The only thing more depressing than looking back on the horror show of 2017 is staring into the yawning abyss that is 2018. Or maybe the glass that is 2018 will be half-full instead of half-empty. Who knows?
Fortunately, there is a plethora of entertainment options on the horizon to give you temporary reprieve from whatever is stressing you. So break out your brand-spanking-new calendars and start making plans.
Comedy & Spoken Word
Michio Kaku
The theoretical physicist, futurist and author of “The Future of Humanity: Terraforming, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Henry Rollins: Travel Slideshow
The musician and writer performs a travel-themed audio-visual spoken-word show Jan. 25-26 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Julie Goldman and Brad Loekle
The out comedians perform 8 p.m. Feb. 3 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Judy Gold
The out Emmy Award-winning comedian performs 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show
The actor from “The Carol Burnett Show” and “Mama’s Family” performs 8 p.m. Feb. 16 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Roy Wood Jr.
The comedian seen on “The Daily Show” performs Feb. 16-18 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555.
Carson Kressley & Kristine W
The out TV personality and the popular dance recording artist team up for an evening of humor and music 8 p.m. March 17 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Dance
BodyVox
The innovative dance-theater troupe performs a compilation of its greatest works Jan. 18-21 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 267-239-2941.
Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal
NextMove Dance brings the best in international choreographers to the stage for a program highlighted by the Philadelphia premiere of “O Balcao de Amor” by Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili Feb. 15-18 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 267-239-2941.
Shen Yun 2018
The traditional Chinese-dance ensemble performs Feb. 24-March 11 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Peking Acrobats
The elite dance company makes its Annenberg Center debut March 9-10 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Company Wang-Ramirez
The dance company makes its Philadelphia debut with “Monchichi,” a full-length work created and performed by Sebastian Ramirez, a French man, and Honji Wong, a Korean woman, a couple on- and off-stage, March 15-18 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 267-239-2941.
Music
Enter Shikari
The hard-rock band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 3 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
The funk pioneers perform 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Machine Head
The metal band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Who’s Bad
The Michael Jackson tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
John 5 and The Creatures
The rock guitarist performs 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808.
Black Veil Brides and Asking Alexandria
The hard-rock bands perform 8:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
The Juice Crew Reunion
Classic hip-hop artists perform, including Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Kool G Rap, MC Lyte and more, 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
The U.K rock group fronted by the former Oasis guitarists and songwriter performs 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Gin Blossoms
The alternative-rock band celebrates the 20th anniversary of its breakthrough album “New Miserable Experience” 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
- Michelle
The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Howard Jones
The new-wave singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808.
Rachelle Ferrell
The R&B/soul singer performs 8 p.m. March 4 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Alive ‘75
The KISS tribute band performs 8 p.m. March 10 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Beth Ditto
The out rock singer performs 8 p.m. March 11 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Bianca Del Rio
The musician and drag star performs 8 p.m. March 16 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Nightwish
The symphonic metal band performs 8:30 p.m. March 16 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Blake Shelton
The country singer performs 7:30 p.m. March 17 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
K.D. Lang
The out singer celebrates the 25th anniversary of “Ingénue Redux” 8 p.m. March 23 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Theater
Next To Normal
Media Theater presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning play about how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness Jan. 31-Feb. 25, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Musical Thrones
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the theatrical parody of “Game of Thrones” Feb. 9-10 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Waitress
Broadway Philadelphia presents the hit musical by a groundbreaking all-female creative team about a pie-maker who dreams of a way out of a small town and loveless marriage, Feb. 13-18 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215-893-1999.
Ready Steady Yeti Go
Azuka Theatre presents the world-premiere drama about a romance that tries to bloom in the aftermath of a hate crime Feb. 21-March 11 at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-563-1100.
Something Rotten!
Broadway Philadelphia presents the Broadway hit set during the 1590s where two brothers are desperate to write a hit play to compete with Shakespeare Feb. 27-March 4 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Noises Off
Walnut Street Theatre presents the acclaimed comedy about a theatrical production teetering on the edge of calamity March 13-April 29, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
If/Then
Media Theater presents the Tony Award-winning musical March 14-April 1, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Rain
Broadway Philadelphia presents the musical theater tribute to the legendary Beatles, March 23-25 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.