Performing Arts

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

dance

• PHYSIOGNOMY OF THE SPIRIT Brigitta Hermann's expressionist choreography centers on an intergenerational dance choir portraying the constant flux between the internal and external worlds. Dancing is set to text, voice, music and a video by Peter Price. Fri-Sun, May 16-18, 8pm, $15-$20, Meetinghouse Theater, 3500 Lancaster Ave., 215-387-1911.

 

 

• PILOBOLUS The modern dance troupe performs pieces including "Pilobolus," a composition which launched the company; "Razor: Mirror," a treatise on the hidden space between sane and insane; and "Rushes," Pilobolus' first collaboration with Israeli choegraphers Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak. Runs through May 17, $29-$46, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-6791.

 

 

• SLIP Six dancers weave in and out of their audience and perform around a sculptural installation during this premiere piece by Moving Research. Choreographed by Meg Foley. Runs through May 18, $10-$15, Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave., 215-387-3434.

  theater

• ANY OTHER NAME The Philadelphia Art Alliance and Shakespeare in Clark Park present this reading of George Brant's play about a failed writer impersonating a failed writer who impersonated Shakespeare. Runs through May 19, 7pm, FREE , Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., 215-545-4302.

 

 

• BEAUTIFUL BOY Written and performed by 1812 Productions cofounder Pete Pryor, this scripted and improvised comedy was inspired by his oldest son, who is autistic. Fact and fiction are weaved together to explore what it is like to have autism and the disconnect between father and son. The piece is in workshop stages, and each performance will be followed by an open discussion. Runs through May 25, $10, Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-592-9560.

 

 

• BUG Theatre Exile presents Tracy Letts' drama about a waitress on the run from her abusive ex-husband. While hiding out in a motel, she begins to fear that more than one man is after her. Directed by Matt Pfeiffer. Runs through May 18, $15-$40, Christ Church, 20 N. American St., 215-922-4462.

 

 

• THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Kicking off the 2008 season, this Shakespeare comedy is about two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, who find themselves in the same city on the same days. Runs through May 18, $10-$69, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ, 973-408-5600.

 

 

• THE DEAD GUY Flashpoint Theatre Co. presents Eric Coble's satire about a jobless, girlfriendless 20-something who becomes the unlikely subject of a reality show. Directed by Michael Osinski. Runs through May 31, $12-$18, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.

 

 

• DEAR WORLD This musical satire by Jerry Herman tells the story of Countess Aurelia, who, after learning that a group of businessmen plan to drill for oil in downtown Paris, organizes her friends to save the neighborhood. Directed by Keith Baker. Runs through May 18, $34-$42, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.

 

 

• EURYDICE Sarah Ruhl's version of the classic myth of Orpheus is retold from the heroine's point of view. On Eurydice's wedding day, a mistake sends her to the underworld and she is united with her father. When Orpheus comes to the rescue, she faces a tough decision. Directed by Blanka Zizka. Runs through June 1, $37-$52, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., 215-546-7824.

 

 

• FRESH FISH: A TEN MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL B. Someday Productions presents the first installment of a series of short play festivals. Pieces include "Alas, Me Bleedin ..." written by Dennis McKieran and directed by Stan Heleva; and "Plant/Flower," written by Liz Zimmerman and directed by Rowen Haigh. Runs through May 18, $12-$15, Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave., 215-427-2822.

 

 

• THE FULL MONTY Out of work, four Buffalo, New York steelworkers decide to lose their pants and make some cash. Runs through June 1, $25-$39, The Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100.

 

 

• A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM This musical farce by Steven Soundheim follows a crafty Roman slave who tries, despite many vaudevillian mishaps, to win his freedom. Runs through May 17, $15, Burlington County Footlighters, 808 Pomona Rd, Cinnaminson, NJ, 856-829-7144.

 

 

• THE HAPPINESS LECTURE Bill Irwin wrote and stars in this evening of vignettes and physical comedy that spoofs theatrical pretensions. The supporting cast features local actors and dancers including Nichole Canuso, Jennifer Childs, Melanie Cotton, Aaron Cromie, Lee Ann Etzold and Makoto Hirano. Runs through June 15, $10-$58, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street, 215-985-0420.

 

 

• IDENTITY THEFT Philly's Writing Man Productions presents this high-energy comedy about the importance of good credit. Directed by Corbin Abernathy. Runs through May 25, $20, Plays and Players Club, 1714 Delancey Street, 3rd floor, writingmanproductions.com.

 

 

• INTO THE WOODS This musical with tunes and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim explores what happens post-happily ever after and the darker side of fairy tale characters such as Cinderella, Rapunzel and the Wicked Witch. Runs through May 17, $8-$15, Barnstormers Theater, Ward & Tome sts., Ridley Park, 610-461-9969.

 

 

• THE IRISH... AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY Frank McCourt's musical tells the story of Irish-American immigrants while celebrating the culture. Runs through June 29, $28, Walnut Street Theatre — Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-952-9560.

 

 

• KAFKA IN THE HEDGEROWS Princeton playwright Nagle Jackson's comedy is based on the history of Hedgerow Theatre and is inspired by its founding in 1923. Runs through May 18, $10-$30, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.

 

 

• KOOZA Cirque du Soleil combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning for this story about The Innocent, a sweet loner who gets caught up in a magical world. Runs through June 15, $27.50-$200, Cirque du Soleil Grand Chapiteau, Broad St. & Washington Ave., 800-678-5440.

 

 

• LES MISERABLES Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, this musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg tells the story of Jean Valjean, a fugitive on the run from Inspector Javert in early 19th-century France. Runs through July 13, $10-$67.50, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-547-3550.

 

 

• OUR TOWN Thorton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama documents the daily lives of close-knit families. The first act (Daily Life) takes place on the Arden's Haas Stage; act two (on Marriage and Love) moves to the Christ Church yard. Runs through June 22, $5-$45, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.

 

 

• PAUL ROBESON The University of the Arts School of Theater Arts presents this one-man bio-drama starring faculty member and actor Johnnie Hobbs Jr. as the artist, athlete and political activist. Runs through May 18, $8-$16, Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St., 215-545-0603.

 

 

• PHEDRE Vanity House Theatre presents this tragedy about a queen who falls in love with her stepson while her husband is away, destroying the ruling house of Athens. Adapted by Paul Schmidt. Runs through May 25, $15, 4373 Theatre, 4373 Main St., 610-955-9282.

 

 

• THE PHILADELPHIA STORY Action Arts Theater Co. presents this revival production of the romantic comedy about a bride-to-be whose plans are complicated by her ex-husband and a handsome journalist. Runs through May 17, 8pm, $9, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, 439 Ashbourne Rd., Cheltenham, 215-379-4660.

 

 

• PROOF This intense drama follows a young woman who, after the death of her mathematician father, struggles to come to terms with his legacy and her own mind. Runs through May 24, $15, Town and Country Players, 4158 York Rd., Buckingham, 215-348-7566.

 

 

• 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.

 

 

• A SEAGULL IN THE HAMPTONS Artistic director and resident playwright Emily Mann adapted this play from Chekhov's tragedy "The Seagull." Her version, set in the Hamptons, is a story about the betrayal of children by their parents. Runs through June 8, $15-$49, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, 609-258-ARTS.

 

 

• SONGS OF A NEW WORLD Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, this new musical review is heavily influenced by a broad range of musical genres, including pop, gospel, jazz and classical. Runs through June 1, $30-$40, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-654-0200.

 

 

• TONY 'N' TINA'S WEDDING The happy couple and their eccentric collection of guests invite you to anything but a quiet, intimate affair. The evening includes dinner, live music and a show. Runs through May 17, $89, Innovation Studio, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

 

 

• WHAT THE BUTLER SAW Curio Theatre Co. presents this comedy about a seductive psychiatrist and his nymphomaniac wife who must hide it all when the state inspector stops by the hospital. Written by Joe Orton. Runs through May 17, $10-$22, Curio Theatre Co., 815 S. 48th St., 215-525-1350.

 

 

• THE WOOLGATHERER William Mastrosimone's debut play follows two eccentric loners — Rose, a shy cashier and Cliff, a rough-edged trucker — who meet and fall in love. Presented by New City Stage Co. Runs through June 1, $14-$18, Walnut Street Theater, Studio 5, 825 Walnut St., newcitystage.org.

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• LET'S FALL IN LOVE: CELEBRATING HAROLD ARLEN Barbara Fasano and her husband, singer and pianist Eric Comstock, join together for a night of songs honoring American composer Harold Arlen, whose popular pieces include "Over the Rainbow." Runs through May 18, $35-$50, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.