Performance and classical music listings
Theater Professional/semiprofessional 1812 Productions: This Is the Week That Is Ever-changing show that takes a witty look at local, national & international current events. Closes 12/31. Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; reservations required: 215-735-0630 or 1-800-595-4849 (4TIX). www.1812productions.org. $20-$35.
Theater
Professional/semiprofessional
1812 Productions: This Is the Week That Is
Ever-changing show that takes a witty look at local, national & international current events. Closes 12/31. Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; reservations required: 215-735-0630 or 1-800-595-4849 (4TIX).
» READ MORE: www.1812productions.org
. $20-$35.
A Christmas Carol An adaptation faithful to the original story by Charles Dickens, complete with cherished carols. Closes 12/26. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $25; $22 seniors; $10 students.
A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale. Closes 12/26. Princeton University's McCarter Theatre, 91 University Pl.; 609-258-2787 (ARTS). $45-$70.
A Jew Grows in Brooklyn Jake Ehrenreich's autobiographical hit comedy-musical tracing his journey from Brooklyn to the Catskills to Broadway. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. www.ajewgrowsinbrooklyn.com/. $44.50-$52.50.
Blue Man Group Three bald men, painted blue, present a show blending performance art, comedy & mime. Closes 1/2. University of the Arts' Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. www.blueman.com. $25-$85.
Caesar's Palace o' Fun Lively mix of variety acts, music & comedy. Walnut Street Theatre's Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. $30.
Cirque du Soleil: Dralion The acclaimed troupe's latest show blends Eastern & Western acrobatics. Temple University's Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St.; ComcastTix: 800-298-4200. www.cirquedusoleil.com. $45-$84; $40.50-$72 seniors, students and military; $36-$68 children 12 and under.
Irving Berlin's White Christmas Stage adaptation of the popular movie, featuring Berlin's music & lyrics. Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. $10-$95.
Laughing From Right to Left David Glickman's musical-comedy, which celebrates what's so funny about being Jewish. Closes 12/25. Temple Brith Achim, 481 S. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia; reservations recommended: 610-337-2222. Donation suggested: $5.
Nuncrackers Featuring Equity guest artist Micki Sharpe & Hedgerow favorite Susan Wefel. Closes 1/9. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $25; $22 seniors; $10 students.
Parenting 101: The Musical New musical about the many ups & downs of raising kids. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. $35-$47.
The Three Musketeers (The Later Years) Holiday party with an oddball cast of characters celebrating the holiday season with singing, dancing & dueling. Swashbuckling seasonal fun. Closes 1/9. People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern; 610-644-3500. $35-$50; $32-$47 children 17 and under.
The Understudy An actor & his understudy clash over a role in a newly discovered Kafka play. Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-546-7824. $36; $31 seniors; $18 students and ages 20-29.
The Very Merry Xmas Carol Holiday Adventure Show An arctic adventure where three unlikely friends battle a mysterious & malevolent force that's unraveling the tradition of Christmas. Theatre Horizon at Centre Theater, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown; box office: 610-283-2230. $27, $24 seniors; $37 on New Year's Eve, $34 seniors, $31 students.
Family theater
A Fractured Christmas Carol
A slapdash, fast-paced, family-friendly adaptation of a favorite holiday story. Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave.; 215-427-9255 (WALK). $8, $5 children; Pay what you can on Wednesdays.
Annie In this popular musical, a little red-haired orphan gets everyone to have hope for "Tomorrow." Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, 104 E. State St.; 610-891-0100. $25-$46.
Cape May Stage: The Little Prince Directed and conceived by Scott Hitz, written by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, and featuring puppets by Emmy Award-winning designer Michael Schupbach, this beloved classic of children's literature has been turned into a production for the whole family. Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's fable about a pilot who crash-lands in the desert and meets an openhearted boy from another planet, gently reminds us to hold on to what is truly important in life. Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank & Lafayette Sts., Cape May; box office: 609-884-1341. www.capemaystage.com. $12.50-$40.
Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3 This show features memorable scenes from all three Toy Story movies. Closes 1/2. Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-339-7600. www.disneyonice.com. $15-$85.
Enchantment Theatre Company: Cinderella This nationally acclaimed original production features life-size puppets, masks, magic & music. Closes 1/2. Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-893-1999. www.enchantmenttheatre.org. $29; $25 students & seniors; $17 children.
Storybook Musical Theatre: Snow White An original musical adaptation of the classic story. Closes 12/30. Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Rd., Bryn Athyn; reservations required: 215-659-8550. www.storybookmusical.org. $12; $10 children.
The Borrowers The story of a tiny family forced into the great big outdoor world when its home beneath the floorboards is discovered. Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2d St.; 215-922-1122. $30-$32; $20-$22 teens; $16-$18 children.
Tiny Tim's Christmas Abbreviated version of A Christmas Carol, minus the ghosts that may be frightening to small children. Closes 12/29. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211. $11; $9 children.
Dinner theater
Murder at the Irish Wake
Comic murder-mystery centered on an Irish wake, where the dearly departed may have had outside help in taking his leave. Bistro Romano, 120 Lombard St.; Mystery Dinner Theatre box office: 215-238-1313. $42.95.
Classical Music
Orchestral/chamber music
Advent Brown Bag Concerts
Enjoy a midday break, bring your lunch & hear music of the season by guest performers. Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Court St. Free.
Christmas Eve Concert & Service Carols of the British Isles for choir & brass quartet. St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 409 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn. Free. 12/24. 7 pm.
Opera/choral
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service
No nursery care available at this service. Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Court St. Free.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Early Christmas Eve Candlelight services include a children's message & choral music. Nursery care available. Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Court St. Free.
Dance
Israeli Dancing
Informal weekly dance sessions. New dancers welcome. Germantown Jewish Centre, 400 W. Ellet St.; 215-844-1507, Ext. 19. $5.
Pennsylvania Ballet: George Ballanchine's "The Nutcracker" The classic holiday tale of a girl & her magical doll is brought to life through dance. Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Sts.; box office: 215-893-1999. www.paballet.org. $30-$139.
Salsa Lessons & Dancing Dance lessons followed by open dancing w/DJ Rombero spinning salsa, merengue & baccata. Coastline, 1240 Brace Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-795-1773.
Other Performances
Bob Egan Showcase
Eight or more vocalists take the stage, accompanied by pianist & host Egan. Stockton Inn, 1 Main St., Stockton, N.J.; 609-397-1250.
» READ MORE: www.bobeganentertainment.com
. $10; $10 food and drink minimum.
Gogol Bordello Gypsy-punk band fusing supercharged folk with a sideshow cabaret. Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; box office: 215-627-1332. www.gogolbordello.com/. $37.40. 12/29. 8 pm.