Performing Arts

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

dance

• BABELESQUE The troupe created by Miles Copeland, have been touring the U.S. and Europe for five years, stepping up the already-sensual art of belly dancing and popularizing the form. Thu, Nov. 1, 8pm, $35-$55, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. & Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650.
• BALLETX: THREE WORLD PREMIERES The Philadelphia-based dance company presents three world premieres by Matthew Neena, Adam Houghland and Christine Cox. Runs through Nov. 4, $20-$25, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-546-STAGE.
• CIVILIAN/WARRIOR Miro Dance Theatre presents this multimedia piece combining documentary film, multi-screen video installations and live dance. The performance is inspired by interviews with recent war veterans and Buchner modernist classic "Woyzeck.." Thu, Nov. 1, 6pm, FREE , Girard College, 2101 S. College Ave., 215-787-2600.
• DRACULA Complete with flying vampires, Ben Stevenson's timely production captures monsters that threaten Transylvania. Runs through Nov. 3, $22-$124, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.
• ETC PERFORMANCE SERIES The premiere of this bimonthly performing arts showcase features SURGE Dance Co., Twins and Friends Dance Co. and Underground Dance Works. Sat-Sun, Nov. 3-4, 8pm, $5-$7, University City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St., 215-382-7811.
• KORESH ARTIST SHOWCASE The Koresh dancers kick it to the hits of the '80s. Sun, Nov. 4, 6 & 8pm, $10, Koresh Dance Company, 2020 Chestnut St., 215-751-0959.
• MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY This legendary company performs "Panorama," a social protest examining Puritan heritage and the exploitation of African Americans. Runs through Nov. 10, $32-$46, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.
• MERIAN SOTO: ONE YEAR WISSAHICKON PARK PROJECT Award-winning choreographer Merian Soto presents an outdoor dance performance investigating the correspondences between movement, the elements, physical experience and consciousness. Sun, Nov. 4, 10:30am, FREE , Wissahickon Valley Park, 9800 Germantown Pike, 215-247-0417.
• NY DANCE EXCHANGE The annual artist exchange between the CEC and NYC-based New Dance Alliance features a rare opportunity to experience the NY downtown dance scene in Philly. Sat, Nov. 3, 8pm, $10-$12, Meeting House Theatre, Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave., 215-387-1911.
• ODALAN BALI The 25-member Balinese ensemble Gamelon Cudamani perform a traditonal temple ceremony that brings Balinese mythology and history to life with music, dance and drama. Sat, Nov. 3, 2 & 8pm, $15-$30, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.

  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.
• ASSINIA A comedy by Roman playwright Plautus tells the story of two servants carrying out the bidding of their doddering master. Runs through Nov. 4, FREE , Gershman Hall, University of the Arts, Broad & Pine sts., 215-569-8080.
• BEING ALIVE This groundbreaking new musical blends four decades of Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics with jazz, blues, R&B, hip-hop and gospel in celebration of the human condition. Conceived and directed by Billy Porter. Runs through Dec. 2, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., 215-985-0420.
• BREATHING CORPSES Laura Wade's award-winning black comedy tries to piece together a series of gruesome deaths. Directed by Gregory Scott Campbell. Runs through Nov. 4, $15-$30, Walnut Street Theater, Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.
• COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA ABRIDGED The Reduced Shakespeare Company compresses 600 years of history into 6,000 minutes of fast-paced comedy. Runs through Nov. 17, $5-$10, The Barnstormers Theater, Ward & Tome sts., Ridley Park, 610-461-9969.
• THE CRADLE WILL ROCK Philadelphia native Marc Blitzen's musical allegory centers around corporate corruption and greed. Runs through Nov. 10, $8-$16, Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St., 215-545-0603.
• DEATH OF A SALESMAN This retelling of Arthur Miller's classic play about the American Dream featrures an Africa-American Loman family living and working in a white world. Runs through Nov. 11, $16-$30, Luna Stage Company, 695 Bloomfield Ave, 973-744-3309.
• AN EMPTY PLATE IN THE CAFe DU GRAND BOEUF Victor, an American expatriate living in Paris, owns the world's greatest restaurant but 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 Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• AN IDEAL HUSBAND Showcasing the unceasing wit of Oscar Wilde, this play follows Sir Robert Chiltern as he tries to decide between upholding the values that he holds so dear or betraying them at the behest of the powerfully rich and beautiful Mrs. Chevely. Runs through Nov. 18, $12, Old Academy Players, 3544 Indian Queen Lane, 215-843-1109.
• IN THE CONTINUUM Dramatizing the devastating effects of AIDS, an African woman in Zimbabwe and an African-American woman in Los Angeles experience a weekend of darkly comic life-altering revelations. Runs through Nov. 11, $10-$15, Mason Gross Performing Arts Center, 85 George St., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-932-7511.
• THE KHAN GAME: A NUCLEAR FABLE IN THREE ACTS The Project for Nuclear Awareness presents this interactive piece on nuclear threats, Scenarios include Pakistan, Iran and weapons in space. Thu, Nov. 8, 7:30pm, $25, Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Sq., 215-568-1702.
• THE MAGIC FLUTE The Salzburg Marionettes animate their lifesize puppets to stage this work by Mozart. Runs through Nov. 10, $29-$45, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.
• 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.
• MOLLY SWEENEY This drama by Brian Friel' is based on a case study of Dr. Oliver Sacks in which a blind woman miraculously regains her sight. For the first time the lead role will be played by a blind actress, Pamela Sabaugh. Directed by Tom Reing. Runs through Nov. 18, $10-$10, Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 877-985-2844.
• PETER PAN J.M. Barrie's beloved tale of the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up comes to life in this musical version, which features songs such as "I'm Flying" and "Never-Never Land." Runs through Jan. 6, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• 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 Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• THE SOUND OF MUSIC The Salzburg Marionettes stage Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical with their lifesize puppets. Runs through Nov. 10, $29-$45, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

  cabaret

• MAX RAABE AND PALAST ORCHESTER This evening of cabaret features vocalist Max Raabe and the 12-piece Palast Orchester, who will perform pieces by Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and Lehar. Runs through Nov. 3, $34-$44, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800.