Performing Arts

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

dance

• BEN MUNISTERI DANCE PROJECTS The New York City dance company presents a program of contemporary and modern works. Free with admission. Fri, June 8, 7:30pm, FREE , Longwood Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.
• CINDERELLA This ballet tells the classic tale of a beautiful and overworked blonde, her nasty family, a missing shoe and the hot prince who makes it all better. Sat, June 9, 11am & 3pm; Sun, June 10, 1pm, $20-$30, Mitchell Performing Arts Center, Buck & Tomlinson rds., Bryn Athyn, 215-348-7175.
• CURRENT: AN EVENING OF DANCE AND ART In this multimedia show, Herebegin dance company premieres new works from founder Zornitsa Stoyanova and Vermont choreographer Eric Conroe. Philly-area dancers, sculptors and visual artists join the fun. Sat, June 9, 8pm, $5, Mascher Space Cooperative, 155 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 609-680-7670.
• DANCEBOOM! The annual festival celebrating Philly's contemporary dance scene features three weeks of showcases on new works by guest artists Chosen Dance Company, Kingsessing Morris Men Bridgman/Packer Dance, BALLETX and others. Curated by Terry Fox. Runs through June 17, $10-$25, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-546-7824.
• GATE The perenially surprising Leah Stein is at it again. In this site-specific performance, seven members of her dance company will weave through the abandoned cellblocks and spooky grounds of Philadelphia's favorite former state prison. Runs June 8-17, $10-$15, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2124 Fairmount Ave., 215-438-2688.
• SLEEPING BEAUTY The Pennsylvania Ballet tells the story of a sleeping princess and a noble prince who breaks an evil spell in this full-length dance production. Runs through June 9, $22-$122, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.
• SUMMER NEW FESTIVAL The Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre presents the nEW summer festival, featuring daily master classes, Meet the Artist events and a field trip to St. Andrew's Cathedral for a free preview of SCRAP Performance Group's "Three Sisters." Workshops and performance prices vary. Runs through June 22. Call 215-413-3790 for additional information.

  theater

• AROUND TOWN These dances and dramas are inspired by the sites, shops and people of Chestnut Hill. Fri, June 8, 7pm; Sat, June 9, 3pm. Runs through June 9, $2-$12, Hatch Dance Theater, 8333 Germantown Ave., 215-416-0457.
• THE BLUEST EYE This stage adptation of Toni Morrison's controversial novel is the story of a young black girl dealing with racism and child molestation during the Great Depression. Directed by Walter Dallas. Runs through June 17, $20-$25, New Freedom Theatre, 1346 N. Broad St., 215-978-8497.
• CAMELOT The Theatre League of Philadelphia presents this musical drama featuring the classic love triangle between King Arthur, his youthful wife Guinevere and the lovable Sir Lancelot. Runs through June 10, $25-$73.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.
• 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.
• EDGE OF THE WORLD This work-in-progress performance experiment features 5-minute plays addressing Asian-American culture. Featuring 12 Asian-American artists and performers from all over the country, the evening includes segments of spoken-word, comedy and performance art. Sun, June 10, 6pm, $10, Asian Arts Initiative, 1315 Cherry St., 2nd floor, 215-557-0455.
• THE FOUR OF US 1812 Productions presents a comedy about two friends, two careers and the hit novel that almost destroyed a friendship. Directed by Pete Pryor. Runs through June 17, $10-$32, St. Stephen's Theater, 10th &Ludlow sts., 215-592-9560.
• GUNS AND TAMPONS: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN I KNOW Spoken-word artist and writer Hanalei Ramos compiled the testimonies of multiple women who have survived domestic violence and combined them with her own experiences to create this one-woman show. She also examines subtler forms of violence, including the manipulation of women by cultural norms and societal conditioning. Sat, June 9, 7pm, $10, Asian Arts Initiative, 1315 Cherry St., 2nd floor, 215-557-0455.
• HAIR On the groundbreaking musical's 40th anniversary, Prince Music Theater stages this production about rebellious youths looking to change the world, singing the original hits "Aquarius," "Good Morning, Sunshine" and more. Directed by Richard M. Parison, Jr. Runs through June 16, $35-$55, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.
• 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.
• JUST BELIEVE Curtain Call Creations presents this musical written and performed by local middle and high school students. Its protagonist, Anabel, has dreamed all her life of attending the University of Pennsylvania, but it'll take the help of some otherworldly gods and goddesses to get her there. Directed by Maureen Mullin. Fri, June 8, 7pm; Sat, June 9, 3 & 7pm, $15, Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St., 610-517-1053.
• LEND ME A TENOR The Barley Sheaf Players present a musical comedy about opening night mishaps when the earnest assistant of a world-renowned tenor tries to cover his employer's supposed death. Runs through June 16, $10-$12, West Chester & Barley Sheaf Playhouse, 810 N. Whitford Rd., Lionville, 610-363-7075.
• LOOKINGGLASS ALICE In this acrobatic interpretation of Lewis Carroll's spacey 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.
• MACHINES MACHINES MACHINES MACHINES MACHINES MACHINES MACHINES In this comedic 2002 Philly Fringe hit, three brothers seclude themselves in a bunker with a collection of Rube Goldberg-esque machines. It features contraptions designed by Philadelphia-area sculptors Steven Dufala and Billy Blaise Dufala. Directed by Aleksandra Wolska. Runs through June 17, $17-$25, Alter(ed) Garage, 818 Alter St., 215-531-3185.
• 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 Ten years after a successful New York run, local playwright Bruce Graham's drama returns to the Philly suburbs. In this story of a high-profile lawyer who goes back to his hometown to get off the fast track, things quickly get tricky. He defends a teenager who's been accused of murder, and must deal with the morality of the case and his own sordid past. Runs through June 9, $12, Playcrafters of Skippack, 2011 Store Rd., Skippack, 610-584-4005.
• THE PHILLY FAN In this 2005 Barrymore nominee, Tom McCarthy reviews 50 years of Philly sports, feircely loyal fans and heartbreaking disappointments. Directed by Joe Canuso. Runs through June 17, 8pm, $25, Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-922-4462.
• 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.
• ROMEO AND JULIET The Bard's classic ill-fated love story, with the added distinction that it's performed by only eight actors playing multiple roles. Directed by Marcia Hepps. Runs through June 24, $18-$20, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.
• SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM This musical revue features hits from Stephen Sondheim's prolific and successful career. Runs through July 1, $28, Walnut Street Theatre — Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-574-3550.
• SKIN IN FLAMES InterAct Theatre's final offering this season tells the story of a photographer during a civil war in Europe. When he returns to receive an award, he encounters one of his subjects and a mysterious young woman. Directed by Seth Rozin. Runs through June 24, $15-$22, Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8079.
• SPLITTIN' THE RAFT In this retelling of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Hucklebrry Finn," four actors reveal the inner struggles of Huck Finn 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.
• THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON You might remember Jason Miller as Father Damien Karras in "The Exorcist," but the actor was also Pulitzer-winning playwright. In this drama, four high school basketball hotshots gather at their coach's home on the 20th anniversary of their championship win. Directed by David Flagg. Runs June 8- 23, $13-$15, Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave., 215-247-8881.
• THROW THE VIRGIN IN THE VOLCANO In this scandalous comedy, an almost-divorced woman must figure out a way to regain possession of a nude portrait painted by her ex before he can exhibit it — even if she has to enlist the help of shady professionals. Written and produced by Joseph Greenfield. Runs June 7-17, $15, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 215-635-4244.
• WAR SONGS II: MORE SONGS FROM THE VIETNAM ERA Following last summer's first installment, this "musicale" features live performances of songs by the likes of Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, James Taylor, The Beatles and more. Runs through June 10, $10-$29, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.
• THE WINTER'S TALE The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival presents the Bard's later drama about separations and reunions envisioned as a Monet-illustrated storybook romance. Directed by Patrick Mulcahy. Runs through July 1, $27-$45, DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley, 610-282-9455.

  opera

• COSI FAN TUTTE The students of Haddonfield School of Performing Arts present a concert-style production of Mozart's opera buffa about men who doubt their faithful lovers. Performed in English with explanatory narration. Sun, June 10, 4pm, $10-$12, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 409 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn NJ, 856-429-9327.
• THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY Center City Opera Theater presents the world premiere, chamber orchestra version of Libermann's work, based on Oscar Wilde's novel about a man whose true appearance is reflected in an oil painting. Runs through June 12, $39-$98, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.
• THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE They may not have expensive special effects or Johnny Depp's swagger, but these pirates sing. One of the Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comic operas, the story begins when young Frederic is sent to live with a pirate by mistake and only gets more complicated from there. Runs through June 23, Footlighters Theater, 58 Main Ave., Berwyn, 610-296-9245.

  cabaret

• BOB'S BIG MONDAY SHOWCASE Seven or eight performers do two songs 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.
• JESSICA MOLASKEY The veteran musical theatre actress and cabaret performer brings the sounds and stories of Broadway to Philly. Runs through June 17, $35-$40, Prince Music Theatre's Black Box, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.
• MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER CABARET A night of music and mayhem starring Pig Iron Theatre's Dito van Reigersberg as the absolutely fabulous Martha Graham Cracker. Every first Thu, 9pm, $10, L'Etage, Beau Monde, 2nd floor, 6th & Bainbridge sts., 215-592-0656.
• 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.