Performing Arts

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

dance

• SPOOKY ACTION Miro Dance Theatre members share their preliminary movement explorations in the theory of quantum entanglement and the invisible connections between objects, inspired by their travels to the particle accelerator Fermilab in Chicago. Part of the Open Studio Series. Thu, Oct. 16, 6:30-8:30pm, FREE , Miro Studio at Girard College, 2101 S. College Ave., 215-962-4773.

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• ANNA BELLA EEMA Playwright Lisa D'Amour's vision of mother/daughter love features trailer-park vampires, a girl made of mud, police chases and the occasional musical number. Directed by Lisa Jo Epstein. Runs through Oct. 11, $15-$20, Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St., 215-407-0556.

 

 

• CANDIDE After a few decades, Leonard Bernstein's musical based on Voltaire's philosophical comedy gets dusted off and updated with a new version by John Caird. Directed by Terrence J. Nolan. Runs through Oct. 12, $29-$48, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.

 

 

• THE DOS AND DON'TS OF TIME TRAVEL In this play by Nicholas Wardigo, three women explores time travel — and living in the past — as an alternative to dealing with a painful present of cancer, love and friendship . Directed by John V. Bellomo. Runs through Oct. 19, $12-$20, Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 877-985-2844.

 

 

• GEE'S BEND In tandem with the PMA's exhibit on Southern quiltmaking, the Arden presents Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder's drama about women from the community of Gee's Bend, Alabama. The piece navigates black women's history in the south, threading it together with the town's longstanding quilting tradition. Directed by Eleanor Holdridge. Runs through Dec. 7, $29-$48, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.

 

 

• THE HOTHOUSE One of the early works by Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter, this dark comedy explores a state institution from the point of view of its more-than-slightly-unhinged staff with sharp dialogue and an even sharper message. Directed by Kathryn MacMillan. Runs through Oct. 12, $20-$35, St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-829-0395.

 

 

• LAKE STREET EXTENSION With only three characters sharing the spotlight, Lee Blessing's drama features a vociferous Christian father, his wayward hustler son, the El Salvadoran refugee he's taken in and enough baggage and dirty secrets to fill the stage. Runs through Oct. 18, $21, Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 215-923-0210.

 

 

• MY FAIR LADY Girl meets guy, guy tries to "civilize" girl, guy falls in love, girl falls in love, and they're so very British. The Media Theatre's production will have all the songs and trappings you remember — lov-er-ly. Runs through Nov. 2, $22-$42.50, the Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100

 

 

• THE PERSIANS Author Ellen McLaughlin has produced an English version of Aeschylus' play recounting the downfall of Persia and the birth of Greek democracy. Directed by Jade King Carroll. Runs through Oct. 19, $29-$48, People's Light & Theatre Co., 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-647-1900.

 

 

• ROCK 'N' ROLL The latest gem from Tony favorite Tom Stoppard explores what happens when love, politics and poetry meet in the Eastern Bloc. Director Blanka Zizka worked with fellow Czech native Stoppard on the script, so expect some extra treats. Runs through Oct. 26, $44-$60, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., 215-546-7824.

 

 

• THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Long before Tim Curry in his fiendish fishnets and lipstick, The Rocky Horror Show blasted from the planet Trannsexual in the galaxy Transylvania to the London stage. The long-running show originated frenetic song-and-dance numbers such as "Hot Patootie-Bless My Soul" and "Time Warp," revisited here by Arcadia University student actors. Runs through Oct. 26, $12-$15, Arcadia Theatre, 450 S. Easton Rd., Glenside, 215-572-2112.

 

 

• THE SPITFIRE GRILL A musical by James Valcq, "Spitfire Grill" follows a young traveler's efforts to fit in at a restaurant in a small Wisconsin town. Director Keith Baker's production will feature a folk and bluegrass score. Runs through Oct. 12, $34-$42, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.

 

 

• STATE FAIR Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical is unapologetically, well, a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical: Set at the Iowa state fair, this love story includes numbers such as "It Might As Well Be Spring," "You Never Had it So Good" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing." Indeed. Runs through Oct. 19, $10-$70, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.

 

 

• THIS IS OUR YOUTH In this portrait of Reagan's America, a son who has stolen $15,000 from his father must decide what to do with this money in 48 hours before anyone gets wise to his crime. Directed by Jennifer Pratt. Runs through Oct. 19, $15, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330.

 

 

• THIS IS THE WEEK THAT IS Also known as the "Election Special," 1812 Productions' beloved political satire about the history of the U.S. presidency piece couldn't come at a better time. Runs through Nov. 2, $30-$35, Plays and Players Club, 1714 Delancey Street, 3rd Floor, 215-592-9560.

 

 

• TORCH SONG TRILOGY Three of the earliest Broadway plays to address homosexuality, homophobia, gay adoption and related issues, the trilogy is the masterstroke of Tony winner Harvey Fierstein. As envisioned by Fever Dream Repertory. Runs through Oct. 19, $15-$20, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 267-997-3799.

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• THE MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER CABARET Join Martha — aka Dito van Reigersberg — for an evening of everything from classic Judy to Prince. Every second Thu, 9pm, $10, L'Etage, 624 S. 6th Street, 215-592-0656.

 

 

• SHOWSTOPPERS! The Philly Gay Men's Chorus presents their fall cabaret benefit cabaret complete with dancing. Fri., Oct. 10, 8-10:30pm, $30-$50, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.