Performing Arts

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

dance

• BIPED AND EYESPACE Merce Cunningham Dance Co. perform these modern pieces that mesh dancing and technology. BYO iPod to hear the sound from your own player. Runs through Feb. 29, $30-$50, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-6791.
• SHUT UP & DANCE BENEFIT The Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA) presents this night featuring dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet. The evening supports MANNA's mission to care for and nourish those with nutritional illnesses. Sat, Feb. 23, 8pm, $35-$175, Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St., 215-923-1515.

  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.
• AFFLUENZA! 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 parings 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 EYE LOVE This drama by Kareem Rogers follows the journey the story of a young woman who, molested as a child, leaves home and finds herself living the life of a prostitute. Runs through Feb. 24, $15-$20, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.
• 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 Company, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
• 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 Company, 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 poverty, 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 Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500.
• 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, 401 S. Broad St., 215-569-8080.
• 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 Company, 230 S. 15th St., 215-985-0420.
• MAKHT A TSIMES Congregation Beth Ahavah presents this afternoon of classic songs and sketches from Yiddish theatre as performed by the Folksbiene Troupe. Sun, Feb. 24, 3pm, $5, Congregation Rodeph-Shalom, 615 N. Broad St., 215-923-2003.
• MARY'S WEDDING In Stephen Massicotte's romance, young lovers Charlie and Mary are torn apart by World War I. Directed by Anne Marie Cammarato. Runs through March 16, $31-$220.50, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• THE MASTER AND MARGARITA Adapted from the novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, this puppet show chronicles a good-and-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.
• MEMORY HOUSE Flashpoint Theatre Company 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 relationship. 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 role as Australiaís greatest living 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.
• THE ODYSSEY This fast-paced, spoken-word performance recounts Odysseus' adventures on the high seas battling cyclops, goddesses and sirens as he struggles to return home. Runs through March 15, $10-$22, Curio Theatre Company, 815 S. 48th St., 215-525-1350.
• OH, FOR THE LOVE OF LOVE These three short plays — "Ohio Impromptu" by Samuel Beckett, "Frenzy For Two Or More" by Eugene Ionesco and "Wanda's Visit" by Christopher Durang — focus on the absurdity of love. Presented by the Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium. Runs through Feb. 28, $15, Beau Monde, 624 S. 6th St., 215-592-0656.
• PHILADELPHIA YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS PRESENTS Philadelphia high school students Marquis Herrin and Nia Davis, winners of the Young Playwrights' Annual Playwriting Festival, present two emotionally charged semi-autobiographical plays showing young people struggling to overcome violence in the city. Recommended for audiences 13 and up. Runs through March 1, $12-$15, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street, 215-985-0420.
• 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.
• THE SCENE This comedy follows a group of New Yorkers (including a starlet bombshell with a thing for men and money) as they try to make it in showbiz. Directed by Jeremy Cohen. Runs through March 23, $28-$62, George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-246-7717.
• 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 earlier, dramatically different lifestyles may not permit a rekindling. Directed by Dan Kern. Now extended due to popular demand. Runs through March 2, $15-$104, Lantern Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-829-9002.
• 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.
• WITTENBERG 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.
• 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

• KAT'A KABANOVA Set in a small village in Russia, this opera is about a married woman whose life is dominated by her distant husband and emotionally abusive mother-in-law. After a brief affair, there are tragic consequences. Sung in Czech with English supertitles. Runs through March 1, $28-$48, AVA Helen Corning Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St., 215-735-1685.

  cabaret

• WHEREVER LOVE TAKES ME Anna Bergman's solo show includes selections from Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and Ernesto DiCurtis. Runs through Feb. 24, $35-$45, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.