Winter Preview 2020: Philly heats up in the new year

XANADU: Ginger Minj and Jinkx Monsoon

We’re just going to come out and say it — 2020 is going to be a weird, chaotic and borderline terrifying year.

As the warm glow of the holidays fades into what is sure to be a dark and chilly winter, we contemplate what lies ahead — a crazy election in a country teetering on the edge of self-inflicted insanity. You know, business as usual. Hopefully, spring and summer will swoop in to brighten things up a bit, but that’s all months away.

So what do we have to keep us distracted and entertained in the meantime?

A lot of great entertainment is coming through the area this winter to make us laugh, cry, party and dance the winter blues away. So get your brand new calendars and a pen ready to make some plans.

Art

Designs for Different Futures

Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring visionary and sometimes controversial designs that promise to transform how we live, eat, heal, travel and even love, in any number of possible futures, through March 8, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Diego Rivera: Frescoes

Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of murals the revered Mexican artist created in New York for display in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1931, through spring, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Comedy & Spoken Word

Todd Glass

The comedian seen on “The Daily Show” performs Jan. 16-19 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Steven Wright

The comedian performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Ross Matthews

The out TV personality tells stories live, 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Patton Oswalt

The comedian performs, 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour

Nene Leakes with special guests Loni Love, Adele Givens, Sherri Shepherd, Kym Whitley & B. Simone perform, 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; [email protected].

Tiffany Haddish

The comedian and actress performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Lewis Black: It Gets Better Every Day

The comedian performs, 8 p.m. March 6 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Tom Papa

The comedian performs, 8 p.m. March 7 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Xanadu: The Musical

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums, Ginger Minj and Jinkx Monsoon recreate the roller-skating musical, 8 p.m. March 21 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Dance

Dancing With the Stars Live

Contestants from the hit TV show perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Riverdance

Broadway Philadelphia presents the blockbuster musical, Jan. 21-26, at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Paul Taylor Dance Company

Dance Affiliates presents the acclaimed contemporary dance company, Jan. 24-25, at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Shen Yun

The classical Chinese dance show returns Feb. 12-March 1 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Mummenschanz

The world-renowned Swiss performance troupe performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

La Bayadère

The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Angel Corella’s restaging of the masterpiece, March 5-15, at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Trinity Irish Dance Company

Dance Affiliates presents the award-winning Irish dance company, March 27-28, at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Suspended in Time

The Pennsylvania Ballet performs three ballets by acclaimed choreographers, April 2-5 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Pilobolus

Dance Affiliates presents the acrobatic dance company, April 16-18, at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Music

The Prince Experience

The Prince tribute band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 11 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Chris Mann: From Gershwin to Gaga

The singer seen on “The Voice” performs at 8 p.m. Jan.16 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

The Motels, Bow Wow Wow and When in Rome

The ’80s new wave groups perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Cracker

The rock band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Snoop Dogg

The rapper performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.

Deadmau5

The electro-dance producer performs Jan. 23-24 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; [email protected].

Motionless in White and Beartooth

The hard rock bands perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.

Almost Queen

The Queen tribute band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.

Bob Mould

The out rock singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. Jan.28 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.

ABBA: The Concert, a tribute to ABBA

The music of the pop group is celebrated, 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at The Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 610-352-2887.

Who’s Bad

The Michael Jackson tribute band performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Boyz II Men

The R&B group performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; [email protected].

Jill Scott

The R&B singer-songwriter celebrates the 20th anniversary of her debut album with a performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Queensryche

The prog-rock band performs at 8 p.m., Feb. 19 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Angélique Kidjo

The Grammy Award-winning world music/R&B/jazz singer performs, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Celine Dion

The pop singer performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston starring Belinda Davids

The Whitney Houston tribute act performs at 8 p.m., March 6 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Squirrel Nut Zippers

The retro-swing band performs to celebrate their 25th anniversary at 8 p.m. March 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Billie Eilish

The pop singer performs at 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Kristin Chenoweth in Concert For The Girls

The Kimmel Center presents the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer, 8 p.m. March 13 at Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Christine Havrilla

The out singer-songwriter performs with her band Gypsy Fuzz, 8:30 p.m. March 14 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Ms. Lauryn Hill

The neo-soul/R&B/hip-hop singer performs, 9 p.m. March 14 at The Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 610-352-2887.

Mandy Moore

The pop singer and songwriter performs at 9 p.m. March 21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Third Eye Blind

The alt-rockers perform at 8 p.m. March 27 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.

Pussy Riot

The activist rock band performs at 8:30 p.m. April 3 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.

A Bowie Celebration

Bowie Alumni performs ‘Diamond Dogs’ & ‘Ziggy Stardust’ at 8 p.m. April 4 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Deafheaven

The alternative metal band performs at 8:30 p.m. April 4 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.

Theater

DRUMline Live

The Kimmel Center presents the show based on the high energy shows of the country’s best marching bands, Jan. 10-11 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

A Woman of No Importance

Walnut Street Theatre presents Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of errors, Jan. 14-March 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

The immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the journey of the successful folk-rock duo, Jan. 29-30, at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Everything is Wonderful

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of an Amish family struggling with issues of faith and forgiveness, Feb. 14-March 8 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.

Hello, Dolly

Broadway Philadelphia presents the classic comedic musical, Feb. 19-March 1, at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

SHIP

Azuka Theatre presents the story of a woman fresh out of rehab trying to return to glory in her hometown, Feb. 26-March 15, at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-563-1100.

The Best Man

Walnut Street Theatre presents the story of a political game of cat and mouse, March 10-April 26, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles

Broadway Philadelphia presents the musical chronicling the journey of the Fab Four, March 13-15 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Les Misérables

Broadway Philadelphia presents a new production of the Tony Award-winning musical set in 19th Century France, March 17-29 at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Broadway Philadelphia presents the iconic musical for its 50th Anniversary, April 7-12, at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. 

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