Arts List: 6 Shows to See This Week

Owen Metsileng is Macbeth and Nobulumko Mngxekeza is Lady Macbeth in Third World Bunfight’s Fringe Festival show. Photo by Nicky Newman

Macbeth @ Prince Theater | Friday, September 23
The Saturday and Sunday performances of this Fringe Festival offering from Third World Bunfight are sold out, but you can still get tickets to the dress rehearsal on Friday afternoon. The show sets a condensed version of the Verdi opera in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the warlord General Macbeth and his wife murder the king.

Mrs. Warren’s Profession @ Lantern Theater Company | Through October 9
George Bernard Shaw’s society-skewering comedy gets a “highly enjoyable and gripping” production from Lantern Theater Company, thanks in large part to Mary Martello in the title role, writes theater critic David Fox in his review.

Stupid Fucking Bird @ Arden Theatre Company | Through October 16
Arden co-founder Aaron Posner comes back to Philly to direct his award-winning “sort of” adaptation of Chekhov’s The Seagull.

King John @ Hawthorne Park | September 21 to October 1
Revolution Shakespeare sets King John after the collapse of civilization in the (distant?) future in this free, outdoor production with original songs. It’s up to Philip the Bastard to save the day. The first two nights are previews.

South Pacific @ Walnut Street Theatre | Through October 23
Theater critic David Fox calls this Rodgers & Hammerstein show at the Walnut an “often-smashing production” with a “superb” ensemble, though he does add that some aspects of the 1949 musical haven’t aged well.

Turandot @ Opera Philadelphia | September 23 to October 2
Puccini’s epic Turandot, set in ancient China, is about a princess and her suitors, who are given the choice of answering a riddle correctly or losing their heads. It features the famous aria “Nessun dorma” (and, presumably, some people losing their heads). You can also check out a free broadcast of the show during Opera on the Mall.

Follow @RachelVigoda on twitter.