Performing Arts

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

dance

• CARMEN The St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre performs this story of a Spanish girl who seduces men with her beauty and dancing. Set to the music of Georges Bizet's opera. Thu, March 20, 7:30pm, $30-$40, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.
• ESCAPE VELOCITY DANCE CO. Ursinus' dance company performs pieces choreographed and produced by students. Runs through March 28, $2-$5, Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center, Ursinus College, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville, 610-409-3000.
• NIMBUS DANCE WORKS This showcase of expressive and athletic performances features two works choreographed by Nimbus artistic director Samuel Pott and two world premieres from emerging choreographers Michelle de Fremery and Jean Paul. Sat, March 22, 8pm, $20, Passage Theatre Co., E. Front & Montgomery sts., Trenton, NJ, 609- 392-0766.
• PARAPHRASE/NEXUS Ashley Anderson, Jung-eun Kim and Danielle Paloumpis perform in response to the current exhibition now at NEXUS Gallery,"8 Artists, 8 Viewpoints: Recent Fiber Grads From Philadelphia." Wed, March 26, 8pm, FREE , Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St., 215-235-3405.
• THE RASHOMON EFFECT Perpetual Mvmt>Snd hosts the latest installment of this ongoing performance series. Artists include Allison Lorenzen, Rebecca Patek, Jil Stifel, Emily Sweeney, Bilwa, Mikronesia, Jeb Lewis, Martha Savery and Blaine Siegel. Sat, March 22, 8pm, $5, Mascher Space Cooperative, 155 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 530-906-5073.
• RIGHT TO SPRING Contemporary dance company BalletX continues presents this ballet inspired by winter giving way to spring. Choreographed by co-artistic director Matthew Neenan. Runs through March 30, $20-$25, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-546-STAGE.
• SOLASANITY This music and dance collaboration features performances by Rebecca Patek, Liza Clark, Zornitsa Stoyanova and Allison Lorenzen accompanied by marimba, tabla, percussion and guitar. Fri, March 21, 8pm, $5-$10, Mascher Space Cooperative, 155 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 530-906-5073.

  theater

• ANNIE The adorable red-headed orphan is back to let a whole new generation know that the sun'll come up tomorrow. Part of the Cadillac Broadway Series. Runs through March 23, $25-$100, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.
• BLUE LIAS, OR THE FISH LIZARD'S WHORE In celebration of Woman's History Month, Claudia Stevens performs this one-woman play about the clash of religion, science, class and gender during the 19th century for the famed fossil collector Mary Anning. Sat, March 22, 7:30pm, FREE , Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center, Ursinus College, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville, 610-409-3000.
• BROTHERS-IN-LAW Related only by marriage and sharing no common interests, Fred and Richard face off on the afternoon of their mother-in-law's funeral in this comedy. Directed by Harriet Power. Runs through April 6, $30-$40, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-654-0200.
• THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY This musical celebration of the legendary rocker includes all of his greatest hits and chronicles his rise to stardom. Runs through March 30, $25-$39, the Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.
• COPENHAGEN This drama by Michael Frayn focuses on the meeting between physicists Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg during the Nazi occupation. Runs through March 30, $10-$36, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.
• GETTING OUT Simpatico Theatre Project presents this 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, the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., simpaticotheatre.org.
• 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. Runs through March 23, $18-$20, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-563-7500, nicepeopletheatre.org.
• THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Oscar Wilde's satire is about two friends who discover themselves in a ridiculous situation after their fiancées learn they are coincidentally engaged to the same man. Runs through April 16, $17-$30, the Ritz Theatre Co., 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon, NJ, 856-858-5230.
• JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR After a year's hiatus, the Keswick revives their Easter-weekend performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical about Jesus' relationship with Judas Iscariot in the last few weeks of his life. Runs through March 22, $19.50-$31.50, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. & Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650.
• THE LONESOME WEST Martin McDonogh's comedy is about two unreconcilable brothers living in the same dreary cottage in rural Ireland. This play spoofs "The Old Couple" with Irish cynicism, wit and physical comedy. Runs through April 13, $20, Centre Theatre, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown, 610-279-1013.
• MOM, I'M GAY This musical comedy is about a mother's frantic attempts to find a husband for her lesbian daughter. Written and directed by Wilhemina A. Paulin. Runs through March 22, $30, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.
• THE ODD COUPLE Neil Simon's comedy tells the story of the neurotic Felix and his new roommate, the disorganized and sloppy Oscar. Runs through April 27, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-547-3550.
• PHILLY PHINALE! The Studio Series closes with five one-act plays: David Ives' "The Philadelphia," David Mamet's "The Blue House," Gertrude Stein's "Lifting Belly," Nicky Silver's "Roger and Miriam" and Albert Innaurato's "Urlicht." Runs through March 30, pay what you can, Gershman Hall, University of the Arts, 401 S. Broad St., 215-569-8080.
• THE PIANO LESSON August Wilson's drama tells the story of siblings in 1936 Pittsburgh who are debating the future of a treasured heirloom: the piano 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.
• POUNDING NAILS IN THE FLOOR WITH MY FOREHEAD Madhouse Theater Co. presents these humorous monologues written by author and actor Eric Bogosian. Runs through March 30, $15-$20, Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St., 215-928-8118.
• QUARTET Four aging former opera stars plan a comeback of sorts in this play by Ronald Harwood. But as they rehearse the classic quartet from "Rigoletto," drama ensues. Runs through April 13, $28, Walnut Street Theatre — Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-952-9560.
• ROMEO AND JULIET This newly staged production re-examines those star-crossed lovers who must choose between love and family. Directed by Carmen Khan. Runs through May 18, $10-$28, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom St., 215-496-8001.
• RUMORS The Pennsylvania Players present Neil Simon's farce about four couples trying to conceal an attempted suicide, solve the problem of a vanished wife, fool the police and attend their friend's party. Runs through March 22, $7-$10, Harold Prince Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-6791.
• THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL This musical about love, deception and intrigue is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. Runs through March 22, $10-$12, West Chester and Barley Sheaf Playhouse, 810 N. Whitford Rd., Lionville, 610-363-7075.
• 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.
• A SENSE OF WONDER Passage Theatre presents this performance by Kaiulani Lee based on the controversial life of environmentalist Rachel Carson, whose book, "Silent Spring," is credited for starting the modern environmental movement. Runs through March 28, $10-$40, Mill Hill Playhouse, Front & Montgomery sts., Trenton, NJ, 609-392-0318.
• SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION This comedy follows the story of a young black man who shows up at the door of a wealthy New York couple's home wearing a bloody shirt and claiming to be the son of Sidney Poitier. Directed by Renee Dobson. Runs through March 22, $15, Allens Lane Theater, Allens Lane & McCallum St., 215-248-0546.
• 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., 215-552-8773.
• STEEL MAGNOLIAS This dramatic comedy follows the lives and loves of 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.
• THIRD Wendy Wasserstein drama chronicles the painful decisions a professor at an elite college must make when confronted with a plagarism scandal. Runs through April 20, $10-$58, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., 215-985-0420.
• TOTALLY AWESOME HAMLET Totally Awesome Kids, a program for people with cognitive disabilities, performs this piece adapted from Shakespeare by Jane McFadden specifically for the group. Runs through March 24, 7:30pm, FREE , Delaware Theatre Co., 200 Water St., Wilmington, DE, 302-594-1100.
• TWELFTH NIGHT Shakespeare's romantic comedy includes mistaken identity, cross-dressing ladies, love triangles and an assortment of clowns, duels and fools getting drunk, playing pranks and getting some. Runs through March 22, $9, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, 439 Ashbourne Rd., Cheltenham, 888-715-5589.
• WAIT UNTIL DARK This deadly game of cat and mouse follows a blind housewife and the conniving ex-convicts who struggle to steal from her a mysterious doll which holds, sewn inside, several grams of heroin. Runs through March 29, $15-$18, The Grand Theatre, 405 Main St., Williamstown, NJ, 856-728-2120.
• 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.

  cabaret

• CABINET OF CURIOSITIES This evening of cabaret is hosted by the Absinthe Drinkers and features Stephen Bluhm, Damon Hamilton, Gina Izzo and DJ Dave Ghoul. Thu, March 20, 8pm-mid., $10, L'Etage, 6th & Bainbridge sts., 215-592-0656.
• I GOT A SUNDAY KIND OF SHOW Shake off your Peeps hangover at the debut of Victor Rodriguez's monthly Sunday post-brunch series. Genres include cabaret, jazz, Broadway and more. Sun, March 23, 3-4:30pm, $20, Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.
• LOOKING FOR THE HEART OF SATURDAY NIGHT Two-time Tony winner James Naughton performs songs by Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Tom Waits and Randy Newman. Sat, March 22, 9:30pm, $48-$68, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, One Center St., Newark, NJ, 888-GO-NJPAC.