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 St.   $36-$42.

A Christmas Carol An adaptation faithful to the original story by Charles Dickens, complete with cherished carols. Closes 12/17. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211.   $25-$34; $22-$31 seniors; $20 ages 30 and under; $15 students.

A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale. Closes 12/27. Princeton University - McCarter Theatre, 91 University Pl., Princeton; 609-258-2787 (ARTS). www.mccarter.org/achristmascarol2015/.   $38-$111.50.

A Christmas Story: The Musical Musical stage adaptation of the classic holiday movie. Closes 1/10. Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.   $20-$95.

Becoming Dr. Ruth Biographical drama about the early years of the woman eventually known as Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Closes 12/27. Walnut Street Theatre - Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.   $30-$35.

Behind the Music: Holiday Tunes Festive show exploring the stories behind popular holiday songs. Closes 12/27. Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; Box Office: 215-654-0200. $35-$41.

Cape May Stage: A Cape May Christmas The story of Santa & Mrs. Claus's secret visit to Cape May. Closes 1/2. Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank & Lafayette Sts., Cape May; 609-884-1341.   $38; $33 seniors; $18 students.

Diner A group of young men contemplate the new realities of adulthood from the comfort of their '50s diner hangout. Closes 12/27. Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington; Box Office: 302-594-1100.   $35-$50.

It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Radio play-style production of the Frank Capra classic, featuring live sound effects. Closes 12/27. Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121.   $29-$85.

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic family musical about the trials & triumphs of Joseph, Israel's favorite son. Closes 1/3. Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. www.josephthemusical.com/ustour/.   $45-$95.

Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery Comic thriller based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic characters. Closes 12/27. Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.   $24-$62.

Murder in Dixie Interactive "whodunit" features comedy, romance, intrigue & murder. Closes 1/30. Bistro Romano, 120 Lombard St.; Mystery Dinner Theatre Box Office: 215-238-1313. www.bistroromano.com/mystery-theatre.   $48.95.

Pig Iron Theatre Company: Gentlemen Volunteers The story of an unlikely romance between ambulance drivers amidst the chaos of WWI. Closes 12/27. Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St.; https://pigiron.ticketleap.com/gentlemen-volunteers. www.pigiron.org.   $20-$30.

The Book of Mormon South Park and Avenue Q creators' musical about 2 young Mormon missionaries sent off to spread the word in a dangerous part of Uganda. Closes 12/27. Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; Telecharge: 800-447-7400. www.bookofmormonbroadway.com/tour_page.php.   $67-$177.

The Three Maries: A Philadelphia Phable A foreign royal's visit to Philadelphia changes the lives of a local family. Closes 1/10. Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-893-1999. $27-$52.

The Three Musketeers (The Later Years): A Musical Panto Adventure & comedy meet as Athos, Porthos, Aramis & a chicken take on the evil Lord Mazorotti. Closes 1/19. People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern; 610-644-3500.   $40-$50; $35-$45 children.

Wilmo Wednesdays Curated variety show featuring various local & regional performers. Ongoing. World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington.   Free.

A Cape May Christmas

Locally written production mixes Santa Claus and Cape May history. First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., Cape May.

» READ MORE: www.capemaystage.org/main_production/a-cape-may-christmas.&nbsp

;  $18-$38.

Family Stages: Cinderella Family Stages presents this fresh version of the well-loved story. Closes 4/9. Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; 215-886-9341. www.familystages.org. $12; $10 seniors; free for children under 3.

Hans Brinker & the Silver Skates World premiere play based on the book by Mary Mapes Dodge. Closes 1/31. Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2nd St.; 215-922-1122.   $34-$36; $29-$31 seniors; $22-$24 teens; $18-$20 children.

Murray the Elf & the Case of the Gruesome Gumdrops Mrs. Claus enlists the aid of Murray the Elf to deal with some sinister gumdrops. Closes 12/27. Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; Box Office: 215-654-0200.   $14; $12 seniors; $10 children.

Quintessence Theatre Group: Hansel & Gretel Songs by David Cope in a retelling of the family classic. Closes 1/3. Sedgwick Theatre, 7137 Germantown Ave. www.quintessencetheatre.org/hansel-and-gretel/.   $27-$34; $25 seniors; $15 students.

Storybook Musical Theatre: The Wizard of Oz Theatrical adaptation of the classic movie. Closes 12/30. Gratz College, 7605 Old York Rd., Elkins Park; 215-659-8550. www.storybookmusical.org.   $14; $12 children.

Without a Cue: A Dickens of a Murder

Sherlock Holmes investigates the death of Ebenezer Scrooge in this Dickens-inspired murder mystery. Closes 12/31. Fisher's Tudor House, 1858 Street Rd., Bensalem; Reservations required: 215-244-9777.

» READ MORE: www.withoutacue.com.&nbsp

;  $59.99.

Without a Cue: Dead Men Don't Speakeasy Murder mystery set in a '20s-era nightclub. Closes 12/31. Peddler's Village, Rtes. 202 & 263, Lahaska. www.withoutacue.com.   $110.

Without a Cue: Murder Under the Mistletoe Desperation leads to trouble at the North Pole when budget deficits threaten the jobs of Santa's workers. Closes 12/26. Peddler's Village, Rtes. 202 & 263, Lahaska; 215-794-4000. www.withoutacue.com/i. 

New Jersey Capital Philharmonic: New Year's Eve Concert

Featuring works by Shostakovich, Offenbach, Strauss, Leroy Anderson & Gershwin. Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Dr., Trenton; 215-893-1999.

» READ MORE: www.capitalphilharmonic.org.&nbsp

;  $40-$75. 12/31. 8 pm.

Philadelphia Orchestra: New Year's Eve Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads the Orchestra through a fun & festive New Year's concert. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts. www.philorch.org. $60-$135. 12/31. 7:30 pm.

Salute to Vienna Annual performance featuring polkas, waltzes & operetta excerpts by Strauss & other Viennese composers. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts. www.salutetovienna.com. $41-$111. 12/27. 2:30 pm.

West Philadelphia Orchestra 15 talented Philly musicians playing an eclectic, vibrant mix of music inspired by Eastern European styles. Underground Arts at The Wolf Building, 1200 Callowhill St. www.westphiladelphiaorchestra.com.   $30-$40. 12/31. 9 pm.

Pennsylvania Ballet: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Classic holiday tale of a girl & her magical doll. The Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Sts.; Box Office: 215-893-1999.

» READ MORE: www.paballet.org.&nbsp

;  $30-$150. 12/26, 12/26, 12/27, 12/27, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31.

PhillyBloco PhillyBloco is modeled after the blocos of Rio de Janeiro. Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore; 610-649-8389. phillybloco.com/about-the-music.   $30 advance; $35. 12/31. 8:30 pm.