Performing Arts

Published: March 26, 2008

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

dance

BLOOD CHERRIES This solo piece written and performed by Dawn Akemi Saito employs Butoh dance, music, visual imagery and text to trace the journey of a daughter trying to find her dying father's spirit. Sat, March 29, 8pm, $20, Passage Theatre Co., E. Front & Montgomery sts., Trenton, NJ, 609- 392-0766.

ESCAPE VELOCITY DANCE CO. Ursinus' dance company performs pieces choreographed and produced by students. Runs through March 28, 7:30pm, $2-$5, Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center, Ursinus College, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville, 610-409-3000.

IN MEMORY OF A DEATH TRAP Pink Hair Affair invites you into an old row home to experience its crumbling memories and fresh coats of paint. Seating is limited, as the performance is intended for an audience of eight. Directed by Anne MacGillivray Wilson. Wed-Sat, April 2-5, 7 & 9pm; Sun, April 6, 6 & 8pm, $10, 2133 Christian St., pinkhairaffair.blogspot.com.

OPUS 1 The contemporary dance company presents an eclectic mix of ballet, jazz and modern, including "A Place to Be" (choreographed by folk artist and poet Nick Drake) and "Amassing," which is set to the music of Arvo Part. Runs through March 30, $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.

RIGHT TO SPRING BalletX continues presents this contemporary ballet embodying 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.

SCUBA '08 This evening includes excerpts from the mixed-media socio-political commentary suite of dances "The Revenge of Huitlacoche" by Jose Navarrete, as well as two solo performances: "Suspicion Of Modeling" and "Who Are You Steven." Sat, March 29, 8pm, $13-$15, Conwell Dance Theater, Temple University, 5th Floor, Broad St. & Montgomery Ave., 215-204-8710.

theater

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, 2nd Stage @ the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., simpaticotheatre.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.

INTO THE WOODS With tunes and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this musical explores the darker side of fairy tale characters such as Cinderella, Rapunzel and the Wicked Witch. Runs through April 6, $8-$16, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446.

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.

NOISES OFF While a group of actors put on a dreadful sex comedy, the audience gets to witness the real scandals that take place behind the scenes in this farce of a play within a play. Runs through April 6, $12-$15, Swope Hall Auditorium, West Chester University, University Ave., West Chester, 610-436-2739.

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.

OTHELLO In Shakespeare's tragedy, Venetian general Othello is in love with the beautiful Desdemona, but the evil Iago has other plans. Directed by Charles McMahon. Runs through April 27, $15-$104, Lantern Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-829-9002.

PHILLY PHINALE! The Studio Series celebrating Philadelphia 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, $5 suggested donation, 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 local 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.

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.

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.

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.

TALES FROM THE BEATBOX While combining hip-hop, vocal percussion and monologue, this performance tells the story of Yuri Lane from his early adventures as a child actor in San Francisco. Runs through March 30, 3pm, $20, Passage Theatre Co., E. Front & Montgomery sts., Trenton, NJ, 609- 392-0766.

THIRD Wendy Wasserstein's 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.

cabaret

UNBUCKLED, UNCENSORED Regie Cabico, a queer Filipino artist, presents this one-man show about his Catholic family and his dreams of starring in a Broadway musical. Fri-Sat, March 28-29, 8pm, $12, Asian Arts Initiative, 12019-1223 Vine St., 215-557-0455.