Diversions: Dec. 4-10

THEATER A Christmas Carol and The Christmas Carol Conspiracy: Scrooge’s Revenge Both plays – one a faithful production of the holiday classic and the other a dark farce – run on alternating nights through Dec. 20 at the Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville; (215) 295-3694.

The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon The classic children’s book comes to life through Jan. 3 at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; (215) 893-1999.

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues BCKSEET Productions presents the return of this holiday black comedy where eight reindeer vent about Santa and Rudolph, through Dec. 23 at the Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210.

The :nv:s:ble Play Philadelphia Theatre Workshop presents the world premiere of the story of people trying to hang on in the workplace, through Dec. 13 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play The classic Christmas tale is told Dec. 4-6 and 10-13, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore; (610) 328-4271.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Devon Theatre presents a rainbow ride through biblical Egypt, through Dec. 13, 6319 Frankford Ave.; (215) 338-6300.

The Light in the Piazza Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the love story set in Italy, through Dec. 13 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; (215) 985-0420.

Nutcracker 1776 The Rock School presents a historical Philly-based take on the classic Christmas story, at 2 p.m. Dec. 5-6 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Oliver! Walnut Street Theatre presents one of the world’s most beloved musicals, through Jan. 10, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

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.

Red, White & Tuna Walnut Street Theatre presents two comic masters bringing to life 24 characters from Tuna, Texas, through Jan. 3 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

The Santaland Diaries Flashpoint Theatre Company presents the holiday comedy based on the best-selling book by out humorist David Sedaris, through Dec. 20 at Second Stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 665-9720.

Scapin Lantern Theater Company presents Molière’s classic farce, through Jan. 3 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.; (215) 829-0395.

This Is the Week That Is 1812 Productions presents its signature take on political satire, through Jan. 3 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; (215) 592-9560.

MUSIC classical Nézet-Séguin Conducts The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Brahms’ D-minor Piano Concerto with Nézet-Séguin, recently named music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Holiday POPS! Peter Nero and the Philly POPS perform a series of holiday-themed shows Dec. 5-20 at Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

The Ring-Orchestral Adventure The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform the world premiere of the Violin Concerto by George Walker at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

MUSIC other Vienna Boys Choir The world-renowned group performs at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

PGMC: A Vintage Holiday Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs a holiday concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 4-5 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St.; www.pgmc.org.

Sophisticated Lady Sheila Jordan The jazz singer performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Rainbow Chorale of Delaware The chorus performs a holiday-themed show at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at First & Central Presbyterian Church, 1101 Market St., Wilmington, Del.; (888) 512-5093

EXHIBITS Agulhas Gallery 339 presents an exhibition of works by Edward Dimsdale through Jan. 23, 339 S. 21st St., (215) 731-1530.

Annual Holiday Show ArtStar Gallery hosts an exhibition of handmade ornaments and holiday cards by select artists, through Dec. 31, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 238-1557.

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.

8×10 and Under: Small Landscapes Gallery 339 presents a new photography exhibition through Jan. 23, 339 S. 21st St.; (215) 731-1530.

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.

Paperboy with Pedestals AxD Gallery presents sculpture and works on paper by James Groody, through Dec. 5, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.

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.

Rockwell’s America The largest 3-D Norman Rockwell exhibit in the world takes visitors on a unique journey that includes segments from the Academy Award-winning film “Norman Rockwell’s World,” 20 theatrical environments, 35 three-dimensional life-sized depictions of Rockwell’s characters and dozens of interactive educational experiences, through March 14 at King of Prussia Mall’s Lower Level Plaza, 256 Mall Blvd.; (610) 768-0710.

Step Right Up Bahdeebahdu presents an exhibition featuring the mixed-media work of Ryan Wilson Kelly, Melissa Stern and Ricky Boscarino, each bound by a circle of light to produce a single circus theme, through Jan. 30, 1522 N. American St.; (215) 627-5002.

DANCE Radio City Christmas: Rockettes The world-famous dance troupe performs at 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; (215) 336-2000.

FILM Who’s Got Short Shorts? A Program of Short Films Local filmmakers show their shorts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St.; [email protected].

Last Tango in Paris Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents the film starring Marlon Brando at 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.

The Next Up Short Film Showcase Reelblack, Philadelphia’s No. 1 promoter of African-American films, presents some of the best films from across the country and by area filmmakers, 7-9:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at International House, 3701 Chestnut St.; (215) 387-5125.

True Romance Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents the story of two lovers on the run at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.

BOOKS Writing for Our Lives: An Evening with Local Women Authors Victoria Brownworth, Becky Birtha, Cheril Clarke, Janet Mason and Ann Shade host a reading at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.

Deborah Willis The author of “Posing Beauty: African American Images from the 1890s to the Present” hosts a reading a 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Richard Dolan The author of “UFOs and the National Security State: The Cover Up Exposed” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

CABARET Andy Prescott The local piano bar entertainer performs from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 7, 21 and 28 at Bowman’s Tavern, 1600 River Road, New Hope; (215) 862-2972.

ETC Cirque Dreams: Holidaze The holiday spectacular in which performers pull off astonishing feats runs through Dec. 11 at Xanadu Theater at Trump Taj Mahal, 1000 Boardwalk Ave., Atlantic City; (609) 449-5150.

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