STARTING THE HOLIDAYS WITH A BANG: Is there anything more American than a boy who wants a gun for Christmas? Based on the beloved classic holiday film, “A Christmas Story, The Musical” follows Ralphie and his quest to get the BB gun he wants for Christmas, Nov. 10-Jan. 10 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550.
Theater & Arts
Alan Cuming
The out actor and author hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a survey of American still life in three decades through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Billy Elliot
Media Theatre presents the story of one boy’s passion for ballet over the boxing ring Nov. 18-Jan. 3, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Copland’s Appalachian Spring
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs music inspired by American composer and jazz trumpeter Hannibal, which includes spiritual, blues and traditional African rhythms, Nov. 13-15 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Genghis Khan: Bring the Legend to Life
The Franklin Institute presents the story of one of the world’s greatest leaders through Jan. 3, 20th Street and the Parkway; www.fi.edu.
The Laramie Project
The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts presents the play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project created in reaction to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo., through Nov. 15 at Charter Arts Black Box Theatre, 321 E. Third St., Bethlehem; www.CharterArts.org.
Lights Rise on Grace
Azuka Theatre presents the story of three broken but brave lovers trying to hold a family together, through Nov. 22 at Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-567-2848.
Matilda: The Musical
The musical based on the beloved novel runs Nov. 17-29 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Multitude, Solitude: The Photographs of Dave Heath
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the acclaimed photographer’s black-and-white pictures of the 1950s and ’60s through Feb. 21, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
One Land, One River, One People
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 13-15 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
River North Dance Chicago
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the Chicago-based jazz dance group Nov. 20-21 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Take Two: Contemporary Photographs
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring how contemporary artists have responded to changes in culture and technology through Nov. 15, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Tchaikovsky’s Winter Dreams
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with violinist Leonidas Kavakos Nov. 19-21 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Tyler Perry’s Madea on the Run
Tyler Perry’s outrageous comedy comes to town through Nov. 15 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
The Wrath of the Gods: Masterpieces by Rubens, Michelangelo and Titian
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the creative processes of some of art history’s most important figures, through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
SWEET MOVES: Hula-Hooping “boylesque” star and Mr. Everything season-two winner La Dolce Spina brings his brand of creative showmanship to his own starring show, with Josh Schonewolf Presents: Candy Shoppe, Nov. 15 at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St. Other performers include Ariel Versace, Mistor Fahrenheit, Sharp Robert, Aurora Whorealis, Mora Love, Cameron Catastrophe and Abowla Dix. Doors open at 9 p.m. The show starts at 10.
Music
Carly Rae Jepsen
The Canadian pop singer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Minus the Bear
The Seattle-based rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Rhonda Ross
The jazz/neo-soul singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Rrazz Room at The Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-422-4580.
Heaven’s Edge and Britny Fox
The glam-rock bands perform 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Onyx
The rap group performs 9 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Puscifer
The alt-rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-309-0150.
Azealia Banks
The rapper performs 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Cory Wade
The out model and rock singer-songwriter performs 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0770.
Nightlife
Glitter and Garbage
Shannon Turner brings her punk cabaret to town 9 p.m. Nov. 13 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215-592-0656.
Varla Jean Merman’s Big Black Hole
The comedic-space cabaret starring Jeffrey Roberson comes to town 7 and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Rrazz Room at The Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-422-4580.
What Makes Me Pissi
Drag performers BEV, Christy Girlington and Sherry Vine perform 9 p.m. Nov. 14 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215-592-0656.
November Back 2 Basics: Return of DJ NiiLo
The queer dance party kicks off 11 p.m. Nov. 14 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.
Drag Mafia Drag Brunch
Drag performers entertain starting at noon Nov. 15 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.
Lil’ Steph presents RASPUTIN’S ROOM
The burlesque show begins 9 p.m. Nov. 20 at Second Story, 1700 S. Columbus Blvd.; 215-463-6900.
Stimulus: 7th Annual Black and White Party
The LGBTQ dance party celebrates from 11 p.m.-4:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215-735-5772
Outta Town
Mary J. Blige
The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Labyrinth
The fantasy film starring David Bowie is screened 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228.
The Third Man
The classic Orson Welles film is screened 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228.
Lewis Black
The comedian performs 9 p.m. Nov. 20-21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
MST3K: Pumaman
The pulp sci-fi film is screened and skewered 9:45 p.m. Nov. 20 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228.