Performance and classical music listings

1812 Productions: This Is The Week That Is

Annual show poking fun at local & national current events. Closes 12/31. Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Pl.; 215-592-9560. 1812productions.org. $20-$36.

A Christmas Carol An adaptation faithful to the story by Charles Dickens, with cherished carols. Closes 12/24. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $22-$29; $19-$26 seniors; $10 students under 18.

A Christmas Carol Holiday tale. Closes 12/24. Princeton University - McCarter Theatre, 91 University Pl., Princeton; 609-258-2787. $20-$76.

Cape May Stage: This Wonderful Life Stage adaptation of the film 'It's a Wonderful Life.' Closes 12/31. Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank & Lafayette Sts., Cape May; Box Office: 609-884-1341. $35-$50; $30-$50 seniors; $12.50-$50 students.

Curio Theatre Company: Accidental Death of an Anarchist Slapstick comedy about police officers covering up a crime & a particularly persistent reporter. Closes 1/7. Curio Theatre Company, 4740 Baltimore Av. www.curiotheatre.org. $15-$20.

Gypsy Musical about a stage mother who has great ambitions for her two daughters. Tovah Feldshuh stars. Closes 1/15. Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-785-0100. $40-$60; $32-$44 military; $20 students 25 and under.

Jack Frost Saves Christmas Play. Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. $12; $10 children.

Laughing All the Way Holiday-themed show of comedy skits & songs. Closes 12/31. Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; Box Office: 215-654-0200. $27-$33.

Motherhood the Musical Playful look at the ups & downs of motherhood. Closes 2/19. Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St.; Reservations required: 215-923-0210. www.motherhoodthemusical.com/. $45.

New City Stage Company: Why Torture Is Wrong & the People Who Love Them A woman awakes from an alcoholic stupor to find she has married a strange man, who may be a terrorist. Closes 1/8. Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St. www.newcitystage.org. $24-$26; $22 students and seniors.

Noel & Gertie The story of the friendship between playwright Noel Coward & actress Gertrude Lawrence. Closes 12/31. Walnut Street Theatre - Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. $30.

Plaid Tidings Holiday-themed version of 'Forever Plaid.' Closes 12/23. Surflight Theatre, Beach & Engleside Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ; 609-492-9477. $31-$49.

Private Lives Romantic comedy by Noel Coward. Closes 12/31. Lantern Theater at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow Sts.; 215-829-0395. $28-$36; $25-$33 seniors; $18-$26 students.

Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class A streetwise Brooklyn nun presents a lesson on cabaret performance. Closes 1/15. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $20.

The Dickens Christmas An actor portrays Dickens giving a public reading of 'A Christmas Carol.' Closes 12/24. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $22-$29; $19-$26 seniors; $10 students under 18.

The King & I Rodgers & Hammerstein musical about the romance between a British governess & the King of Siam. Closes 1/8. Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. $10-$75.

The Sound of Music Musical about a young nun who takes a job as caretaker for a widower's children. Closes 1/15. Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. $54; $47 seniors; $37 children.

The Wizard of Oz: National Tour The adventures of Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow & pals in Oz. Closes 12/28. Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. www.wizardofozontour.com. $20-$85.

Theatre Horizon: Voices of Christmas Festive show featuring music in a variety of genres. Closes 12/31. Montgomery County Cultural Center - Centre Theater, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown; Box Office: 610-283-2230. theatrehorizon.org. $29; $27 seniors; $21 students with ID.

A Christmas Journey

Celebration of both the Santa Claus & Three Kings traditions. Closes 12/30. Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave.; 215-427-9255. $12; $6 children.

A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail Winnie-the-Pooh & friends go in search of Eeyore's missing tail. Closes 12/28. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $11; $9 children.

Charlotte's Web The story of the friendship between a pig & a spider. Closes 1/29. Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2d St.; 215-922-1122. $30-$32; $20-$22 teens; $16-$18 children.

Hershel & the Hanukkah Goblins The tale of some troublemaking goblins & the man who sets out to stop them. Closes 12/31. Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St.; 215-925-9914. $25; $16 children.

Kid Curio and The Improv Avengers Kid-friendly improv. Ongoing. Calvary Center for Culture & Community, 801 S. 48th St; 215-525-1350. www.curiotheatre.org. $5.

Storybook Musical Theatre: Hansel & Gretel Stage adaptation of the fairytale. Closes 12/30. Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Rd., Bryn Athyn; 215-659-8550. www.storybookmusical.org. $14; $11 children.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Chaos ensues when one family's rowdy children take over the church pageant. Closes 12/28. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $11; $9 children.

Treasure Island: A Musical Panto Mother Hawkins & Long John Silver return for the holidays with the rascally rabble aboard Ye Olde Blowharde. Closes 1/8. People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern; 610-644-3500. $35-$45.

Rent: School Edition

Set in the East Village of New York circa 1980s, 'Rent' is about falling in love, finding your voice & living for today. Closes 12/23. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St.; Brown Paper Tickets: 1-800-838-3006. $10; $5 youths 17 & under, college students with ID and seniors.

Deadly Dessert

A crime is committed at a company's holiday party, & it's up to the audience to solve it. Bistro Romano, 120 Lombard St.; Mystery Dinner Theatre Box Office: 215-238-1313. $42.95.

Singing Circle for People Impacted by Cancer

Join other singers led by composer, performer & educator Julia Haines. No talent is necessary, just a willingness to have fun. Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia (formerly the Wellness Community of Philadelphia), 4100 Chamounix Dr.; Reservations required: 215-879-7733. Free.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular 18-minute film of original imagery, music & more, shown on The Comcast Experience video wall. Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Free.

Ceili Dance

Weekly sessions organized by John Shields & Cass Tinney. The Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center), 6815 Emlen St.; 215-843-8051.

Group Motion Friday Night Workshop Improvisational dance workshop with live music. Call 215-387-9895 for more info. Community Education Center (CEC Meeting House), 3500 Lancaster Ave. www.groupmotion.org. $10-$20.

Loca Latin Dance Party Dance lessons, music by DJ Clave, Zumba show, & performances by visiting Latin dance teams. KatManDu, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton; 609-393-7300. $8.

NIA - The Joy of Movement for People Impacted by Cancer Dance, martial arts & healing arts combine in NIA. Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia (formerly the Wellness Community of Philadelphia), 4100 Chamounix Dr.; Reservations required: 215-879-7733. Free.

Pennsylvania Ballet: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker Tale of a girl and her magical doll is brought to life. Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Sts.; Box Office: 215-893-1999. www.paballet.org. $20-$140.

Eddie Bruce

Cabaret musician with over 25 years experience. SugarHouse Casino, 1001 N. Delaware Ave. Free.