Performing Arts

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

dance

• FIRST FRIDAY Headlong Dance Theater presents an informal performance of old, new and in-progress works. Fri, Sept. 7, 8pm, FREE , Spirit Wind Arts Center, 213 New St., 215-545-9195.
• FLAMENCO DEL ENCUENTRO This traditional flamenco cuadro is led by Tito Rubio and features vocals by Antonia Arias and percussion by Joseph Tayoun. A rotating schedule of dancers includes Anna Arias Rubio, Liliana Ruiz, Hersjel "el Ache" and Samantha "la Joyita." Every Wed & Fri, 9pm, FREE , Amada Restaurant, 217 Chestnut St, 215-625-2450.

  theater

• PHILADELPHIA LIVE ARTS FESTIVAL & PHILLY FRINGE The Fest is back and even bigger than usual with performers from Argentina, Bulgaria, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, The Netherlands, Poland, Vietnam and every corner of the U.S. Check out drama, comedy, dance, puppetry, music, poetry and more at diverse venues across the city. Runs through Sept. 15, various prices. Visit www.livearts-fringe.org for more info.
• THE ANGEL, THE DEVIL AND GREG BRADY It's Take Your Daughter to Work Day in a very peculiar office: one where Damien and Gabe are working side-by-side to claim the soul of Greg Brady (yes, that Greg Brady). Written by Todd Cardin, directed by Emily Cardin. Runs through Sept 7, $15, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 800-572-7009.
• ASSASSINS In Stephen Sondheim's most controversial musical, various Presidential assassins and would-be assassins, from John Wilkes Booth to Squeaky Fromme, tell their versions of the story — and then influence Lee Harvey Oswald's decision to murder John F. Kennedy. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen. Runs through Oct. 21, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• BROADWAY'S BEST This revue promises to touch on all the great moments from the Great White Way's history, from Gershwin to "Les Mis" to Jersey Boys. Runs through Oct. 11, $37, American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy East, Lancaster, 717-397-7700.
• THE FULL MONTY After a group of unemployed steelworkers from Buffalo, New York realize how much money male strippers make, they decide to change careers. Their new profession makes them plenty of new friends and boosts their booty-shaking confidence. Directed by Tom Quinn. Runs Sept. 12-Oct. 6, $16-$24, Montgomery Theater, 124 Main St., Souderton, 215-723-9984.
• HERE'S KILLING YOU, KID Without a Cue productions keeps doing what it does best, this time with a film noir spoof. Runs through Oct 13, $44.95, Peddler's Village, Rts. 202 & 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000.
• IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY It's three days before Christmas in a London hospital, and Dr. David Mortimore just wants to perfect the lecture that could lead to his knighthood. But events spin wildly beyond his control in this madcap British farce, the sixth in Hedgerow's annual series of Ray Cooney slapsticks. Directed by Andrew Chown and Penelope Reed. Runs through Sept. 9, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
• MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL This celebration of hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges and "The Change" follows four women of a certain age shopping at a Bloomingdale's lingerie sale. Ongoing, $45, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.
• MAN OF LA MANCHA Based on Cervantes' "Adventures of Don Quixote" and set during the Spanish Inquisition, this heartfelt musical is the story of a man who just wants to be a chivalrous knight errant in an era where there's no such thing. Runs through Oct 21, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• NUNSENSE In this comedy, Sister Julia of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, NJ accidentally serves vichyssoise soup tainted with botulism to her fellow nuns, killing 52. The surviving sisters must go to some great lengths to raise funds for the dead nuns' funerals. Runs through Sept. 30, $25-$47, The New Candlelight Theatre, 2208 Millers Rd., Ardentown, DE, 302-475-2313.
• SLAVE NARRATIVES REVISITED Ed Shockley's play is a collection of tales of slavery from all over the globe — including the U.S., Africa, South Asia and the Middle East — told through stories, diaries, letters and news articles. This performance, in conjunction with Darryl Henderson's International Black Film and Media Conference, is the final fundraiser before the show tours London. Fri, Sept. 7, 8pm, $15-$25, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-477-1932.
• TONY 'N TINA'S WEDDING Eschewing the traditional conjunction since 1988, the original environmental-theater show keeps chugging along. Join the happy couple and their wacky friends for anything but a reserved, tasteful ceremony. Runs through Dec. 31, $89, Spirit of Philadelphia, Penn's Landing, Pier 3, 215-297-8540.
• WICKED: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WITCHES OF OZ This musical, based on Gregory Maguire's novel, tells an alternate history of the land of Oz before Dorothy dropped started stealing shoes and dropping houses. Elphaba, the eventual Wicked Witch of the West, is just a misunderstood teenager, and the Wizard ain't so wonderful after all. Runs through Sept. 9, $30-$150, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.

  cabaret

• CABARET BENEFIT This evening of cabaret benefits research for polycystic kidney disease. Sat, Sept. 8, 7pm, $12, The Players Club Theatre, Fairview & Chester rds., Swarthmore, 610-328-4271.
• MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER CABARET This night of music and mayhem stars 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.
• SUNRIZE: THE 7-FOOT, REDHEADED MUSICAL COMEDY HIT This benefit for Gas and Electric Arts is a one-woman extravaganza featuring Sunrize Highway, a drag queen conceived by Joseph Ritsch. She'll be reviving those old Broadway tunes with a dash of her own wit and whimsy. Sun, Sept. 9, 7pm, $20, Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St., 215-407-0556.