Performance and classical music listings

2009 Live Arts Festival - Welcome to Yuba City

This dance-theater-vaudeville performance explores the dual themes of American wildness and self-imposed loneliness in a world of cowboys, tumbleweeds, and alien sightings. Festival Theater at the Hub, 626 N. 5th St. $20. Closes 9/19.

2009 Philly Fringe - Missed Connections, A Craigslist Fantasia Curio Theatre Company presents this ensemble-based piece created from found text, primarily from Philadelphia Craigslist personal and community forums, to explore the social dichotomy of anonymity and identity on the Internet using only found text. Calvary United Methodist Church, 48th St. & Baltimore Ave.; 215-729-1028. www.crossroadsconcerts.org. $15. Closes 9/19.

2009 Philly Fringe - Renegade Performance Group: Ubu Roi, ou les polanais Alfred Jarry's absurdist work gets a modern makeover in this new adaptation. Six actors play over 20 characters by manipulating masks and employing commedia dell'arte heightened physicality. The cavernous space of the Calvary Center creates an engulfing experience for audience members and performers. Calvary Center for Culture & Community, 801 S. 48th St; 215-724-1702. www.calvary-center.org. $15. Closes 9/19.

2009 Philly Fringe - See What I Wanna See The truth lies in the eye of the beholder in this provocative new musical about crimes of passion and crises of faith. University of the Arts - Caplan Center for the Performing Arts, 211 Broad St., 16th-17th Fl.; 215-717-6322. www.uarts.edu. $20. Closes 9/6.

2009 Philly Fringe - Super Heroes Who Are Super! Plays & Players brings superheroes to life before your very eyes. Word-for-word staged readings of classic comic books featuring some of Philadelphia's finest actors. Will Spider-Man save the day? Will the Hulk smash? Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-735-0630. www.playsandplayers.org. $10. Closes 9/19.

2009 Philly Fringe - Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks This story revolves around the strained relationships between two brothers ironically named Lincoln and Booth. Freedom Theatre, 1346 N. Broad St.; 215-765-2793. www.freedomtheatre.org/. $25. Closes 9/6.

2009 Philly Fringe - Trad the Remount When Thomas reveals that he may have fathered a child 70 years ago he sets off to find him with nothing more than a limp and a prayer. Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-563-4330. www.interacttheatre.org. $15. Closes 9/25.

Chuckleball: Brotherly Glove A musical revue that lampoons the foibles, fumbles, and felonies of today's sports headlines. See impressions and songs mocking everything happening in baseball, football, basketball, hockey, professional wrestling and more. Doc Watson's Pub, 216 S. 11th St.; 215-922-3427. www.myspace.com/drwatsonspub. $25. Closes 10/24.

Henry IV - Part I This coming-of-age tale traces Prince Hal's journey from a young irresponsible man, to his ascension to the throne as King Henry V. Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival Theatre, 2111 Sansom St.; 215-496-8001. www.phillyshakespeare.org/. Closes 8/30.

Little Fish Theatre: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) All of Shakespeare's plays are compressed into one fast-paced, hilarious show. Broadway Theatre of Pitman, 43 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ; 856-384-8381. www.thebroadwaytheatre.org. $15-$25. Closes 8/28.

Social Security A married couple's happy life is disrupted when the wife's uptight sister and brother-in-law move in, determined to save their college-aged daughter from a life of depravity. Then they meet the wife's 98-year-old client, and sparks fly. Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank & Lafayette Sts., Cape May; 609-884-1341. www.capemaystage.com. $35; $25 seniors; $12.50 students. Closes 8/29.

The Ransom of Red Chief In this stage adaptation of an O. Henry story, two theives think all they have to do is capture a young boy and demand a ransom for his return. First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., Cape May; 609-884-3949. www.capemaypresbyterian.com. $28; $23 seniors; $13 full-time students; free for children 12 & under. Closes 9/5.

Cinderella's Princess Birthday Party

Kids are invited to dress up as royalty for this fun, interactive show about Cinderella's birthday. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211.

» READ MORE: www.hedgerowtheatre.org

. $11; $9 children. Closes 8/29.

Jack & the Beanstalk A young man trades the family cow for some magic beans. Overnight, they grow into a huge stalk that disappears into the sky. Climbing it, Jack finds himself at the castle home of a giant, whom he must outwit. Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2041. www.buckscountyplayhouse.com. $8. Closes 8/29.

Broadway: A Celebration

This production celebrates Broadway's colorful history with a collection of songs from hit musicals. Barn Playhouse, Rittenhouse Boulevard, Norristown; 610-539-2276.

» READ MORE: www.barnplayhouse.org

. $15; $13 seniors and children under 12. Closes 8/30.

Without a Cue Productions: Deadly Dancing

Set in a Catskills resort in the 1960s, this murder mystery production tells the story of a dance contest that may take a turn for the deadly. Peddler's Village, Rtes. 202 & 263, Lahaska; 215-794-4000.

» READ MORE: www.peddlersvillage.com

. $47.95. Closes 8/29.

Amy JiaQi Yang, Pianist

Yang is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and has also studied at Juilliard and Yale. She has captured first prizes at many competitions and has performed in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Yardley Community Centre, 64 S. Main St., Morrisville 8/29. 4 pm.

Family Concerts in the Garden The Community Conservatory and Byers' Choice Ltd. present Family Concerts in the Garden. Byers' Choice Visitor Center, 4355 County Line Rd., Chalfont; 215-822-6700. www.byerschoice.com. Closes 8/28.

Glass Armonica Performances Classically trained musician Carolinn Skyler performs on the musical instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin. Free Quaker Meeting House, 500 Arch St.; 215-629-5801. Closes 9/6.

Ocean City Pops: Our Three Tenors II Tenors Stephen Costello, Christopher Hux, and Michael Galant perform with the Pops. Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn & the Boardwalk, Ocean City; 609-525-9291. www.njoceancity.com. $20. 8/30. 8 pm.

Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass Rodney Mack is a trumpeter of international acclaim. Having worked under Leonard Bernstein, Gerard Schwarz, James DePreist, and John Williams, Mack has played with some of the world's best symphonies and orchestras. In addition to his award-winning solo work, Mack leads the Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass, an ensemble of top brass and percussion players. The ensemble performs at top venues with a variety of musical styles, from Renaissance to jazz. Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center, 130 Tomlinson Mill Rd., Marlton; 856-983-3366. www.sjtheater.com. $40. 8/29. 8 pm.

2009 Live Arts Festival - Brian Sanders/Junk: Urban Scuba

Junk, the newest creation from choreographer Brian Sanders, uses wild illusions created with movement and fantastical costumes over water. Humor, extreme physicality, and stunning imagination will be at the forefront of this world premiere. University of the Arts - Gershman Hall (Gershman Y), 401 S. Broad St.; 215-446-3027.

» READ MORE: www.gershmany.org

. $20. Closes 9/13.

Animus Animus is an instrumental group that performs a mix of jazz, Greek, rock, Middle Eastern and metal. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. www.worldcafelive.com. $16. 8/30. 7:30 pm.

Michael Jackson's Birthday Celebration Join Society Hill as they remember Michael through his greatest work on his birthday. Society Hill Dance Academy, 409 S. Second St.; 215-574-3574. www.societyhilldance.com. $20. Closes 8/29.

Philadelphia Live Arts Festival Features outstanding artists, about half from the Philadelphia region and others from around the world. Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe, various locations; 215-413-9006. www.livearts-fringe.org/index.html. $25-$30. Closes 9/19.

Philly Fringe This annual event showcases work by new and established artists, most local. See exciting new work in a wide variety of genres, ranging from music and theater to comedy and visual art. Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe, various locations; 215-413-9006. www.livearts-fringe.org/index.html. $10-$25. Closes 9/19.

Traditional Irish Music Session As many as 20 musicians turn up to play at this popular weekly event. The Plough is often a venue for visiting Irish bands and groups such as Altan, Solas, Kila, The Sawdoctors, the 3 Tenors, and even the Riverdance crew. On occasion, local set and step dancers drop by. If you play an instrument, you are welcome to attend and join in the fun. Plough & The Stars, 123 Chestnut St.; 215-733-0300. www.ploughstars.com/. Closes 10/4.

Philly Fringe Preview

This production features a series of brief sneak previews of shows premiering at the Philly Fringe Festival. Stick around to meet the artists. Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-735-0630.

» READ MORE: www.playsandplayers.org

. $10. Closes 8/31.

Walking With Dinosaurs Internationally renowned designers have worked with scientists to create 15 life-sized dinosaurs for this hybrid theatrical production that combines traditional and high-tech theatrical disciplines to provide a mixture of entertainment and education, excitement and fear. Master puppeteers operate the dinosaurs via new and special technologies. Boardwalk Hall, One Ocean Way, Atlantic City; 609-449-2000. www.boardwalkhall.com. $19.50-$59.50. Closes 9/6.