Diversions: Oct. 29-Nov. 4

Theater Carrie Brat Productions presents out actor Erik Ranson playing the titular role in the stage version of this horror classic, through Nov. 7 at Underground Arts at the Wolf Building, 340 N. 12th St.; (215) 627-2577.

Far Away The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the story of a woman searching for human connection as a way to escape an all-consuming war raging throughout the world, through Oct. 30 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; (215) 898-3900.

Ghost-Writer Arden Theatre Company presents the story of a dead novelist and his secretary, who is still taking dictation from him, through Nov. 7, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

Jersey Boys The Kimmel Center’s Broadway series presents the award-winning musical about Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, through Dec. 12 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; (215) 790-5847.

Little Shop of Horrors New Candlelight Theatre presents the musical about a large talking plant with the taste for human blood, through Oct. 30, 2208 Millers Road, Ardentown, Del.; (302) 475-2313.

Monty Python’s Spamalot PNC Arts Alive presents the popular and zany medieval comedy through Nov. 20, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township, N.J.; (856) 858-5230.

Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom Azuka Theatre presents the story of parents who discover their teenagers are addicted to an online horror video game too realistic for comfort, through Oct. 31, 525 S. Fourth St.; (215) 733-0255.

Norma Doesmen Society Hill Playhouse presents a gender-bent, comedic take on “Sunset Boulevard,” through Nov. 7, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210.

Philly Fan The Kimmel Center presents the one-man show that takes the audience on a journey through Philadelphia sports history of the last 50 years, through Oct. 31 at Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Silverhill InterAct Theatre Company presents a new drama about a self-supporting utopian community whose well-being is challenged by capitalism, through Nov. 14 on the Mainstage of The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 568-8077.

The Threepenny Opera Arden Theatre Company presents the outrageous musical in which whores and thieves prowl the streets of London, through Nov. 7, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

Uncle Vanya Lantern Theater Company presents its first-ever production of a full-length Anton Chekhov work, through Nov. 21 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.; (215) 829-0395.

Why I’m Scared of Dance 1812 Productions presents a self-effacing comedy written and performed by Jen Childs, through Oct. 31 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; (215) 592-9560.

Music Joan Baez The Kimmel Center presents the folk-music star, 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

John Oates Half of Hall & Oates performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; (215) 257-5808.

Nézet-Séguin: Haydn to Mahler The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with the acclaimed Montréal-born Yannick Nézet-Séguin as guest musical director, Oct. 29-31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Michael Franti The eclectic R&B and rock artist performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (610) 784-5400.

Social Distortion The punk-rock band performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; (609) 345-8652.

The Black Crowes The rock band performs at 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 317-1000.

Sugartown Midnight Beat, Death Rattle, Workhorse III, The Tulanes and DJ Nattie Ice take the stage at the monthly show for lady DJs and rockers, 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Tritone, 1508 South St.; (215) 545-0475.

Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars The glammed-out David Bowie tribute act performs at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Creative Co-op, 535 South St.; (267) 603-3533.

Matt Duke presents Peter Gabriel’s “So” The singer-songwriter performs the classic album at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra The Kimmel Center presents the acclaimed orchestra, 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Exhibits Andre Gisson BOI’s of New Hope Art Gallery presents an exhibition of works by the French-American impressionist, through Oct. 31, 9 W. Mechanic St., New Hope; (215) 862-8292.

Art of the American Soldier The National Constitution Center presents the world-debut exhibition of at least 15,000 paintings and sketches created by 1,300 American soldiers in the line of duty, through Jan. 10, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6895.

Best of Show University of the Arts hosts an exhibition of The Photo Review 2010 Competition Prize Winners, through Dec. 10 at Gallery 1401, 14th floor of Terra Hall, 211 S. Broad St.; (215) 717-6300.

The Big Sea ArtStar Gallery presents an exhibition of works from artist Andrew Zangerle, through Nov. 21, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 238-1557.

Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt The Franklin Institute presents an exhibition of 150 artifacts from Egypt, through Jan. 2, 20th Street and the Parkway; (215) 448-1200.

Desert Jewels: North African Jewelry and Photography from the Xavier Guerrand-Hermes Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of jewelry and historic photographs from Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, through Dec. 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.

Eakins on Paper: Drawings and Watercolors from the Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of 10 rarely seen drawings and watercolors that survey the early work of Thomas Eakins, through December, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.

400 Same-Sex Couples: Facing Inequality Bucks County Community College hosts an exhibition of photos by Liz Bradbury of gay and lesbian couples as a public reminder that same-sex couples in Pennsylvania cannot marry, gain rights through civil unions and have no legal recognition, through Nov. 6 at Hicks Art Center Gallery, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown; (215) 968-8000.

A Glimpse of Paradise: Gold in Islamic Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the unique status of gold in Islam through a small group of objects drawn from the museum’s collection, through April 2011, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.

Passing Evidence AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of works by Christine Stoughton and Nancy Sophy, through Nov. 6, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.

Pleasures and Pastimes in Japanese Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of costumes, masks and poetry exploring the ways in which leisure time was interpreted across all social classes in Japanese art, through January, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.

The Visionary State: A Journey Through California’s Spiritual Landscape University of the Arts hosts an exhibition by photographer Michael Rauner taking the viewer on a tour of California’s more eccentric religious movements, through Dec. 10 at Gallery 1401, 15th floor of Terra Hall, 211 S. Broad St.; (215) 717-6300.

Dance FLY: Five First Ladies of Dance Painted Bride Arts Center presents a performance by Bebe Miller, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Germaine Acogny, Dianne McIntyre and Carmen de Lavallade, through Oct. 30, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9914.

Film It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown The kids’ classic is screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Carnival of Souls The cult horror film is screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory The classic children’s film is screened at 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-6888.

Books Edwidge Danticat The author of “Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work with Linh Dinh” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Cabaret Nancy Harms The cabaret singer performs at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

Liberty City Drag and Burlesque Four Year Anniversary Show The performers celebrate Halloween with Lance Fennig, Roi Ovarian, Miss Yvette and music by DJ Evil V, at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Tritone, 1508 South St.; (215) 545-0475.

Etc. Witches of GayBINGO Gershman Y hosts a raucous Halloween edition of the event benefiting local HIV/AIDS charities, 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 401 S. Broad St.; (215) 731-9255.

Margaret Cho The comedian performs at 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Caesars Circus Maximus, 2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City; (800) 745-3000.

Henri David Halloween 2010 The annual Halloween extravaganza kicks off at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th and Race streets; (215) 448-2000.

Woody’s Halloween Bash The bar hosts a 1980s-themed Halloween party, 9 p.m. Oct. 31, 202 S. 13th St.; (215) 545-1893.

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