Performing Arts

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

dance

• IN FLUX This showcase features works-in-progress by choreographers Melissa Chisena, Kate Jordan, Mary LaBianca, Alexandra Reekie and Abigail Zbikowskie . The pieces are followed by a conversation about the works, with audience feedback appreciated. Sat, Feb. 16, 8pm, $5 suggested donation, Mascher Space Cooperative, 155 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 530-906-5073.
• INDIA JAZZ SUITES Tapper Jason Samuels Smith and Indian kathak dancer Pandit Chitresh Das share the stage for a East-meets-West performance accompanied by classical Indian and jazz music ensembles. Fri, Feb. 15, 8pm, $5-$18, Goodhart Theatre, Bryn Mawr College, 101 Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-526-5210.
• KARIAMU AND COMPANY TRADITIONS This contemporary African company combines dance and theater works that speak to the political, social and spiritual experiences of African people. Sat, Feb. 16, 8pm, $13-$15, Conwell Dance Theater, Temple University, Broad St. & Montgomery Ave., 215-204-8710.
• SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS Choreographer Shen Wei explores the relationships between Western and Eastern civilizations through the fusion of dance, theater, Chinese opera, painting and sculpture. Included will be "Re-," a piece based on the spirituality of Tibet's culture, people and land with music by Tibetan nun Choying Drolma. Feb. 17, $34-$44, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800.

  theater

• 6221 Written by local playwright Thomas Gibbons, this is the story of Osage Avenue on May 13, 1985, the day the MOVE house was bombed. Runs through Feb. 23, $8-$16, Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St., 215-545-0630.
• ADVENTURES IN THE SKIN TRADE In this play adapted from the short stories of Dylan Thomas, an 18-year-old writer escapes from his country home and family in Wales for the chaos and excitement of 1940s London. Runs through Feb. 16, 8pm, $12-$18, Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave., 215-427-2822.
• AFFLUENZA! Playwright James Sherman's comedy of manners tells the story of multimillionaire William Moore. When he brings home his new girlfriend, his son and ex-wife are threatened by the potential new heir to the family fortune. Runs through March 8, $16-$33, Montgomery Theater, 124 Main St., Souderton, 215-723-9984.
• ASPECTS OF LOVE Based on a novella by David Garnett, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical follows a cluster of lovers and their various pairings across three generations. Runs through Feb. 23, $20-$25, Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-735-0630.
• BABY In this musical, three couples — in their 40s, 30s and college years — prepare for new (and not necessarily planned) additions to their families. Directed by Peter Reynolds. Runs through March 2, $20-$80, Villanova Theatre, Villanova University, Vasey Hall, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, 610-519-7474.
• 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 Americaís largest oil reserves — right in his own backyard. Runs through Feb. 24, $15-$27, InterAct Theater Co., 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
• 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.
• BROTHABLACKMANBLUESSONG Poets 4 Peace are behind this multimedia production featuring spoken word, poetry, music, song and dance united in a common goal to reduce youth violence and increase positive choices. Directed by Reuben Jones. Sun, Feb. 17, 6pm, $5-$10, Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.
• CRISPIN THE CROSS OF LEAD Set in 1300s England, where plague and tyranny reign, this is the story of a young 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 Co., 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• 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 became 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 GLASS MENAGERIE In Tennessee Williams' classic, Tom is torn between a fierce loyalty to his painfully shy sister and his desire to be free of his family and meaningless job. Runs through March 22, $29-$48, People's Light & Theatre Co., 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• GRACE Craig Wright's darkly funny play examines the marriage of an intensely Christian couple, their disfigured neighbor, a shaky business deal and the way religious ideas make sense (and sometimes a mess) of life's events. Runs through Feb. 17, $5-$35, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
• I DO! I DO! Based on the play "Four-poster" by Jan de Hartog, this musical chronicles 50 years of one couples' ups and downs, from newlyweds to empty nesters. Runs through Feb. 16, $12-$15, Dennis Flyer Memorial Theatre, Camden County College, College Drive, Blackwood, NJ, 856-227-7200.
• IN THE BOOM BOOM ROOM Written by Philadelphia native David Rabe, this play set in Philly circa 1970 takes a behind-the-scenes look at the strip club business through Chrissy, who is struggling with what it means to be a show girl. Runs through Feb. 24, pay what you can, Gershman Hall, University of the Arts, Broad & Pine sts., 215-569-8080.
• JUNE BRIDE Written and performed by Sara Felder, this look at contemporary gay America is complete with a "traditional" Jewish lesbian wedding, reluctant parents, multiple blushing brides and some masterful juggling for good measure. 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 play explores the stereotypes that threaten relations between East, West, 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 Co., 230 S. 15th St., 215-985-0420.
• THE MASTER AND MARGARITA Adapted from the novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, this puppet show chronicles a good-vs.-evil showdown between Master, Margarita, Satan, Pontius Pilate and one Jesus Christ in atheist Moscow. Directed by Adrienne Mackey. Runs through Feb. 23, $25-$35, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-563-7500.
• ME, MYSELF AND I Sibling rivalry is taken to new heights in this dark comedy 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.
• MEMORY HOUSE Flashpoint Theatre Co. presents the Philadelphia premiere of Kathleen Tolan's comedy about the special (but strained) relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter as they attempt to work out their past and futures in addition to their current lives. Runs through March 1, $12-$18, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.
• MR. BAILEY'S MINDER Written by Debra Oswald, this story follows Mr. Bailey, whose binge-drinking and self-loathing threatens to destroy his career as an artist. When his daughter hires him a babysitter of sorts (who recently spent time in prison), the troubled man begins to understand friendship and forgiveness. Runs through March 9, $28, Walnut Street Theatre — Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-952-9560.
• O WHOLLY NIGHT AND OTHER JEWISH SOLECISMS Birthright Israel NEXT sponsors this play reading by Sara Felder about a young woman's journey into the "exquisite burdens of Jewishness." Wed, Feb. 20, 7pm, FREE , ORYTAH Arts and Culture Center, 33 N. 3rd St, 215-592-4445.
• 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 does come 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.
• 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 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 Co., 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon, NJ, 856-858-5230.
• THE UGLY PRINCESS Omoba Art and Theatre Co. stages this play for families about a gorgeous princess with a not so pretty attitude.Sat, Feb. 16, 1 & 4pm, $5, Cheltenham Art Center, 439 Ashbourne Rd., Cheltenham, 215-379-4660.
• 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.
• 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). Directed by J.R. Sullivan. Runs through March 16, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• WRITING ALOUD: WHAT WORK IS Now in its ninth season, Interact Theatre Co. presents work by contemporary writers read aloud by actors from Philadelphia. This evening features stories written by William Hoffman, Maggie Fay and R.A. Lopata about how our jobs impact our personal lives. Mon, Feb. 18, 7pm, $10-$15, Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St., 215-627-6564.
• YING TONG — A WALK WITH THE GOONS This inherently absurd play by Roy Smiles takes a look behind the wild scenes of "The Goon Show," a 1950s BBC radio sketch show. Creator Spike Milligan is losing his mind revolutionizing comedy, while his fellow goons (who include Peter Sellers) aren't doing that much better. Directed by Jiri Zizka. Runs through March 16, $37-$60, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-893-9456.

  opera

• CYRANO The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents this story of Cyrano, a Frenchman of multiple talents, and Christian, who makes up for what he lacks with good looks. When they both fall in love with Roxanne, Christian seeks help from his clever friend. Runs through Feb. 17, $7.50-$185, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.

  cabaret

• THE MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER CABARET Pig Iron Theatre's Dito van Reigersberg stars as the fab Martha Graham Cracker at this night of cabaret featuring everything from the classic Judy to Prince. Thu, Feb. 14, 9pm, $10, L'Etage, 6th & Bainbridge sts., 215-592-0656.
• WHEREVER LOVE TAKES ME Anna Bergman's solo show features selections from Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and Ernesto Di Curtis. Runs through Feb. 24, $35-$45, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.