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, Dec. 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, master flamenco guitarist, 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.
• GERMAINE INGRAM AND ENSEMBLE The Philadelphia Folklore Project presents the local percussive troupe along with Flamenco del Encuentro and jazz artist Tyrone Brown. Sat, Dec. 8, 8pm, $8-$20, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.
• WINTERFEST 2007 Group Motion presents a program of improv, performance and community featuring a variety of solo and group dance works. Runs through Dec. 9, $10-$25, Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave., 215-387-1911.

  theater

• AGE OF AROUSAL In Linda Griffiths' play, a disproportionate population — 500,000 more women than men — throws 1885 London into a tizzy. All of a sudden, women think they deserve rights. Directed by Blanka Zizka. Runs through Jan. 6, $37-$60, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-893-9456.
• AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' Melba Moore, Eugene Fleming and Ken Prymus belt it out Broadway style in this Tony Award-winning musical featuring the music of "Fats" Waller. Runs through Dec. 31, $35-$55, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.
• BOY GETS GIRL In this drama by Rebecca Gilman, a blind date doesn't work out the way everyone had hoped. Theresa isn't interested, and her friend-of-a-friend turns out to be a stalker. Runs through Dec. 21, $12-$17, Celebration Theater, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, 610-259-1800.
• A CHRISTMAS CAROL Neil Bartlett's adaptation of the classic Dickens story uses nine actors to portray more than 50 characters. Runs through Dec. 31, $28-$52, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ, 973-408-5600.
• THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) London's longest-running comedy features three comedians hurtling through all the Bard's plays (and some of the sonnets for good measure) at lightning speed. Directed by Steve Tague. Runs through Dec. 23, $31-$220.50, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• DOUBT John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning play is set in a Catholic school in 1964 where Sister Aloysius struggles with the inappropriate behavior of Father Flynn towards a male student. Runs through Dec. 23, $28-$64, George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-246-7717.
• THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES This irreverent black comedy by Jeff Goode follows eight disgruntled reindeer as they unpack Santa's sleigh. Runs through Dec. 26, $21, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.
• 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.
• FISHTOWN FIRST FRIDAY PERFORMANCE Miriam Dretler and Ashley Tappan present this series of vignettes including "The Dominatrix," "The Jewish Housewife," "The Girls" and "The Breathing." Fri, Dec. 7, 8pm, $10, Angler Movement Arts Center, 1550 E. Montgomery Ave., 215-922-0866.
• GREATER TUNA Starring Tuna, Texas' most colorful residents, this comedy sees two actors portray 20 characters as they go about their "typical" day. Runs through Dec. 30, $28, Walnut Street Theatre — Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-952-9560.
• HATE MAIL Vascillating between love and hate, Preston, the spoiled rich kid, and Dahlia, the angst-filled artist, trade crazed letters in this twisted love story. Runs through Dec. 9, $30-$40, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-654-0200.
• HELLO, DOLLY! Based on Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker," this musical set in 1880s Yonkers sees the widow Dolly arrange a marriage for the "half-a-millionaire" Horace to a New York heiress. Of course, lady has every intention of marrying Horace herself. Runs through Dec. 23, $30-$47, The New Candlelight Theatre, 2208 Millers Rd., Ardentown, DE, 302-475-2313.
• I HATE HAMLET In Paul Rudnick's comedy, a downtrodden TV star is faced with the intimidating prospect of portraying Hamlet for New York's famous Shakespeare in the Park. Runs through Dec. 15, $10-$15, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, 439 Ashbourne Rd., Cheltenham, 888-715-5589.
• INSERT TITLE HERE Equal parts mystery, theater and comedy, magician David London premieres his unique brand of visual theater. Fri, Dec. 7, 7pm, $10-$15, Greene Street Studios, 6122 Greene St., 215-849-1991.
• JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic puts a musical spin on the book of Genesis. Runs through Dec. 30, $20-$39, The Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.
• 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.
• A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM This production of Shakespeare's romantic comedy brings elements of modern filmmaking to the stage. Runs through Dec. 7, $9, Gordon Theater, Rutgers University, 3rd & Pearl sts., Camden, NJ, 856-225-6176.
• AN O. HENRY CHRISTMAS Adapted from the works of O. Henry, this play sees the transformation of down-and-out characters from all walks of life whose lives are transformed by the arrival of a mysterious storyteller. Runs through Dec. 16, $12-$17, Celebration Theater, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, 610-259-1800.
• PETER PAN J.M. Barrie's lost boys, hooked captains and hungry crocs get singing in the musical adaption. Runs through Jan. 6, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• THE SANTALAND DIARIES This comedy by David Sedaris tells of his time spent working as a disgruntled elf in Macy's Santaland. Runs through Dec. 16, $12-$15, Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St., 215-928-8118.
• THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES In Moliere's comedy of errors, middle-aged Arnolphe brings up a ward in hopes that she will someday prove an ideal and innocent wife. Directed by Kathryn Nocero MacMillan. Runs through Dec. 9, $15-$104, Lantern Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-829-9002.
• THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH George Axelrod's comedy classic tells the story of Richard Sherman, who struggles with temptation and guilt after a chance encounter with a beautiful upstairs neighbor stirs his already active imagination. Runs through Dec. 8, $12-$24, Montgomery Theater, 124 Main St., Souderton, 215-723-9984.
• THIS IS THE WEEK THAT IS Using the sketch, vaudeville, and variety show format, this comedy show attempts to respond to the changing landscape of American politics as the presidential election approaches. Runs through Jan. 13, $12-$34, The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
• TONY 'N' TINA'S WEDDING The happy couple and their unusual guests invite you to anything but a quiet, intimate affair. Runs through Dec. 31, $89, Spirit of Philadelphia, Penn's Landing, Pier 3, 215-297-8540.
• TREASURE ISLAND Audience participation is encouraged in this light-hearted, family-friendly trip across the high seas with the swashbuckling rouge pirate, Long John Silver. Runs through Dec. 30, $29-$48, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• THE VELVETEEN RABBIT Without speaking a word and using shadows, puppets and masked actors, the plush rabbit discovers there is life beyond the nursery walls and the meaning of life, just before its too late. Runs through Dec. 30, $15, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-925-7686.
• VIEUX CARRE Tennessee Williams' rarely produced masterpiece journeys into the heart of the 1930's New Orleans French Quarter to revisit the down-and-out, drug addicted tenants of an infamous boarding house on Toulouse Street. A live jazz ensemble provides a fitting score. Runs through Dec. 22, $25-$28, Christ Church, 20 N. American St., 215-552-8773.

  cabaret

• walking Fish BENEFIT CABARET This evening of performing arts features a selection of theater, music, Flamenco dancing, and comedy. Proceeds benefit the premiere mainstage production at Walking Fish. Sat, Dec. 8, 7pm, $20-$25, Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave., 215-427-2822.