Daily News picks for what to see and do the weekend of 2/24-2/26

THEATER

AGAIN AND AGAIN

At the end of Eugene Ionesco's "The Bald Soprano," a one-hour absurdist comedy about the ridiculous nature of British social conventions and language, the play dictates that the actors start again from the beginning. The reliably-wacky Brat Productions - which staged a fantastically camped-out musical version of "Carrie" last year - takes that prompt literally. Beginning tonight, they'll perform the play for a full 24 hours, with the actors taking nary a break to catch their breath. Each ticket gets you into a two-hour block of the show and allows entry any other time (space permitting). To keep you interested, Brat has scheduled extra entertainment, such as a 2 a.m. Quizzo round and a midnight salon on absurdism hosted by the Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium.

Plays and Players, 1714 Delancey St., 8 tonight, $20 ($224 buys a seat for all 24 hours), 215-735-0630, bratproductions.org.

ART

A STAR IS BORN

The people have spoken! Art space Grizzly Grizzly presents "Totems and Topographies," the first solo exhibition by Pennsylvania Student of Fine Art student Samantha Mitchell, who won a viewer's choice award to mount the exhibit. Mitchell's work focuses on geographical change and the patterns that naturally come from that transformation. While this is her first solo show, Mitchell has shown work at Woodmere Art Museum and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Grizzly Grizzly, 319 N 11th St., 2nd Floor, through tomorrow, grizzlygrizzly.com.

MUSIC

FRONT AND CENTER

It's not the same band that grabbed the rock music realm by the throat in the late 1980s, but hair-whipping lead singer Axl Rose (the sole remaining charter member) is still fronting Guns N' Roses, which tonight plays a rare club date at House of Blues inside Showboat Atlantic City. According to www.setlist.fm, last Sunday's gig at Chicago's House of Blues included a slew of band signatures including "Sweet Child O' Mine," "November Rain," "Welcome To the Jungle" and the cover of Paul McCartney's "Live And Let Die."

Showboat Atlantic City, Boardwalk at Delaware Avenue, 10 tonight, $125 and $75, 609-236-2583, www.hob.com/atlanticcity.

GRAMMY PARTY

While she's now a rising star on the world's stages, Philadelphians can almost claim this year's solo operatic Grammy winner Joyce DiDonato as our own. Reason being, the mezzo-soprano fine-tuned that gorgeous voice as a grad student at Philadelphia's Academy of the Vocal Arts. DiDonato returns with the visiting New York Philharmonic to perform the Berlioz song cycle "Les Nuits d'ete." The orchestra's new musical director, Alan Gilbert, also wields the baton for Mussorgsky's perennial "Pictures at an Exhibition."

Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 tonight, $70-$25, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

FUSION FUN

While Marco Benevento is often tagged an experimental jazz keyboardist when working with Garage A Trois or in the Benevento/Russo duo, his gigs as leader also reveal a lofty melodic and atmospheric prog rock nature. Equally intriguing opener Superhuman Happiness includes members of Antibalas, TV on the Radio and the Dirk Quinn Band.

The Blockley, 38th and Chestnut streets, Sts.,9 tonight, $15, 215-222-1234, www.theblockley.com.

AUSSIE SPRITE

He's never achieved big commercial success. But the underground buzz on Australian-born, romantic-spirited singer-songwriter Ben Lee keeps him high on many a "favorite underdog" list and in the hearts of many a female fan. Opening his show: Jonah Delso, Vance DeRenzis.

The Note, 142 E. Market St., West Chester, 9 tonight, $16 (ages 18 plus), www.thenotewc.com.

HELP!

Can't get enough of that Beatles stuff, even with "Rain" pouring and the Fab Faux returning regularly? This weekend, it's 1964 all over again, with the enduring tribute band of the same name.

1964 The Tribute, Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 8 tonight and tomorrow, $35-$40, 215-572- 7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

REAL BOYS

If you've seen "Jersey Boys," you kinda know how The Hit Men fit in. After severing ties with the original Four Seasons, the frontman took up with a mostly new group of backing musicians billed as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They came roaring back with the likes of "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)" and "Who Loves You." The Hit Men features three Jersey guys from that second Seasons - Don Ciccone, Gary Polici and Lee Shapiro - plus three contemporaries with equally strong history.Kindred street corner harmonizers Kenny Vance and The Planotones share the night.

Broadway Theatre, 43 S. Broadway, Pittman, N.J., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $35-$40, 856-384-8381, www.thebroadwaytheatre.org.

FREEBIE FUN

Philly rockabilly legend Charlie Gracie performs real good for free, but hopes you'll buy his new "For The Love of Charlie" album at this afternoon record store "sock hop."

Main Stream Music, 4444 Main St.reet, Manayunk, 3 p.m. tomorrow, 215-487-7732, www.mainstreetmusicpa.com.

ANNIE GET YOUR GALA

First came Wanda Sykes. Then Justin Guarini. Now, Broadway diva, Tony nominee and Oxford Circle's own Andrea "Annie" McArdle takes the Media Theatre stage for the organization's 16th annual gala. Though it's been 35 years since she wowed the Great White Way as a little Depression-era orphan with a dog named Sandy, the youthful McArdle hasn't tired of reprising the musical hits that launched her career. Expect her to belt out at least a few familiar numbers . . . "Tomorrow." (No, really, tomorrow. Night.)

Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, $125 for gala (includes catered receptions, auction), $75 (for show only), 7-10:30 p.m. tomorrow, 610-891-0100, www.mediatheatre.org.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Let's hear it for the local rock stars. The Tri State Indie music awards, the first of their kind, will celebrate those who bring music to your ears but keep it close to home. Nominations include a "who's who" of the Philly music (and a bit beyond) scene, including Hezekiah Jones (up for indie folk/Americana band of the year), the War on Drugs (indie band/artists of the year) and Kurt Vile (national band/artist of the year). While the awards are fun, it's the lineup of performers that's really exciting, including Creepoid, house band LP Stiles and Kuf Knotz, who will serve as the host. Our one complaint? How were Philly punkers Slutever not nominated for Best Band Name of All Time?

The World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 6 p.m., Sunday, $15, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

FAMILY

BABY, I'M AMAZED

There's a reason he's billed as The Amazing Kreskin, and not The Pretty Good Kreskin, or The So-So Kreskin. For more than 40 years, the mentalist has been wowing audiences worldwide with his you-gotta-see-'em-to-believe-'em bag of mind-reading and magic tricks. If you've never seen him in person, the Sellersville Theater is the place you have to be Sunday. Be prepared to be, well, amazed.

Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, Pa., 7:30 p.m., $25, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

MUMS THE WORD

It's only February, which means it's a long wait until the next Mummers Parade. But if your jones for the sounds of banjos, saxophones and glockenspiels is overwhelming, relief is at hand. Tomorrow, the annual String Band Show of Shows struts through Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. In all, 16 bands, including reigning champions Woodland, will strut their spangled-and-sequined stuff. Besides hearing and seeing the performances, fans will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with the musicians for photos and even "Mummers Strut" lessons.

Boardwalk Hall, Boardwalk at Florida Avenue, 2 p.m. tomorrow, $35, $25, $21 and $18 (ticket family packages available for $80 and $60), 800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com.

DANCE

GO TO RIO

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is the year's biggest party. In Brazil, Carnival is even bigger. Tomorrow evening, the Brazilian community, along with enthusiasts of martial-art-meets-dance-art capoeira and the sweet and refreshing cocktail caipirinha gather tomorrow to enjoy all of the above at a benefit for Bella Vista's Project Capoeira. Admission includes a samba workshop, buffet, prizes for costumes, music and dancing - all night long.

ASCAB Capoeira, 756 S. 11th St., $15, tomorrow, 7 p.m., 215-601-9117, www.phillycapoeira.com.

- Chuck Darrow, Molly Eichel,

Lauren McCutcheon and Jonathan Takiff contributed to this calendar.