Performing Arts

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

dance

• BALLET FOLKLORICO DE MEXICO Amalia Hernandez's dance company brings Mexico's rich history and culture to life, complete with lavish costumes and music illustrating the mythic and modern tales of Mexico. Runs through Oct. 14, $26-$62, Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-790-5847.
• COMPANY B Come boogey to the sounds with Company B with dances set to WWII hits like the "Pennsylvania Polka" and "Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy." Also, a performance of George Balanchine's "Concerto Barocco" and "As It's Going," a ballet set to the music of Demitri Shostakovich. Runs through Oct. 14, $19.50-$121.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.
• HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO HSDC performs the rarely seen "Baker's Dozen" by Tony Award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp and "Passo Mezzo" by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin. Runs through Oct. 20, $32-$46, Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.
• INDEPENDENCE STARTS HERE: OPENING CEREMONY The opening ceremony of Independence Starts Here: A Festival of Disability Arts and Culture showcases the unlimited talents of artists with disabilities and features wheelchair dance duo Light Motion. Thu, Oct. 18, 7pm, $60-$200, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800.

  theater

• AN ACT OF THE IMAGINATION When mystery writer Arthur Putnam's latest novel is devoid of mystery but replete with steamy romance, his family, friends and editor begin to suspect the book was culled from Arthur's own romantic conquests. Runs through Nov. 17, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
• AMADEUS Peter Shaffer's Mozart fantasy-drama pits the wunderkind against a bitter court composer, Antonio Salieri. Dismayed by Mozart's adolescent behavior and charmless self-confidence, Salieri vows to do everything in his power to take Mozart down. Directed by Jiri Zizka. Runs through Oct. 27, $19-$60, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-546-0895.
• 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 Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• BEYOND THERAPY In Christopher Durang's zany comedy, Bruce and Prudence are single Manhattanites who just want to find a nice date. On advice from their very eccentric psychiatrists, each places a personal ad, and they find each other. But several obstacles — including the therapists themselves and the wrath of Bruce's live-in lover, Bob — ensure the romance will be anything but easy. Directed by Dina Amin. Runs through Oct 14, $20-$80, Villanova Theatre, Villanova University, Vasey Hall, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, 610-519-7474.
• CATCH 22 The absurdity of war comes to life in this timely performance of Joseph Heller's classic novel. Runs through Oct. 17, $20-$40, Stockton Performing Arts Center, Jim Leeds Rd., Pomona, NJ, 609-652-9000.
• THE CRUCIBLE Set Salem, MA in 1692, Arthur Miller's classic drama chronicles the witch trial of one woman's ex-lover's wife. Runs through Oct. 20, $15, Town and Country Players, 4158 York Rd., Buckingham, 215-348-7566.
• DEATH AND THE MAIDEN Written by Ariel Dorfman, this political thriller explores the effects of a totalitarian dictatorship on the hearts and souls of its citizens. Runs through Oct. 27, $10-$22, Curio Theatre Co., 815 S. 48th St., 215-525-1350.
• THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's award-winning stage adaptation is based on Anne Frank's heartbreaking diary written while her family hid from the Nazis in 1940s Amsterdam. Directed by Meredith McDonough. Runs through Nov. 9, $31-$220.50, Delaware Theatre Co., 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• DOG SEES GOD CB's loyal canine succumbs to rabies, leading him to question the existence of life after death. CB looks to friends and family for guidance, but they are either too high, too goth, too drunk or too crazy to provide any real any sort of solace. Directed by Bill Egan. Runs through Oct. 13, $20-$25, Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-735-0630.
• AN EMPTY PLATE IN THE CAFe DU GRAND BOEUF Victor, an American expatriate living in Paris, owns the world's greatest restaurant, the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, and keeps it all to himself for his own private dining pleasure. After returning from a summer holiday in Madrid, Victor announces his plan to starve himself to death. This dark comedy celebrates cooking, bullfighting and the collected works of Hemingway. Runs through Dec. 9, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• I DO! I DO! This two-person musical takes us between the sheets of Agnes and Michael as they try to keep the marital flame alive through the good, the bad and the ugly of their 50-year odyssey together. Runs through Oct. 21, $15-$39, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.
• IN CONFLICT Based on the book by Yvonne Latty, this drama chronicles the unheard voices and experiences of Iraq War veterans as they speak about duty, loss and the fight to stay alive. Runs through Oct. 13, $20, Randall Theater, Temple University, 13th & Norris sts., 215-204-1122.
• THE INSANITY OF MARY GIRARD This expressionistic drama by Lanie Robertson centers around the marriage of Stephen and Mary Girard's. Stephen has Mary declared legally insane, under questionable circumstances, resulting in Mary being committed to an asylum for the rest of her life. Runs through Oct. 21, FREE , Gershman Hall, University of the Arts, Broad & Pine sts., 215-569-8080.
• THE LONESOME WEST This play by Martin McDonagh is like Sam Shepard's "True West" as viewed through Irish eyes: Brothers Coleman and Valene manufacture brawlish arguments from even the smallest of topics following the (accidental?) death of their father. Directed by David O'Connor. Runs through Oct. 14, $15-$104, Lantern Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-829-9002.
• 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.
• MISS SAIGON In this theatrical spectacle, heartstrings are pulled to their breaking point as an American soldier and his Vietnamese girlfriend are forever separated during the fall of Saigon, but hopes remains for the soldier and the child he never knew. Runs through Oct. 14, $8-$39, Media Theater for the Performing Arts, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.
• MAN OF LA MANCHA Based on Cervantes' "Adventures of Don Quixote" and set during the Spanish Inquisition, this heartfelt musical is about 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.
• A NIGHT IN THE OLD MARKETPLACE The world premiere musical adaptation of Yiddish playwright I.L. Peretz's famous work puts a Klezmer spin on a magical tale of men trying to right past wrongs and rediscover the meaning of faith along the way. Directed by Alexandra Aron. Runs through Oct. 21, $35-$55, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.
• THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE This one-woman show, made famous by Lily Tomlin, features 16 characters representing all walks of contemporary female American life — from prostitutes to soccer moms and, of course, Trudy the bag lady. Starring Jennifer Childs, directed by Mary Jackman Carpenter. Runs through Oct. 28, $12-$34, Walnut Street Theatre — Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-592-9560.
• SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR IN Luigi Pirandello's master work, six characters suddenly invade the rehearsal of another play and demand that their stories are told, raising questions about the nature of reality versus illusion and truth versus fiction. Runs through Nov. 4, $29-$48, People's Light & Theatre Co., 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• THREE TALL WOMEN Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play is about the triumphs and woes of an elderly dame trying to save her sanity. With the help of a caregiver and a lawyer, she revisits her past to find the "happiest time."Runs through Oct. 27, $16-$21, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.
• THE WHY Convicted school-shooter Robert tries to explain his actions amidst a fearful, manipulated world where the demise of others turns a profit for media conglomerates. Runs through Oct. 28, $12-$15, Second Stage Theatre at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-923-2766.

  opera

• RIGOLETTO A beautiful, new production of Verdi's masterpiece. When Rigoletto, the hunchback court jester, sees his beloved daughter Gilda become prey for the lecherous Duke, a murderous plot unfolds that can only lead to a dramatic and tragic climax. Runs through Oct. 17, $7-$205, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.

  cabaret

• MICHAEL OGBORN This Philadelphia native has been a part of the city's theater world for more than 20 years, and is back by popular demand for a night of cabaret. Sat, Oct. 13, $20-$30, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., 215-545-4302.