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. $34-$40.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Simon Reade's stage adaptation of the story by Lewis Carroll. Closes 1/4. Sedgwick Theatre, 7137 Germantown Ave.; 215-987-4450. quintessencetheatre.org. $27-$34; 25 seniors; $15 students.

Bad Jews Comedy by Joshua Harmon. Philadelphia premiere. Closes 12/28. Walnut Street Theatre - Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. $30-$45.

Beauty and the Beast From the team that created Arden's "Cinderella" comes a bold new telling of this tale. Closes 2/1. Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2d St.; 215-922-1122. $18-$36.

Cape May Stage: Merry Melodies - A Holiday Celebration Show featuring songs & carols. Closes 12/31. Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank & Lafayette Sts., Cape May; 609-884-1341. $35; $30 seniors; $15 students.

Clever Dick A zany send-up of the British murder-at-the-manor whodunit. Closes 12/14. Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-9913. $17 advance; $20 day of show.

Great Expectations Based on the novel by Charles Dickens. Closes 12/14. Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2d St.; 215-922-1122. $36-$50.

Les Miserables A reformed criminal tries to avoid an obsessed police inspector while raising a child who was left in his care. Closes 1/11. Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. $42; $35 seniors; $25 children 12 and under.

Mary Poppins Theatrical adaptation of the Disney movie. Closes 1/4. Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. $10-$95.

Mummenschanz Pantomime troupe that uses masks & props to create a bizarre, expressive & comic world. Closes 12/14. Annenberg Center - Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; Box Office: 215-893-3900. www.mummenschanz.com. $30-$75.

Plaid Tidings Forever Plaid's holiday show. Closes 12/28. Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121. $25-$59.50.

QED Play based on the life & writings of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman. Closes 12/14. Lantern Theater at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow Sts.; 215-829-0395. $30-$39.

Renaissance Music Theatre: Kiss Me, Kate Show-within-a-show exploring conflicts & romantic entanglements among actors in a touring production of "Taming of the Shrew." Closes 12/13. Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-271-0864. www.renaissancemusictheatre.com. $30; $23-$30 seniors.

The Dumpsta Players: Dynasty Realness Satirical take on the '80s soap opera "Dynasty" that also mocks trashy pop songs of the era. Bob & Barbara's Lounge, 1509 South St. www.dumpastaplayers.org. $1.99. 12/17. 11 pm.

Winter Musicale Carols, classics & seasonal tunes by the BRT Band & special guests. Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-785-0100. $35; $10 students.

Annie, Jr.

Shortened version of the musical about the adventures of a spirited red-haired orphan. Closes 12/28. Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. $15; $12 children.

Enchantment Theatre Company: The Snow Queen A girl embarks on a quest to find her missing friend, who was spirited away by a lonely queen. Closes 1/4. University of the Arts - Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St.; 215-496-9160. enchantmenttheatre.org. $16-$50.

Family Stages: The Snow Queen A girl embarks on a quest to find her missing friend, who was spirited away by a lonely queen. Closes 12/27. Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; 215-886-9341. www.familystages.org. $12; $10 seniors and grandparents; free under 3.

Firebird Theatre's Holiday Revue: A Fairytale Christmas Carol Firebird participants & guest artists perform tunes & a short "Christmas Carol"-themed play. Closes 12/13. Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. www.firebirdtheatre.net.

Storybook Musical Theatre: Cinderella An original musical about a girl who has two selfish stepsisters, a mean stepmother & nothing to wear to the ball. Closes 1/17. Gratz College, 7605 Old York Rd., Elkins Park; 215-659-8550. www.storybookmusical.org. $14; $12 children.

Actors' NET of Bucks County: Cheaper By the Dozen

Classic comedy. Closes 12/21. Morrisville Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville; 215-295-3694. 0. $20; $17 seniors; $10 under 12.

Annie Hit musical based on the comic strip. Closes 12/20. Haddonfield Plays & Players, 957 E. Atlantic Ave., Haddonfield; 856-429-8139. $20.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play This holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s broadcast. Closes 12/14. The Grand Theatre, 405 S. Main St., Williamstown; 856-728-2120. $22-$25.

Luke Allen Productions: One Evening at St. Lucia Takes place at an experimental women's prison supervised by the Sisters of the St. Lucia convent in collaboration with the Pennsylvania state prison system. St. Lucy (Lucia), through various stages of Christian doctrine, is the patron saint of sight. Usually depicted carrying a dish of eyes; this work honors her legacy for justice before serving as martyr and having her eyes gouged. The incarcerated women at St. Lucia's have been convicted of crimes related to drug and/or alcohol abuse. Given an opportunity for a second chance, the women venture on new journeys to successful participation in this experimental program but it doesn't come without twists and turns. The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.; Email: lallen6500@gmail.com. $20; $15 seniors and students. 12/13. 7 pm.

The Sound of Music Rodgers & Hammerstein musical about a young novice who takes a job as governess for the children of a widowed military man. Closes 12/14. Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown; 610-970-1199. $17-$27.

Bay-Atlantic Symphony: Holiday Cheer

Works by Bach, Pachelbel & Strauss, plus Hanukkah songs & Christmas carols. Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, 101 Vera King Farris Dr., Galloway; 609-652-9000. bayatlanticsymphony.org. $32. 12/13. 2 pm.

Christmas Posada Mexican traditional celebration featuring festive decor & piano music. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. Free. 12/18. 5 pm.

Daniel Carter/Will Arvo Duo Musical performance. House Gallery 1816, 1816 Frankford Ave. $8-$10. 12/13. 8 pm.

LeasMusiCast Filmed concerts by artists & ensembles, presented on a large projection screen. Medford Leas Community Center, 1 Medford Leas Way, Medford. Donation suggested: $5. 12/13.

PCMS Concert: Borromeo Quartet With Kim Kashkashian, Violist Works by Schubert & Dvorak. American Philosophical Society, 427 Chestnut St.; 215-569-8080. www.pcmsconcerts.org. $24; $10 students. 12/14. 3 pm.

PCMS Concert: Gamut Bach Ensemble 12 artists come together to demonstrate the insights of Bach in an evening of "dialogue" cantatas. St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1625 Locust St.; 215-569-8080. www.pcmsconcerts.org. $24; $10 students. 12/17. 8 pm.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Glorious Sound of Christmas Concert of seasonal favorites & original arrangements conducted by Bramwell Tovey. W/the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. www.philorch.org. $50-$120. 12/18.

The Capital Ringers Auditioned community handbell ensemble based in Dover. Grace Church, 350 McKee Rd., Dover, Del. www.capitalringers.org. 12/14. 7 pm.

PCMS presents "Anonymous 4" Women's vocal quartet specializing in performance of medieval chant and polyphony. Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut St.; 215-569-8080. $24; $10 students. 12/12. 8 pm.

Philadelphia Orchestra presents "Gershwin and Bernstein" Conductor Bramwell Tovey leads the orchestra in a concert of works by Gershwin, Bernstein and Britten, as well as one of Tovey's own works. Featured soloists will include trumpeter Alison Balsom. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. $30-$105. 12/12, 12/13.

A Holiday Celebration: Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Bravo Brass & Strath Haven HS Chorus

"Christmas Cantata," "Gloria" Strath Haven High School, 205 S. Providence Rd., Wallingford. Free. 12/16. 7:30 pm.

A Soulful Christmas The J. Donald Dumpson Singers & community choirs perform favorites, gospel selections & spirituals. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. $25-$45. 12/16. 7:30 pm.

Amici Opera: Linda di Chamounix 3-act Donizetti opera w/libretto by Gaetano Rossi. United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.; 215-224-0257. $20. 12/14.

Amici Opera: Lucrezia Borgia 2-act melodramatic opera by Donizetti, w/a libretto by Felice Romani. United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.; 215-224-0257. $20. 12/13.

Boheme Opera NJ Features Delphi Carolers Chorus master Brittany Montoro will make an appearance. Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Mercerville; 609-586-0616. $6. 12/12. 7 pm.

Christmas With the Philadelphia Singers Traditional candlelight procession, carols, holiday-inspired works & an audience carol-sing. Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter & Paul, 18th St.; 215-751-9494. www.philadelphiasingers.org/. $10-$40 plus donation of nonperishable food items. 12/13, 12/14.

Delaware Choral Society: A Christmas Rose 80-voice choir, 40-voice children's ensemble, soloists & musicians perform seasonal selections. Schwartz Center for the Arts, 226 S. State St., Dover; 800-778-5078. www.delawarechoralsociety.org. $25; $22 seniors; $12 children. 12/14. 4 pm.

Gloucester County Children's Choir Under direction of Sylvia Richardson, the 22d annual Winter Concert features seasonal selections along with a performance by saxophonist Ryan Bates. First Presbyterian Church of Pitman, 305 S. Broadway, Pitman; 856-589-1050. gccchoir.com. Free. 12/14. 4 pm.

Greater South Jersey Chorus Holiday Traditions Dr. Jason Bishop directs a 90-member chorus. Unitarian Universalist Church, 401 N. Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill. $20; 14 and under free with adult. 12/12. 8 pm. Also St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 3 Lord Pl., Marlton. $20; 14 and under free with adult. 12/14. 5 pm.

Harmony Show Choir Audition-only group of 52 high school age performers. Mount Laurel Library, 100 Walt Whitman Ave., Mount Laurel. Free. 12/14. 2 pm.

Media Chamber Chorale Eclectic ensemble presents a concert of works from the '20s through '50s. Spotlight Theatre at Swarthmore United Methodist Church, 129 Park Ave., Swarthmore. www.mediachamberchorale.org. $15; $12 seniors; $10 students in advance. $2 more each at the door. 12/13. 3 pm. Also Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Rd., Media. $15; $12 seniors; $10 students in advance. $2 more each at the door. 12/14. 3 pm.

Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia: A Feast of Carols Classic & contemporary holiday songs w/the Mendelssohn Brass & organist Michael Stairs. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave. www.mcchorus.org. $28-$38 advance; $30-$40 day of show. 12/13. 5 pm.

Music at Monica's: The Choir of St. Monica's Parish - Lessons & Carols for Advent Choral performance of religious holiday music. Church of St. Monica, 635 First Ave., Berwyn. 12/14. 3 pm.

Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra Audition Call Auditions being held for spring production of "Kiss Me Kate." Stage One, 101 Plush Mills Rd., Wallingford. www.rvco.org/. 12/14, 12/16.

Shades of Harmony Women's barbershop chorus. Pfeiffer Community Center, 301 Blue Bell Rd., Williamstown. www.shadesofharmony.org. $10; $8 seniors & under 12. 12/13. 7 pm.

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.; 215-735-6760. Free. To 1/1.

Atlantic City Ballet: The Nutcracker

Tale of a young girl & her magical doll. W/music by Tchaikovsky. Stockton Performing Arts Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway; 609-652-9000.

» READ MORE: www.acballet.org

. $32; $12 children. 12/12-13.

Band of Artists: Spectrum Order Disorder Artists combine to perform different expressions of art forms. Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Rd., Glenside; bandofartists.org. 12/12-18.

Brandywine Ballet Company: The Nutcracker Holiday tale of a girl & her magical doll. West Chester University - Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Phillips Memorial Bldg., West Chester; www.brandywineballet.org. $10-$42. 12/12-14, 12/18.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze Over 30 performers dressed as living ornaments present feats of athleticism. The DuPont Theatre, 1007 N. Market St., Wilmington; 1-800-338-0881. www.cirqueproductions.com. $20-$79. 12/12-14.

Dancefusion: Hansel & Gretel Production of the Grimm fairy tale. New Freedom Theatre, 1346 N. Broad St.; 215-222-7633. $25-$35; $20 children and students. 12/13.

Holiday Doo-Wop Dance Party Theresa Nance brings back good times with music and friends. Willingboro Public Library, 220 Willingboro Pkwy., Willingboro; registration required: 609-877-6668. Free. 12/13. 2 pm.

Israeli Dancing Informal weekly sessions. Germantown Jewish Centre, 400 W. Ellet St.; 215-844-1507 Ext 19. $5. 12/14.

Pages to Pirouettes: Selections From The Nutcracker From the holiday ballet. Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5372. Free. 12/14. 2 pm.

Philadanco presents "Risky Business" Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. $29-$46. 12/12-14.

Pennsylvania Ballet presents "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" The tale of a girl and her magical doll is brought to life. Created by Balanchine in 1954. Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Sts.; Box Office: 215-893-1999. $30-$125. To 12/29.