THEATER Boom

Flashpoint Theatre Company presents the story of a biologist and a lab assistant who inadvertently change the course of humanity, Oct. 28-Nov. 21 at Second Stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 665-9720.

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 herself and her son, through Nov. 15, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7824.

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

InterAct Theatre presents this 2008 Latino Playwrighting Award-winning production set in the world of professional wrestling and hip-hop, through Nov. 22 at The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, 2111 Sansom St.; (215) 568-8079.

Endgame

EgoPo presents Samuel Beckett’s bizarre family comedy featuring torturous fleas and an elderly couple living in trash cans, through Nov. 15 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.; (215) 829-9002.

Grace, or the Art of Climbing

Written by out playwright Lauren Feldman, the dramatic comedy is set in the world of rock climbing, through Nov. 8 at The Power Plant in Old City, 233 N. Bread St.; (202) 744-3362.

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.

The Long Christmas Ride Home

Azuka Theatre begins its 10th-anniversary season with the Philadelphia premiere of openly gay Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel’s story about three children and their parents taking what will turn out to be an ill-fated ride to grandmother’s house, through Nov. 15 at Mandell Theater, 3300 Chestnut St.; (215) 733-0255.

Mamma Mia! The musical based on the music of ABBA runs Nov. 3-8 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

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, through Dec. 20, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

The Rocky Horror Show

The Barnstormers present Rich O’Brien’s cult classic stage show with a cast bringing a mix of goth and punk, at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and 7:30 and 11:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Barnstormers Theater, 402 Tome St., Ridley Park; www.ticketleap.com.

Slasher

Luna Theater presents the tale of the “last girl” in a low-budget horror flick and her mother’s feminist rage toward the role, through Nov. 7 at Walnut Street Theater’s Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

MUSIC classical Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

The Philadelphia Orchestra presents German-born violinist Julia Fischer for an all-Russian program that highlights Tchaikovsky’s summery Violin Concerto, at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Halloween Haunts

The Philadelphia Orchestra performs ghoulish musical delights at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

MUSIC other Dead Milkmen

The punk group performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.

Hollywood Undead

The rap-rock group performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (215) 627-1332.

Snoop Dogg

The rapper performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 236-2583.

Miley Cyrus

Disney’s pop darling performs at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; (215) 336-2000.

Glen Tillbrook

The Squeeze frontman/guitarist performs at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 928-0770.

Train and Uncle Kracker

The rock bands perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 5 at TLA, 334 South St.; (215) 922-1011.

EXHIBITS Body Worlds 2 & The Brain

The Franklin Institute presents an eye-opening journey through the inner workings of the human body through a broad collection of authentic human specimens, through Feb. 20, 222 N. 20th St.; (215) 448-1200.

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.

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.

Kaleidoscope

Edge Gallery presents an exhibition featuring Philadelphia artist Tom Hlas and North Carolina artist Robert Langford, Nov. 1-29, 72 N. Second St.; (215) 413-7072.

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.

Naked Design

Biello Martin Studio presents a photo exhibition celebrating the sensual side of decorative art and design with erotically charged images by seven photographers, through Oct. 31, 148 N. Third St.; (215) 923-8737.

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 Nov. 15, 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.

Transplant

James Oliver Gallery presents an exhibition of works by painter Ron Johnson and sculptor Steven Earl Weber, through Nov. 21, 723 Chestnut St., fourth floor; (215) 923-1242.

Yo Misma Fui Mi Ruta (I Was My Own Route) The Leeway Foundation hosts an exhibition of works by four artists, all of whom are previous recipients of Leeway grant programs, which includes photographs, paintings, prints, video and installation pieces, by appointment through Dec. 18, 1315 Walnut St., Suite 832; (215) 545-4078.

OPERA Nabucco

Amici Opera Company presents Verdi’s opera at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Dock Woods Community, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale; (215) 224-0257.

DANCE Thriller Dance Party

Society Hill Dance Academy’s annual Halloween party features Michael Jackson’s legendary moves, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 409 S. Second St.; (215) 574-3574.

FILM Harvey

The classic 1950 film starring James Stewart is screened at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

The Twilight Zone: 50th Anniversary Marathon

A number of episodes of the classic sci-fi series are screened and discussed at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at Robin’s Books and Moonstone Arts Center, 110a S. 13th St.; (215) 735-9600.

Super Troopers

The comedy is screened at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.

Muppets, Music and Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy

This series highlights the work of one of the world’s most inspired and innovative film and puppetry artists, Nov. 3-8 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Secret Ballot

Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents this 2001 film as part of its Iranian film series at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.

This Is Spinal Tap and Anvil: The Story of Anvil

Two of the best and funniest movies ever made about heavy metal are screened at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Kevin Smith

The director of “Clerks,” “Chasing Amy” and “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” makes a rare live appearance, including an exclusive, no-holds-barred Q&A session, at 8 p.m. Nov. 5 at Kimmel’s Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

BOOKS David Sax

The author of “Save the Deli” hosts a reading a 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

David Plouffe

President Obama’s chief campaign manager and author of “The Audacity to Win” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

CABARET Halloween in Emerald City

Costumes, prizes and DJ Michael Decero are the center of the festivities starting at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

ETC UniverSoul Circus

The circus brings its the all-new production “The World in One Ring,” through Nov. 15 at Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Fairmount Park; 5201 Parkside Ave.; (800) 745-3000.

Henri David Halloween Ball

The Philadelphia gay icon hosts his annual bash with DJs, contests and amazing costumes, 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th and Race streets; (215) 732-7711.