Performing Arts

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

dance

• 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 and Fri. Runs through Dec. 31, 9pm, FREE , Amada Restaurant, 217 Chestnut St, 215-625-2450.
• THE NUTCRACKER The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Balanchine's holiday classic with new costumes by Judanna Lynn and sets by Peter Horne. Runs through Dec. 31, $22-$124, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.
• STOMP Broadway's untraditional dance production combines percussion, movement and visual comedy. Runs through Jan. 2, $25-$49.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.

  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.
• A CHRISTMAS CAROL This intense, humorous retelling of the classic holiday story uses puppets and continues the English tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas time. Intended for adults and brave little ones. Runs through Dec. 30, $25-$30, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-925-7686.
• A CHRISTMAS CAROL In British playwright Neil Bartlett's adaptation of Dickens' novel, a cast of nine actors portrays more than 50 characters. Runs through Dec. 31, $28-$52, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ, 973-408-5600.
• 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.
• HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ON ICE Disney's peppy teenage sing-fest takes it to the ice. Sorry girls, Zac Efron doesn't skate. Runs through Jan. 6, $13-$78, Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-3600.
• THE HOLIDAY GOOSE This musical features a cast of crazy characters from Italy's comic theater who embark on a madcap search for a holiday goose. Runs through Dec. 30, $10, Christ's Lutheran Church, Rech & Pennsylvania aves., Oreland, 215-886-9341.
• HOLIDAY SHOW AT THE SWING CLUB Set on New Year's Eve 1943, this musical features tunes by the Jimmy Goodshaw Five, who play standards and holiday favorites by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Goodman. Runs through Dec. 31, $18-$25, Centre Theatre, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown, 610-279-1013.
• 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.
• THE NUTCRACKER This original stage adaption by Timothy Martin and Drew Petersen is darker than the traditional holiday ballet. Runs through Dec. 29, $10-$22, Curio Theatre Company, 815 S. 48th St., 215-525-1350.
• 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.
• SLEEPING BEAUTY In this production for families, the ultimate happily-ever-after tale gets a modern, comedic update. Runs through Jan. 27, $14-$30, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• STRIKING 12 A beautiful princess carrying lightbulbs saves the cynical guy suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Runs through Dec. 31, $30-$75, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.
• THIS IS THE WEEK THAT IS Using the sketch, vaudeville and variety show format, this comedy by 1812 Productions responds to the changing landscape of American politics as the country prepares for the presidential election. Runs through Jan. 13, $12-$34, The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
• THREE DAYS OF RAIN In this love story by Richard Greenberg, a shy architect finds an unlikely match in an outspoken Southern belle. Thirty years later, their children sort out the story in a Manhatten loft. Runs through Jan. 19, $8-$15, Players Club of Swarthmore, Rt. 320 & Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, 610-328-4271.
• 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 just before its too late. Runs through Dec. 30, $15, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-925-7686.
• A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN'S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT This unconventional holiday extravaganza features L. Ron Hubbard, TomKat, John Travolta, the Dancing Brain, the evil alien Xenu and a cast of nine children in celebration of the Church of Scientology. Runs through Dec. 30, $15-$20, St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-592-9560.
• WINTER WONDERS 2007 Fred's Magic World presents a family-friendly evening of magic and comedy including Houdini-like escapes, psychic sisters and dueling magicians. Runs through Dec. 30, $10-$15, Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St., 215-627-6564.
• THE WORLD GOES ROUND This revue of the work of Kander and Ebb includes songs from "Chicago," "Cabaret" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Runs through Dec. 30, $20-$25, Walnut Street Theater, Studio 5, 825 Walnut St., 215-574-3550.