an intimate performance of some repertory favorites, including "FAWHIP!," "Homeland for Him" and a work-in-progress of the expansion of "Blue Period." Sun, May 20, 3-4:30pm, $10, University City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St., 215-382-7811.
• KORESH DANCE COMPANY SPRING PERFORMANCE The Company premieres two new works: "Hidden Drives" by artistic director Ronen Koresh and "Embattled" by guest choreographer Robert Battle. Thu-Fri, May 24-25, 8pm, $23-$38, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.
• MOMIX Founder Moses Pendleton presents this 25th-anniversary performance featuring works such as "Baseball," "Passion" and "Lunar Sea." Runs May 17-19, $32-$44, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.
• OPEN STUDIO SERIES Miro Dance Theatre opens its studios to audiences who want to see the creative process and respond to new dance works and pieces from the Miro repertoire in progress. Thu, May 17, 6-8pm, FREE , Girard College, Corinthian & Girard aves., 215-962-4773.
• PARAPHRASE/NEXUS The second in a new series of peformances inspired by exhibitions at the Nexus Gallery features Philadelphia dancers/choreographers Christina Zani and Devynn Emory, investigating select photos from The Philadelphia Center for the Photographic Image's PhotoImage '07 competition. Wed, May 23, 8-9pm, FREE , Nexus, 1400 N. American St., Suite 102, 215-629-1103.
• PHILLY AFRICAN DANCE AND DRUM FESTIVAL This performance features drumming, song and dance in the spiritual traditions of the Amazones, the women master drummers of Guinea, West Africa. Sat, May 19, 8pm, $25-$30, Martin Luther King Jr. High School, 6100 Stenton Ave., 215-927-7067.
• RIVERDANCE Get jiggy with it. The well-known Irish dance and music extravaganza returns to Philly. Runs through May 20, $27.50-$77.50, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-731-3333.
• SHARE SOME LOVE iNteNse Hip Hop, a Philly-based professional youth performance company, presents a showcase of hip-hop dance.Fri, May 18, 7:30pm, $10, Downingtown High School West, 445 Manor Ave., Downingtown, www.myspace.com/intensehiphop.
• WET. PURPLE. LOVE. AFFAIR. Choreographer/director Jaamil Olawale Kowoko makes his Philly debut with this group work. Runs May 18-20, $8-$10, Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave., 215-387-1911.

  theater

• 2007 DELAWARE YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL The Delaware Theatre Company stages this year's winning middle school and high school plays, including "Oranges" by Hilde Alexander, "The Jump to Enlightenment" by David Hammond, "In a Time of Scoundrels" by three students from Padua Academy, and "American Original" by Daniel Jones. Thu-Fri, May 17-18, 7:30pm, $6-$12, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• CAROUSEL This musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein tells the story of an unemployed carnival worker who is killed during an attempted robbery but given a second chance to make things work with his love. Runs through July 15, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• CHICAGO This parable about the American justice system features murderous chorus girls, slick defense lawyers and plenty of songs. Runs through July 15, $25-$47, The New Candlelight Theatre, 2208 Millers Rd., Ardentown DE, 302-475-2313.
• THE CRUCIBLE The Road Company presents Arthur Miller's take on the the Salem witch trials, which put a community in hysterics and innocent people in gallows. Runs through May 19, $15-$18, The Grand Theatre, 405 Main St., Williamstown NJ, 856-728-2120.
• DAMES AT SEA This nostalgic musical parody tells the story of a songwriting sailor who saved the show and a hometown girl who finds fame and true love. Runs through June 2, $17-$25, The Ritz Theatre Company, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon NJ, 856-858-5230.
• DOUBT The Theatre League of Philadelphia presents this drama about a woman working in a Bronx Catholic school who struggles with her suspicions of a male colleague. Runs through May 20, $25-$64.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.
• THE FOUR OF US 1812 Productions present a comedy about two friends and a hit novel that causes jealousy and strain in their friendship. Directed by Pete Pryor. Runs May 18-June 17, $10-$32, St. Stephen's Theater, 10th and Ludlow sts., 215-592-9560.
• FRESH VOICES The Touchstone Theatre Apprentices present a program of original actor-created, ensemble-based works-in-progress. Runs May 23-26, $8-$10, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, 610-867-1689.
• THE FULL MONTY Pants drop in Terrence McNally's musical adaptation of the 1997 British indie flick about six down-and-out steelworkers who decide to shake their moneymakers. Directed by Rob Del Colle. Runs through May 26, $15-$20, Academy Theatre, 146 Rt. 130, Bordentown, NJ, 609-291-9000.
• THE GIVER This stage adaptation of Lois Lowry's novel of the same name tells the story of Jonas, a young boy who is the memory keeper in a futuristic society. Directed by David Bradley. Runs through May 20, $20-$26, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• THE GREEN BIRD Curio Theatre Company presents a fantasy fairy tale about a king who returns from war, only to find his mother in his throne and his family done away with. Runs through May 26, $10-$22, Calvary Center, 48th & Baltimore sts., 215-525-1350.
• I SENT A LETTER TO MY LOVE In this musical comedy set in 1955, a lonely woman places a correspondence hoping for a little romance, but her only response is from her brother. Directed by Frank Anzalone. Runs through June 10, $25-$40, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-645-0200.
• LOOKINGGLASS ALICE In this acrobatic interpretation of Lewis Carroll's topsy-turvy world, Wonderland is ruled by a larger-than-life Red Queen, Humpty Dumpty actually falls from his ledge and little Alice defies gravity. Adapted and directed by David Catlin. Runs through June 10, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL This celebration of hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges and "The Change" includes such chart-toppers as "I Heard It Thru the Grapevine; You No Longer See 39" and "Stayin' Awake! Stayin' Awake!" Ongoing. $45, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.
• MINOR DEMONS The Playcrafters of Skippack present a drama about a high-profile lawyer who returns to his hometown in order to slow his fast-track life, only to be confronted with moral issues when he defends a murderer as his first case back. Runs May 24-June 9, Playcrafters of Skippack, 2011 Store Rd., Skippack, 610-584-4005.
• THE ODD COUPLE This version of the classic Neil Simon comedy features an all-female cast. Runs through May 19, $12-$14, Narberth Community Theater, Price & Essex sts., Narberth, 610-352-4823.
• OF MYTHIC PROPORTIONS Drawing from their own life experiences, the students of Kensington CAPA High School present a storytelling performance about the impact of violence on growing up in the city. Directed by Michelle Pauls. Wed, May 23, 5pm, FREE , Coral Street Arts House, 2445 Coral St., 215-427-2822.
• OKLAHOMA! Cowboys do ballet and the highest bidder gets the girl in this classic by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Okily-dokily. Runs through May 27, $22.50-$39, The Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.
• ORSON'S SHADOW The Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of Orson Welles' attempts to bring Ionesco's "Rhinoceros" to the stage, troubled by his star's extramarital affair and his wife, the glamorous but unstable Vivien Leigh. Directed by James J. Christy. Runs through June 3, $33-$51, Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-985-0420.
• OTHELLO Othello's life falls apart in the classic Shakespearean tragedy of race, geopolitics and deception. Directed by Carmen Khan. Runs through May 19, $12.50-$25, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom St., 215-496-8001.
• OUT OF SIGHT Solo theater artist and juggler Sara Felder presents a comedy about mothers, daughters and the art of "seeing" — using circus tricks, shadow puppets and a Jewish queer sensibility. Runs through May 27, $15-$20, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 800-838-3006.
• A PIECE OF MY HEART The First World Theater Ensemble presents Shirley Lauro's award-winning drama about the true story of six women who served in Vietnam and how they dealt with the psychological aftermath of war. Directed by Deb Braak. Runs through May 19, $5-$10, Forge Theatre, 241-243 1st Ave., Phoenixville, 610-935-1920.
• SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM A musical revue featuring hits from Stephen Sondheim's prolific and successful career. Runs May 22-July 1, $28, Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-574-3550.
• SPLITTIN' THE RAFT In this retelling of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Hucklebrry Finn," four actors reveal the inner struggles of Huck and Jim. Runs through June 10, $28-$48, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-647-1900.
• THE TEMPEST The classic Shakespearean tale about a duke who was forced to live on an isle by his evil usurper of a brother. Runs through June 9, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
• US DRAG Flashpoint Theatre presents a play about two greedy wannabe socialites, Allison and Angela, who attempt to capture a deranged serial attacker for the cash reward. Directed by Erin Lucas. Runs through May 25, $12-$15, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.
• THE TEMPEST Puppet Uprising and The Missoula Oblongata present this Shakespearean classic about a wizard and his daughter. Each of the five acts are performed by a different company at secret locations. Registration required. E-mail skullpenny@hotmail.com with the subject line "Do I really have to wear a red carnation?" Thu-Sun, May 17-20, 7:30pm, $15-$25. Visit www.puppetuprising.org for more info.

  opera

• SIMON BOCCANEGRA The Amici Opera Company presents a fully staged production of Verdi's tale of love, murder and intrigue in 14th-century Genoa. Music by Reese Revak. Directed by Raffaele Tudisco. Sat, May 19, 7:30pm, $10-$22, Bible Presbyterian Church, 1115 Haddon Ave. & Cuthbert Blvd., Collingswood, NJ, 215-224-0257.

  cabaret

• BOB'S BIG MONDAY SHOWCASE Seven or eight performers do two songs apiece at these weekly shows. A special Monday menu is offered by the restaurant and a minimum $10 food or drink is required. Every Mon, 7:30pm, $8, The Stockton Inn, 1 Main St., Stockton, NJ, 609-397-1250.
• RAZZLE DAZZLE CABARET This showcase features songs by master songwriters from the 1930s to the present day. Runs through June 24, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
• SULTRY AND SOPHISTICATED CABARET This annual gala features Eartha Kitt in a showcase of the glitz and the glamour of cabaret as it existed during turn-of-the-century Paris, 1920s Berlin, and 1950s New York, Thu, May 17, 6pm, $500, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., 215-790-7171.