Diversions: Dec. 25-31

THEATER 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.

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

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

The Moon is a Mirror Within Me Firebird-Light Productions presents a series of dramatic readings both ancient and contemporary, through Jan. 10 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio V, 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.

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.

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

World of Jewtopia The smash comedic off-Broadway hit stars Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson, through Dec. 27 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder? New City Stage Company presents the revival of Mark Medoff’s dark drama-comedy, through Jan. 10 at the Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 563-7500.

MUSIC classical New Year’s Eve Broadway and television star Audra McDonald joins members of the Philadelphia Orchestra to ring in 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

MUSIC other Real Diamond The Neil Diamond tribute act performs at 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 26 at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave.; (215) 257-5808.

The Roots The Philly R&B group performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 317-1000.

Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams The punk-progressive folk band performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Christine Havrilla The out singer-songwriter performs at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 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.

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 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 Elf The 2003 holiday film is screened at 2 p.m. Dec. 26 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

A Miracle on 34th Street The holiday classic is screened at 2 p.m. Dec. 27 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

The Polar Express The animated holiday film is screened at 2 p.m. Dec. 28 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

The Hangover The outrageous comedy film is screened at 8 p.m. Dec. 28 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483.

BOOKS Sarah Schulman and Eileen Myles The authors of “The Mere Future” and “The Importance of Being Iceland: Travel Essays on Art,” respectively, host a reading at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.

Voluptuous Spirits Poet Peter Covino and essayist Mary Cappello host a reading at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.

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

ETC Kwanza Extravaganza The William Way LGBT Community Center and Beta Phi Omega Sorority host a free cultural event, at 6 p.m. Dec. 26, 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220.

Mitch Fatel The quirky comedian from Comedy Central performs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 26 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001.

Newsletter Sign-up