THEATER Alegría

Cirque du Soleil’s latest tour is an operatic introspection of the struggle for power and the invigorating energy of youth, relating the tale of power versus weakness, the king versus his jesters and age against youth, through Oct. 16 at the Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St.; (215) 204-2400, and Oct. 20-25 at the Sovereign Center, 700 Penn St., Reading; (610) 898-7469.

Coming Home

The Wilma Theater presents the tale of a South African mother’s return to her hometown in the hope of building a new life for her and her son, through Nov. 15, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7824.

Defending the Caveman

The longest-running solo show in Broadway history returns through Nov. 7 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

The Walnut Street Theater presents the story of two suave and shameless con-men with two very different styles, through Oct. 25, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

The First Day of School: A Soccermom Sex Farce

1812 Productions presents a comedy where the characters desperately break free of the doldrums of suburbia in unexpected ways, through Oct. 25, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; (215) 592-9560.

Haunted Poe

Brat Productions presents a theatrical take on a Halloween tradition, the haunted house, with an immersive, multi-sensory experience devoted to the 200th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birth, through Nov. 1 at Haunted Poe Warehouse, 38 Jackson St.; (800) 838-3006.

The History Boys

The Arden Theatre presents the acclaimed drama chronicling the final school year of eight clever young British students in pursuit of sex, sport and admission into Oxford or Cambridge, through Nov. 1, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

Humor Abuse

Philadelphia Theater Company presents the Obie Award-winning production based on Lorenzo Pisoni’s vagabond life as the youngest member of San Francisco’s Pickle Family Circus, through Oct. 25 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; (215) 985-0420.

Mister, Mister

Quince Productions presents a dark comedy about murder, fame and not-so-innocent childhood, through Oct. 25 at Shubin Theater, 407 Bainbridge St.; (215) 627-1088.

Rabbit Hole

The Arden Theatre presents the story of a family in crisis, facing the challenges of surviving great loss and making a life with the family that remains, Oct. 22-Dec. 20, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love

New City Stage Company presents a dark comedy-drama from the pen of Brad Fraser, one of the writers and producers of the Showtime hit “Queer As Folk,” as he examines the lives of several sexually frustrated individuals who try to learn the meaning of love while living in fear of a serial killer, through Oct. 18 at Adrienne Theater’s Mainstage, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 563-7500.

MUSIC classical Matsukawa Plays Mozart

The Philadelphia Orchestra welcomes back British conductor Roger Norrington and presents a performance featuring principal bassoonist Daniel Matsukawa, 2 p.m. Oct. 16 and 18 and 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Arturo Stable Quintet

Painted Bride Arts Center presents a performance by the Latin jazz group at 8 p.m. Oct. 17, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9144.

Dudu Fisher

The acclaimed Broadway performer presents a concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Mendelssohn’s “Italian” The Philadelphia Orchestra performs an evening of high-drama favorites, 8 p.m. Oct. 22-24 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Music other Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers

Grammy and Emmy-winning actor/comedian/musician and bestselling author Martin performs in support of his bluegrass album, “The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo,” at 9 p.m. Oct. 19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

The Fab Faux perform Abbey Road & Let It Be

The Beatles tribute band performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650.

Paramore

The rock band performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (215) 627-1332.

Chris Pureka

The lesbian singer-songwriter performs at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 928-0770.

Meshell Ndegeocello

The out bassist/R&B singer/producer performs at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

The classic rock group performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 19-20 at the Wachovia Spectrum, 3601 S. Broad St.; (215) 336-2000.

Vertical Horizon

The alt-rock band performs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Queensryche and Lita Ford

The prog-metal band and the former Runaway perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at TLA, 334 South St.; (215) 922-1011.

EXHIBITIONS The Art of Japanese Craft: 1875 to the Present

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition surveying the rich diversity of 20th-century Japanese craft, through Oct. 18, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

Art and Allegory

Edge Gallery presents an exhibition featuring Virginia artist Harkrader, Philadelphia artist Salvador DiQuinzio and Canadian artist Ray Mantella, through Oct. 25, 72 N. Second St.; (215) 413-7072.

Common Ground: Eight Philadelphia Photographers in the 1960s and 1970s

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition examining a critical period for the art of photography and for the Philadelphia art scene, through Jan. 31, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

Diana: A Celebration

The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition exploring Diana’s childhood, her engagement to Prince Charles, their royal wedding and Diana’s life and work as a global humanitarian, through Dec. 31, 525 Arch St.; (866) 917-1787.

Embracing the Uncarved Wood: Sculptural Reliefs from Shandong, China

Leonard Pearlstein Gallery presents an exhibition featuring 18 large wood reliefs that combine traditional Chinese carving methods with very untraditional subject matter drawn from contemporary and international art sources, through Oct. 21 at Nesbitt Hall, 3215 Market St.; (215) 895-2548.

Henri Matisse and Modern Art on the French Riviera

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition inspired by the Mediterranean vacation spot, through Oct. 25, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

A Home For Ghosts ArtStar Gallery hosts an exhibition of works from artist Kurt Halsey, through Nov. 1, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 238-1557.

Lace in Translation

The Design Center at Philadelphia University presents a new exhibition of contemporary work inspired by historic lace, through April 3, 4200 Henry Ave.; (215) 951-2860.

Peaks of Faith: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition encompassing nearly a millennium of art from across the Himalayan region, through fall, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

Ragas and Rajas: Musical Imagery of Courtly India

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a diverse selection of paintings and sculptures from across the subcontinent, through Feb. 28, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

Shooting Men: a photographic journey of erotica, sexuality and gender

AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of photography by Vivienne Maricevic, through Nov. 7, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.

Shopping in Paris: French Fashion 1850-1925

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the American experience abroad between 1850 and 1925, through Oct. 25, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

What Were They Thinking: 160 Years of Bad Taste

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts presents an exhibition of styles that were the height of fashion at some point in recent history, through Nov. 8 at The Carriage House Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, N.J.; (609) 884-5404.

OPERA Madama Butterfly

The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents the most popular work in the entire operatic canon, sung in Italian with English translations, through Oct. 18 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

DANCE Program I

The Pennsylvania Ballet pays homage to the Imperial Russian Ballet with a plotless ballet featuring glittering costumes and inventive choreography, Oct. 21-25 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Danco on Dance

Painted Bride Arts Center presents a performance by Philadanco’s junior company at 8 p.m. Oct. 22-23, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9144.

FILM Beyond Dracula: Modern Vampire Films

Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents a course examining the figure of the vampire in a variety of incarnations, beginning with the prototype, Dracula, in Werner Herzog’s haunting and atmospheric “Nosferatu,” and continuing with more recent films offering diverse takes on the creature, through Oct. 28, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.

Beetlejuice

The classic 1988 dark comedy is screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Dracula and The Son of Frankenstein

The classic 1930s horror films are screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Precious

BEBASHI hosts a special premiere of the upcoming film by out director and Philadelphia native Lee Daniels, followed by a Q&A with the director and cast members, at 4:45 p.m. Oct. 18 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; (215) 569-9700.

Beyond Breast Cancer: Stories of Survivors

Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents a documentary exploring the experiences of nine courageous women who survive breast cancer only to find their struggles aren’t over, at 7 p.m. Oct. 20, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.

BOOKS CA Conrad, Nathaniel Siegel and Mark Bibbins

The three out authors host a reading at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.

Richard Dawkins

The evolutionary biologist, atheist and author of “The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Yvette Taylor

The author of “Stop! What Are You Waiting For? Your Step-By-Step Guide to Estate Planning” hosts a reading at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Robin’s Books and Moonstone Arts Center, 110a S. 13th St.; (215) 735-9600.

CABARET Broadway Our Way

Cabaret duo Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael perform at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

ETC Lewis Black

The outrageously funny and angry comedian performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

David Cross

The comedian from “Arrested Development” and “Mr. Show” performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Kimmel’s Merriam Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.