Performing Arts

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

dance

• PHILLY'S DANCE COLLECTIVE A slew of local companies join up to present an evening of various styles. With Tara Madson, ContempraDance Theatre, Tapography Dancers, Brandywine Ballet, Eng and Friends Dance Company, Sharp Dance Company, Kate Jordan and Phresh Select. Runs through Nov. 17, 7:30pm, $20-$22, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.

  theater

• ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR Sir Alan Ayckbourn's comedy follows three couples on Christmas Eve, from the highest point to the lowest. God bless us, everyone. Runs through Nov. 30, $29-$36, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.

 

 

• DARK PLAY, OR STORIES FOR BOYS The latest offering from Theatre Exile has an ominous title and an even more ominous plot. Directed by Deborah Block and written by Carlos Murillo. Runs through Dec. 7, $15-$30, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom St., 215-922-4462.

 

 

• A FEW GOOD MEN Before it was a Tom Cruise movie, it was a kickass play. The Players Club presents Aaron Sorkin's well-known Marine legal drama. Directed by Joseph Southard. Runs through Dec. 1, $8-$15, the Players Club of Swarthmore, Fairview Rd., off Rt. 320, Swarthmore, 610-328-4271.

 

 

• 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.

 

 

• HAIRSPRAY Good morning, Baltimore! The classic film that became a musical that became a film again will be gracing the stage at Walnut Street for the next two months. Runs through Jan. 4, $10-$70, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550

 

 

• AN IMPENDING RUPTURE OF THE BELLY Matt Pelfrey's dark comedy makes its Philadelphia debut. Directed by Flashpoint's Michael Osinski, the piece centers on one man's struggle with suburban paranoia — the kind where you worry about nuclear terrorism instead of what's going on in your own home. Runs through Nov. 22, $5-$18, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-665-9720.

 

 

• LE DINDON (AN ABSOLUTE TURKEY) The Parisian father of farce, Georges Fayreau's classic revolves around a number of scandalous affairs and vengeful gambits between a group of backstabbing frienemies. Runs through Nov. 23, $20-$24, Villanova Theatre, Villanova University, Vasey Hall, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, 610-519-7474.

 

 

• MAGNETIC NORTH A recent work by William Donnelly about fidelity (or lack thereof), this drama tells the story of a young husband tempted by an old flame during the breakdown of his marriage. Directed by Bud Martin. Runs through Nov. 16, $20-$30, Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-654-0200.

 

 

• 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 MYSTERY PLAYS Bill Felty's production of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's somewhat unsettling production centers on two people whose lives are touched by ghosts — the scary kind with unfinished business. Runs through Nov. 30, $15-$18, Walnut Street Theater, Studio 5, 825 Walnut St., 215-316-1361.

 

 

• OLEANNA One of David Mamet's masterpieces, this drama centers on the interaction between a male college professor and the female student accusing him of harassment. Director Daniel Student has given a "laboratory" twist to the setting, making the rawness of the acting stand out that much more. Runs through Dec. 7, $20-$25, Plays and Players Club, 1714 Delancey St., 3rd Floor, 215-735-0630.

 

 

• ROCK DOVES Set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland and the "Troubles," the tragicomic latest from Marie Jones pits four Belfasters against their world of violence and patriotism. Runs through Dec. 7, $45, Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-564-2431.

 

 

• SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE This mystery-turned-drama pits Sherlock against his nemesis Moriarty before the backdrop of seedy Victorian London. Directed by Janet Kelsey. Runs through Nov. 16, $22-$30, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.

 

 

• UNUSUAL ACTS OF DEVOTION After Kathy Bates' unfortunate departure last season before the show could run, PTC is once again producing the latest from playwright Terrence McNally. Leonard Foglia directs this meditation on love and fidelity in all its forms. Runs through Nov. 23, $10-$59, Philadelphia Theatre Company, 230 S. 15th St., 215-985-0420

 

 

• THE WAR PARTY Vincent Delaney's work, presented by InterAct and directed by Rebecca Wright, deals with what happens when a conservative Republican woman loses her office. Runs through Nov. 23, $15-$28, InterAct Theater Co., 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8079.

  cabaret

• THE MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER CABARET Join Martha — aka Dito van Reigersberg — for an evening of everything from classic Judy to Prince. Every second Thu. Runs through Dec. 11, 9pm, $10, L'Etage, 624 S. 6th Street, 215-592-0656.