Performing Arts

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

dance

• HISTORIC DANCE RECONSTRUCTION Dancefusion kicks off its 20th season with José Limon and Pauline Koner's duet, "Barren Sceptre," as well as many other repertory works. Runs through March 8, $12-$22, Iron Gate Theater, 3700 Chestnut St., 215-222-7633.
• KORESH DANCE CO. In celebration of its15th season, the group premieres two new works by artistic director Ronen Koresh as well as "Things I Told Nobody" by guest choreographer Itzik Galili. Runs through March 9, $20-$30, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., 215-985-0420.
• MESSIAH The Pennsylvania Ballet Co. brings Handel's score to life. Choreographed by Robert Weiss, ths piece blends old world atmosphere with contemporary movement and imagery. Runs through March 9, $22-$124, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.
• NIKOLAIS DANCE THEATRE Utah-based Ririe-Woodbury Dance Co. presents this psychedelic program in celebration of choreographer Alwin Nikolais. Pieces include "Tent," "Noumenon Mobilus" and "Liturgies." Runs through March 8, $32-$46, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-6791.
• PHILADELPHIA DANCE PROJECTS Dancer Kathleen Hermesdorf and musician Albert Mathias will perform their own work along with new performances created in collaboration with Philly-based group BoanDanz Action. Sat, March 8, 7:30pm, $5-$10, the Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St., 215-546-2552.
• STORIES FROM THE CITY AT NIGHT Miro Dance Theatre's monthly open studio returns with an exploration of dance, video and visual art set to the music of composer Pete M. Wyer. Thu, March 13, 6:30pm-mid., FREE , Girard College, 2101 S. College Ave., 215-787-2600.

  theater

• 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.
• GETTING OUT Simpatico Theatre Project presents thus drama about a prostitute who, after being released from jail for manslaughter, must figure out how to go about her new life. Directed by Carol Laratonda. Runs through March 30, $12, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.
• 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.
• HAVE A NICE LIFE This musical comedy follows seven characters during their weekly group therapy session. Directed by Bill Felty. Runs through March 23, $18-$20, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-563-7500, nicepeopletheatre.org.
• HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE This drama by Paula Vogel follows the destructive relationship between a young girl and her too-close uncle, who wants to teach her much more than how to parallelpark. Runs through March 8, $10, Players Club of Swarthmore, Rt. 320 & Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, 610-328-4271.
• AN IMPERFECT SONNET The Cardboard Box Collective presents this play by David Strattan White about a man in love with four generations of women in one family. Directed by Sean Christopher Lewis. Runs through March 15, $15, Pageant, 607 Bainbridge St., 215-925-1535.
• THE LOVE PROJECT This multidisciplinary production is a little bit house party and a little bit talk show with a healthy dose of cabaret. Starring Rhodessa Jones and Idris Ackamoor and written by Pearl Cleage and Zaron Burnett. Runs through March 8, $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.
• MARY'S WEDDING In Stephen Massicotte's romance, young lovers Charlie and Mary are interrupted by Charlie's call to duty in World War I. Directed by Anne Marie Cammarato. Runs through March 16, $31-$220.50, Delaware Theatre Co., 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL This celebration of hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges and "The Change" follows four women at a Bloomingdale's lingerie sale. Runs through March 16, $45, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.
• MINOR DEMONS In this mystery by Bruce Graham, a disillusioned lawyer returns home to small-town Pennsylvania to find some peace of mind. When his best friend from childhood, now a not very competent police chief, starts to investigate a gruesome murder, the two are at odds. Directed by Paul Muscarella. Runs through March 16, $12, Old Academy Players, 3544 Indian Queen Lane, 215-843-1109.
• MR. BAILEY'S MINDER Written by Debra Oswald, this story follows Mr. Bailey, whose binge-drinking and self-loathing threatens to destroy his gig as a famous 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 YES I WILL This comedy by Deb Margolin follows a woman who, while under anesthesia, reveals her true self to the doctors about to operate on her. Unfortunately, she doesn't remember a thing and can't benefit from her own confession session. Runs through March 16, $15-$20, The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
• THE ODYSSEY This fast-paced, spoken-word performance puts a new spin on Odysseus' adventures and battles on the high seas as he struggles to return home. Runs through March 15, $10-$22, Curio Theatre Co., 815 S. 48th St., 215-525-1350.
• PAJAMA GAME In this musical, labor troubles in a pajama factory lead to love. Bring new and lightly used pajamas to the performance to be donated to the Methodist Home for Children in Wynnefield. Runs through March 8, $20-$25, Jewish Community Center-Bnai Aaron, 560 Mill Rd., Havertown, 215-832-0577.
• THE PIANO LESSON August Wilson's drama chronicles the experiences of siblings in 1936 Pittsburgh who are haunted by memories of their past and debating the future of a treasured heirloom: the paino carved by their grandfather, an enslaved plantation carpenter. Directed by Walter Dallas. Runs through April 6, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• QUARTET Four aging former opera stars plan a comeback in this play by Ronald Harwood. But as they rehearse the classic quartet from Rigoletto, drama ensues. Directed by Christopher Sarnowski. Runs through March 15, $15, Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave., 215-247-8881.
• THE SCENE This comedy by Theresa Rebeck follows a group of New Yorkers trying to make it big, including a young startlet with a thing for men and money. Directed by Jeremy Cohen. Runs through March 23, $28-$62, George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ, 732-246-7717.
• SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN Reverend Oglethorpe has invited the Sanders Family Singers to provide an uplifting evening in 1938 North Carolina, but they prefer some more upbeat vintage pop. Directed by Peter Reynolds. Runs through April 13, $10-$30, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
• SOMETHING CLOUDY SOMETHING CLEAR One of Tennessee Williams' last plays is a dark glimpse of an aging man recalling past loves and enemies, as well as his seduction of a young male dancer. Directed by Brenna Geffers. Runs through March 22, $15-$28, the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
• STEEL MAGNOLIAS This dramatic comedy follows six ladies who find companionship and conversation in the beauty parlor of a small Louisiana town. Runs through March 29, $10, Players Club of Swarthmore, Rt. 320 & Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, 610-328-4271.
• TRES VIDAS This chamber music theatrical work uses Latin American folk music and pieces by Argentine, Mexican and Cuban composers to document the lives of three legendary Latin American woman: Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Salvadorian activist Rufina Amaya and Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni. Fri, March 7, 8pm, $20, Van Pelt Auditorium, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. & the Parkway, 215-763-8100.
• 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). Directed by J.R. Sullivan. Runs through March 23, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
• YING TONG — A WALK WITH THE GOONS This 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

• FRA DIAVOLO Auber's operatic romantic comedy features a gentleman bandit, an innkeeper's daughter and her impoverished lover. Sung in Italian wth supertitles. Runs through March 8, $15-$25, Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq., 215-735-3456.
• TEMPESTA DI MARE: NO STRINGS ATTACHED The Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra and the Mock Turtle Marionette Theater present this musical drama exploring love and death, complete with life-size puppets. Runs through March 9, $10-$60, Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-735-0630.

  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. Every second Thu, 9pm, $10, L'Etage, 6th & Bainbridge sts., 215-592-0656.