Diversions: March 20-26

THEATER Born Yesterday The Walnut Street Theatre presents one of America’s original screwball comedies, about a business tycoon who goes to Washington, D. C., trying to break into the “special-interest” business with an ethically challenged senator, through April 26, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

The Berenstain Bears’ Family Matters If you have small children and want to teach them stuff without actually having to talk to them, point their cherub-like faces at this show based on the successful book characters, through April 4 at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

Bus Stop The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater presents William Inge’s classic romantic comedy about an unlikely group of characters thrown together in Grace’s small-town diner during a howling snowstorm, through March 28, 614 Fairview Ave., Swarthmore; (866) 811-4111.

Defiance Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the Philadelphia-area premiere of the second play in Pulitzer Prize winner John Patrick Shanley’s trilogy, which began with “Doubt,” March 24-April 12, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; (215) 785-0100.

The Irish and How They Got That Way The Kimmel Center presents an irreverent but affectionate history of the Irish in America that mingles laughter and sentiment in a tapestry of classical songs and stories as told by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, through March 29 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Iron Kisses The heartfelt and often funny exploration of the relationships between parents runs through April 5 at Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; (215) 654-0200.

The Karma Cookie 1812 Productions presents a comedy following two British brothers around the globe on their quest for enlightenment … sort of, through March 29 at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 592-9560.

Ladies in Retirement The Stagecrafters in Chestnut Hill present the psychological mystery-thriller by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham, through March 21, 8130 Germantown Ave.; (215) 247-8881.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue The Walnut Street Theatre and Isis productions present the Neil Simon comedy, through March 29 at Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

Scorched The Wilma Theater presents the East Coast premiere of the epic drama/mystery by acclaimed Lebanese-Canadian playwright Wajdi Mouawad, through March 29, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7824.

Six Degrees of Separation The dark and witty play explores themes of the New York elite, racial tensions, homophobia, homelessness, obsession with status and relationships between parents and children, through March 22 at Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High St., Pottstown; (610) 970-1199.

William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead Shakespeare fights zombies in the East Coast premiere production, through March 28 at Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Place; (215) 735-0630.

A Year with Frog and Toad Arden Theatre Company presents the revival of the smash-hit musical based on the Newbery- and Caldecott-honored children’s books by Arnold Lobel, through April 19 at 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

MUSIC classical The Firebird The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Charles Dutoit bringing together a mixture of French and Russian sounds, 8 p.m. March 21 and 24 and 2 p.m. March 22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Gil Shaham Returns The Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates the beginning of spring with special concerts at 8 p.m. March 26-28 and 2 p.m. March 29 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

MUSIC other Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick The old-school hip-hop acts unite at 8 p.m. March 20 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.

That ’80s Show The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs a concert featuring some of the decade’s biggest hits, 8 p.m. March 20-21 and 2 p.m. March 21 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; (215) 569-9700.

Saffire The Uppity Blues Women: Farewell Tour The group celebrates its 25th anniversary and farewell tour at 7:30 p.m. March 21 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1710.

Peek-a-boo Revue Philadelphia’s hardest-working burlesque troupe performs at 10:30 p.m. March 21 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1710.

The Fab Faux The Beatles tribute band performs “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” at 8 p.m. March 21 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650.

One Night of Queen The Queen tribute band performs at 8 p.m. March 22 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650.

Idina Menzel The Tony Award-winning actress and singer best known for her roles in “Rent” and “Wicked” performs at 8 p.m. March 25 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650.

EXHIBITS Assembled Abstractions AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of original paintings by Barbara Klein and Michael Smith, through April 25, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.

Impressions of an Age: Ukiyo-e Prints from the Berman Collection The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College presents an exhibition of woodblock print (ukiyo-e) art made popular during Japan’s Edo Period, through April 17, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville; (610) 409-3500.

Ion Zupcu: Works on Paper Gallery 339 presents an exhibition of still-life photography, through May 16, 339 S. 21st St.; (215) 731-1530.

L’arte d’alluminar Haverford College Library Special Collections presents an exhibition of illustrations of Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” through April 22, 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford; (610) 896-1161.

Making Arrangements Wexler Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new sculptural works by the Vancouver-based ceramic artist Dirk Staschke, through April 25, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030.

The Many Faces of Stereotypes Verdadism Art Gallery hosts an exhibition of New York-born artist Soraida’s new series of drawings, through April 30, 220 S. Berlin Road, Lindenwold, N.J.; (856) 346-3131.

Sendak on Sendak The Rosenbach Museum and Library hosts an exhibition exploring the work of gay artist/author Maurice Sendak, through May 3 at 2008-10 Delancey Place; (215) 732-1600.

Yuichi Hibi: Neco Gallery 339 presents Hibi’s photographic exhibition that evokes the menace, beauty and mystery of urban landscapes at night, through May 16, 339 S. 21st St.; (215) 731-1530.

DANCE Cinderella The Pennsylvania Ballet presents the rags-to-riches story through March 21 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Japanese Dance Workshop Kabuki dancer and long-time Taiko drumming instructor Isaburo Hanayagi conducts educational workshops on various aspects of Japanese performance, 6:30 p.m. March 24 at Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9914.

FILM Looney Tunes Ninety minutes of Looney Tunes cartoons from the Warner Bros. vaults are screened at 2 p.m. March 21 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

The Thomas Crown Affair The 1968 caper film starring Steve McQueen is screened at 2 p.m. March 22 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

In a Dream The Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival presents the documentary chronicling the work and life of artist Isaiah Zagar, who has spent the last four decades covering more than 50,000 square feet of Philadelphia with stunning glass mosaic murals, at 8 p.m. March 21 at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-1042.

Twilight The 2008 teen vampire film is screened at 8 p.m. March 23 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.

BOOKS Sarah Dunn The author of “Secrets to Happiness” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Germaine Greer The feminist author of “Shakespeare’s Wife” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. March 24 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Yu Hua The Chinese author of “Brothers” hosts a book event at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Brian Rafferty The author of “Don’t Stop Believin’: How Karaoke Conquered the World and Changed My Life” talks about his personal karaoke experiences and his visits to karaoke joints around the world, at 7 p.m. March 26 at Easttown Library, 720 First Ave., Berwyn; (610) 644-0138.

AUDITIONS Frontline Philly’s Dance Review Showcase Frontline Philly is holding informal auditions March 20 and 27 for dancers from all genres for a June 6 showcase to highlight up-and-coming artists, performers and choreographers. For information and locations, contact [email protected].

CABARET Andrew Suvalsky The openly gay award-winning jazz singer performs at 8:30 p.m. March 21 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret The raucous cabaret starring the world’s tallest hairy drag queen kicks off at 8 p.m. March 26 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; (215) 592-0656.

ETC Greg Fitzsimmons The comic best known for his work on VH1’s “Best Week Ever” performs March 20-21 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001.

Spring Pink Pub Crawl The gay barhopping event, with stops at The Bike Stop, Woody’s and Pure, kicks off at 9 p.m. March 21 at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St.; (215) 545-0900.

Kate Clinton The out comedian and activist performs at 8 p.m. March 23 at Harrison Auditorium at the University of Pennsylvania Museum, 3260 South St.; (215) 898-4000.

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