Performing Arts

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

dance

• COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET Bold and often aggressivel, Dwight Rhoden's works (some performed in toe shoes, some in jazz shoes, others barefoot) speak to the tone and tempo of modern life, providing a sharp, contemporary edge to ballet. Runs through Feb. 3, $36-$39, Victoria Theater, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, One Center St., Newark, NJ, 1-888-466-5722.
• LOOK! Known for their experimental live music and dance innovations, Pima Group invites their audience to interact with and examine the Powel House through contemporary dance. Choreographed by Melisa Putz. Runs through Feb. 3, $8-$12, Powel House, 244 S. 3rd St., 215-627-0364.
• PHILADANCO The West Philly-based dance company led by Joan Myers Brown blends African-American-dance with ballet, jazz and modern. Tue, Feb. 5, 11am, FREE , Delaware County Community College, 901 S. Media Line Rd., Media, 610-359-5000.

  theater

• ADVENTURES IN THE SKIN TRADE In this progressive play adapted from short stories by Dylan Thomas, an 18-year-old writer escapes from his country home and family in Wales for 1940s London. Runs through Feb. 16, 8pm, $12-$18, Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave., 215-427-2822.
• ART French playwright Yasmina Reza's comedy examines the human standards of both art and friendship with a critical eye. When Serge buys a piece of modern art — a canvas painted white — for a very high sum, it throws a kink into his relationships with his two best friends, Marc and Yvan. Directed by David Stradley. Runs through Feb. 10, $31-$220.50, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• ASPECTS OF LOVE Plays and Players presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical charting the shifting alliances of six lovers across three generations. Runs through Feb. 23, $20-$25, Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-735-0630.
• AVENUE Q This Broadway musical about real life in New York City is told by a cast of both people and puppets. Runs through Feb. 10, $31.50-$86.50, Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St., 215-923-1515.
• BLACK GOLD Written and directed by Seth Rozin, this vaudevillian play is a futuristic satire of race, class and greed in a country dependent on foreign oil. Curtis Walker, an African-American man living in Detroit, purchases an oil rig on eBay, allowing him to tap into one of America's largest oil reserves — right in his own back yard. Runs through Feb. 24, $15-$27, InterAct Theater Company, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
• BLACK JOURNEY American Theater Arts for Youth presents this musical that celebrates heritage and tradition through the black musical experience. Runs through Feb. 11, $11-$12, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-563-3501.
• THE BLUE ROOM This drama explores the unpredictable terrain of personal connections, from red-hot affairs to cool and calculated mind games. Runs through Feb. 9, $15, Allens Lane Art Center, McCallum St. & Allens Lane, 215-248-0546.
• A BODY OF WATER In this portrait of the human condition, a man and a woman wake up one morning and find themselves in a strange house, atop a mountain, surrounded by water with no idea who they are or where they've come from. Directed by Gene Roland Frank. Runs through Feb. 17, $30-$40, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-654-0200.
• CRISPIN THE CROSS OF LEAD Set in 1300s England, where plague and tyranny reign, this is the story of a oung orphan with a price on his head. While running for his life he meets Bear, a traveling entertainer who becomes his protector and teacher. Directed by Andrew Belser. Runs through Feb. 24, $28, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN Written by Rob Becker, this one-man play examines the ways men and women relate (and don't relate) to each other. Runs through Feb. 2, $47, Innovation Studio, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.
• DOUG AND MIKE'S ADULT ENTERTAINMENT This puppet show is for big people who still know how to have fun. Wed, Feb. 6, 6-7pm, Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St., 215-898-7108.
• ETHEL WATERS, HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW Bristol Riverside Theatre's production tells the story of Ethel Waters, an African-American jazz singer. Born in to povery, she triumphed over adversity to become both a Broadway and Hollywood star. Directed by Susan Atkinson. Runs through Feb. 24, $10-$22, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
• THE FANTASTICKS The Cadillac Broadway Series brings America's longest running musical to the Kimmel Centerís Innovation Studio. In the classic coming-of-age, two youths will do just about anything to find true love. Runs through Feb. 24, $47, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.
• FISH FACE Little drama queens in grades K-6 and their big people are invited to this new musical based on the book by the Newbery Award-winner Patricia Reilly Giff. Sat, Feb. 2, 10:30am, 1:00 & 3:30pm. $12-$14, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• GRACE Murder, romance, faith and betrayal make for an explosive combination in this darkly funny play by Craig Wright. The story examines the marriage of an intensely Christian couple, their disfigured neighbor, a shaky business deal and the way religious ideas make sense — and sometimes nonsense — of life's events. Runs through Feb. 17, $5-$35, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• HEAVEN KNOWS This musical comedy follows Kate St. Clair, a neurotic NYC actress who thinks she knows it all, until she meets someone who really does. In an assortment of comical incarnations, God shows Kate a thing or two about life. Runs through Feb. 2, $10, Westminster Arts Center, Franklin & Fremont sts., Bloomfield, NJ, 973-748-9000.
• JUNE BRIDE Written and performed by Sara Felder, this story of a "traditional" Jewish lesbian wedding is complete with reluctant parents, blushing brides and some masterful juggling to create a portrait of gay marriage and love in contemporary America. Runs through Feb. 16, $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.
• LEND ME A TENOR This farce revolves around world famous tenor Tito Merelli. He's scheduled to sing the lead in "Otello," but chaos soon ensues, setting off a chain reaction of confusion, plot twists, double entendres and innuendoes. Runs through Feb. 24, $20-$47, The New Candlelight Theatre, 2208 Millers Rd., Ardentown, DE, 302-475-2313.
• M. BUTTERFLY Inspired by Puccini's opera, "Madame Butterfly," David Henry Hwang's Tony Award-winning play explores the stereotypes that threaten relations between East and West — and men and women. Based on a true story about a French diplomat who falls in love with a Chinese opera singer, this play centers around lust, politics and betrayal. Directed by Joe Calarco. Runs through Feb. 24, $10-$58, Philadelphia Theatre Company, 230 S. 15th St., 215-985-0420.
• ME, MYSELF AND I Sibling rivalry is taken to existential heights in this dark, funny and moving play about identical twins with the same name. Directed by Emily Mann. Runs through Feb. 17, $15-$50, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, 609-258-ARTS.
• THE MISANTHROPE The Maukingbird Theatre presents Moliere's comedy about the hypocrisies of 17th-century French aristocracy with an all-male cast set in a gay society. Dito van Reigersberg (aka Martha Graham Cracker) stars as Alceste, who is disgusted by the insincere men around him yet relentlessly pursues a narcissistic pretty boy. Runs through Feb. 2, $15-$20, Second Stage Theatre at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.
• MITE WE? Puppet Uprising presents this giant puppet show about invisible housemates, walls, skin, fear and an interspecies hunger for home. Directed by Beth Nixon and Jack Ohly. Sat & Sun, Feb. 2 & 3, 8pm, $5, Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.
• OSCAR AND THE PINK LADY Rosemary Harris — a Tony- and Emmy-award winner as well as Aunt May of the "Spiderman" trilogy — stars in this funny one-woman show about a volunteer in a children's hospital. Directed by Frank Dunlop. Runs through Feb. 10, $28-$64, George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-246-7717.
• THE PRICE This new production of Arthur Miller's classic features Philadelphia native and Tony Award-nominee Robert Prosky. After not speaking for 16 years, two brothers come together to sell their parents' posessions. They end up battling about much more than heirlooms and are forced to go over painful memories in front of the furniture dealer. Directed by Michael Carleton. Runs through March 2, $10-$57.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• ROOSTERS Theatre Exile presents this story of a father's return after seven years in jail for manslaughter. When he comes home, he must fight his son not only over the ownership of their prized rooster, but also over who is now man of the house. Directed by Deborah Block. Runs through Feb. 24, $18-$30, Christ Church, 20 N. American St., 215-922-4462.
• SKYLIGHT David Hare's drama concerns the reunion of east London school teacher Kyra and posh restaurateur Tom. Although they had a steamy affair years earleir, dramatically different lifestyles may not permit a rekindling. Directed by Dan Kern. Runs through Feb. 24, $15-$104, Lantern Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-829-9002.
• SOUVENIR This play tells the story of legendary Philadelphia socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, a soprano who became famous for her complete lack of rhythm, pitch, tone and overall singing ability. Runs through Feb. 17, $22-$39, The Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.
• SUESSICAL The Road Company presents this musical extravaganza featuring Dr. Suess favorites such as Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Yertle the Turtle and all of the Whos down in Whoville. Runs through Feb. 2, $15-$18, The Grand Theatre, 405 Main St., Williamstown, NJ, 856-728-2120.
• THE TEMPEST Shakespeare's classic dramatic comedy is a tale of mystery, magic, romance and vengeance among a collection of castaways on a deserted island. Runs through Feb. 2, $15, Footlighter's Playhouse, 808 Pomona Rd, Cinnaminson, NJ, 856-829-7144.
• THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON In this play presented by the South Camden Theatre Co., four former teammates come together for a reunion with their high school coach on the 20th anniversary of their victory in the Pennsylvania state championship game. Written by Jason Miller. Runs through Feb. 17, $12-$15, Sacred Heart Church, 1739 Ferry Ave., Camden, NJ, 856-456-2850.
• THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE This Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money instead of love. Even more problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the leader of a white slavery ring in China. Runs through Feb. 16, $23-$26, The Ritz Theatre Company, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon, NJ, 856-858-5230.
• THE VALENTINE Margie Royal's musical for children is about a man who longs to give his sweetheart something special, but is kept away from her by an evil queen. Runs through Feb. 23, $8-$10, The Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.
• THE WEDDING SINGER Based on Adam Sandler's romantic comedy, this musical is fueled by a Tony-nominated score that celebrates '80s pop. Runs through Feb. 10, $21-$69, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, One Center St., Newark, NJ, 888-GO-NJPAC.
• WELCOME HOME, MARIAN ANDERSON Written by and starring Vanessa Shaw, this play tells the story of Philadelphia native Marian Anderson, an African-American singer who overcame racial bias with talent and dignity. Runs through Feb. 10, $15-$42, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.
• WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND Featuring songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this is the story of a young Louisiana girl who finds a mysterious stranger hiding in her barn. When he claims to be Jesus Christ, she assumes her prayers have been answered. Even while the townspeople are determined to find the escaped felon, she protects her new friend from the outside world. Runs through Feb. 10, $25-$74.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.
• WITTENBEREG Set in 1517, this battle of wits features the imaginary meeting of a man of God (church reformer Martin Luther), a man rebelling against God (Dr. Faustus) and a young man searching for moral guidance (Shakespeare's Hamlet himself). The showdown of reason versus faith tells the story behind the stories we all know. Directed by J.R. Sullivan. Runs through March 16, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.

  opera

• LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN Loosely based on the life of the German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann, Rutger's Mason Gross School of Arts brings to life a mysterious world where human and supernatural forces meet as the poet Hoffman tells of his three ill-fated romances. Written by Jacques Offenbach, performed in French with English subtitles. Runs through Feb. 10, $15-$25, Nicholas Music Center, 85 George St., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-932-7511.