Diversions: Dec. 18-24

THEATER A Christmas Carol/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.

Charlotte’s Web The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater presents the classic kids’ story through Dec. 19 on its Second Stage, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore; (610) 328-4271.

Crawling Fish Mummer Play Walking Fish Theatre presents a moveable play based on the Wantage Mummer Plays dating to medieval times, Dec. 19-Jan. 2, 2509 Frankford Ave.; (215) 427-9255.

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues BCKSEET Productions presents the return of this holiday black comedy in which 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.

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

Peter Pan The timeless story of Peter, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys hits the stage through Jan. 24 at Arden Theatre Company’s F. Otto Haas Stage, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

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 bestselling 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 The Glorious Sounds of Christmas The Philadelphia Orchestra performs timeless holiday classics at 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19 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, through Dec. 20 at Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

MUSIC other Anne McCue The out singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at PSALM Salon, 5841 Overbrook Ave.; (215) 477-7578.

Donna Jean Godchaux Band with Anne McCue The out singer-songwriter opens the show at 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive, New Hope; (215) 862-8300.

Rob Thomas The Matchbox 20 singer performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa/Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 317-1000.

A Jazz Holiday with The Eric Mintel Quartet The music of Vince Guaraldi from the beloved holiday classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is featured at 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave.; (215) 257-5808.

Moscow Boys Choir The renowned vocal group performs at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave.; (215) 257-5808.

Autumn Falls: A Solstice Benefit Concert Philadelphia’s best folk musicians perform a benefit concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Ronnie Spector’s Christmas Party The rock and pop singer performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

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.

Clublife The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts an exhibition by photographer Kalina Isato featuring transgender women, through Dec. 31, 1315 Spruce St.; www.transvamp.com/gallery.

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.

Men in Pearls Roni Cibischino pushed the limits of gender in her debut photographic exhibition, through Dec. 19 at Park Coffee House, 20 E. Sellers Ave., Ridley Park; www.parkhousecafe.com.

Naughty AxD Gallery presents grown-up holiday drawings by out artist Michael Broderick, through Dec. 31, 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 the talented 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 Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers The group’s INhale Performance Series is a community initiative to help local and emerging movement artists perform their work, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at CHI Movement Arts Center, 1316 S. Ninth St.; (267) 687-3739.

The Nutcracka: A Hip-Hop Nutcracker Remix Theater presents a hip-hop version of the classic ballet at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn; (856) 313-2093.

The Nutcracker The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the holiday classic through Dec. 31 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

FILM A Christmas Story This 1983 holiday film is screened at 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

It’s A Wonderful Life The holiday classic is screened at 2 p.m. Dec. 20 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Inglorious Basterds Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, starring Brad Pitt, is screened at 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.

BOOKS Dru Bruin The Butch Bear calendar coverman hosts a signing at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.

CABARET Big Mess Cabaret The group presents “Als Die Dinosaurier Die Erde Durchsteiften” (“When Dinosaurs Roamed the Earth”) at 8 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.

High Dramma Sketch Comedy Show Walking Fish Theatre company promises “dick jokes, violence and gallows humor” for this holiday-themed show, 9 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at 2509 Frankford Ave.; (215) 427-9255.

Peek-A-Boo Revue The award-winning neo-burlesque troupe performs at 7 and 10 p.m. Dec. 19 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

A Very Mary Christmas — Madonna’s Christmas Celebration with Mimi Imfurst The comedic cabaret show about the Virgin Mary kicks off at 9 p.m. Dec. 19 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

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

ETC A Longwood Gardens Christmas Visitors can enjoy elegantly decorated trees, waves of poinsettias, an outdoor light display and ice-skating performances, through Jan. 10 at Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square; (610) 388-1000.

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