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 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 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 in which the characters desperately break free of the doldrums of suburbia in unexpected ways, through Oct. 25 at 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, 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, 8 p.m. Oct. 23, 24 and 30 and 7:30 and 11:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Barnstormers Theater, 416 Tome St., Ridley Park; www.barnstormerstheater.com.
MUSIC classical Mendelssohn’s “Italian” The Philadelphia Orchestra performs an evening of high-drama favorites, 8 p.m. Oct. 23-24 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Scandinavian Perspectives The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia presents Dirk Brossé conducting a variety of Scandinavian works in honor of the Swedish Royal Family, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
The Jack Wolgin Orchestral Concerts The Curtis Symphony Orchestra presents this concert at 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
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, 8 p.m. Oct. 29 and 31 and 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
MUSIC other Hall & Oates, The Hooters and Todd Rundgren The classic rock groups perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Wachovia Spectrum, 3601 S. Broad St.; (215) 336-2000.
Lenny Kravitz The rock singer performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 317-1000.
Blackmore’s Night Legendary Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore performs with Candice Night and their talented band of minstrels at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.
The Used The punk-rock band performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (215) 627-1332.
Brian Wilson The Beach Boy and songwriter performs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650.
EXHIBITS 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.
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 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.
Remix: Art Exhibition & Sale The Attic Youth Center hosts a silent auction and art sale from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Tower Gallery, 969 N. Second St.; (215) 545-4331.
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.
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 Leeway grant recipients, which includes photographs, paintings, prints, video and installation pieces, by appointment through Dec. 18, 1315 Walnut St., Suite 832; (215) 545-4078.
OPERA Don Quichotte Amici Opera Company presents Massenet’s opera at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Garden Church Trinity Methodist, 82 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (215) 224-0257.
DANCE Program I The Pennsylvania Ballet presents homage to the Imperial Russian Ballet with a plotless ballet featuring glittering costumes and inventive choreography, through Oct. 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. 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.
The Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival The Gershman Y hosts three weeks of film screenings, Oct. 24-Nov. 14, 401 S. Broad St.; (215) 545-4400.
Ghostbusters The classic 1984 supernatural comedy is screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.
Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man and The Invisible Man The two classic monster movies are screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.
A Nightmare on Elm Street See the original horror classic before Hollywood does a crappy remake, at 8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.
Executive Suite Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents the 1954 corporate drama at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.
Horrorfest: Night of the Living Dead Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents the classic zombie film at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.
BOOKS Thulani Davis The author of “My Confederate Kinfolk: A Twenty-First Century Freedwoman Discovers Her Roots” hosts a reading at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Robin’s Books and Moonstone Arts Center, 110a S. 13th St.; (215) 735-9600.
Jonathan Mayberry The multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing teacher hosts a discussion at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Robin’s Books and Moonstone Arts Center, 110a S. 13th St.; (215) 735-9600.
GStarr The out author of “Pulling Me Back” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.
Melvin Van Peebles The filmmaker and author of “Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-Itchy-Footed Mutha” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.
CABARET Simply Barbra Steven Brinberg channels the almighty Babs (i.e. Streisand) in drag at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Harrah’s Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Chester; (215) 336-2000.
Jim Van Slyke, The Sedaka Show The acclaimed cabaret singer performs at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.
ETC Dracula Party The Rosenbach teams up with special guests from the Spiral Q Puppet Theater to present a variety of Dracula and Halloween-related activities, all-ages and free, from 3-8 p.m. Oct. 24 at Fitler Square Park, Pine between 23rd and 24th streets.
Comedy at the Kimmel: An Evening of Hilarity for Charity Bill Bellamy (“Last Comic Standing”) and Ralph Harris (“In Living Color”) perform to benefit Community Partnership School at 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Michael and Michael Have Live Tour Comedians Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.