Blizzard '96
Thirty inches of snow in Philadelphia. Schools closed for a week. Thousands of flights canceled. Comic genius. The Lunch Money troupe is banking on the fact that audiences recall the Blizzard of '96 with some fondness, as they present three stories of "snow, drugs, and rock and roll in the storm that kept most of northeast America indoors."
--Lori Hill
Sept. 6-7, 13-14, 8 p.m., $10, Ulana's, 205 Bainbridge St., 120 min.

Fidelio, by Ludwig van Beethoven
What better setting for a 19th-century opera about a prison break than, er, a 19th-century prison? Fidelio is the name adopted by the character Lenore when she dresses as a guard to free her politically incarcerated husband. Though it's a bit unclear how the orchestral accompaniment and staging will come into play, the monolithic Eastern State Penitentiary will make perfect scenery for The Other Company's performance of Beethoven's only opera.
--John Vettese
Sept. 2-4, 8 p.m., $15, Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd St. and Fairmount Ave., 150 min.

Fruitflies: The Musical
The Web site for this original musical features a clip of "Billy and Jack," a catchy number that describes love in an indie record store. Billed as "a musical about four ordinary people whose lives intertwine in a big city," Katie Stanislavskaya has composed, written, directed and produced what looks to be a feel-good hit.
--Nancy Armstrong
Sept. 7, 14, 9:30 p.m., Sept. 17, 5 p.m., $15, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St., 60 min.

Grass
Like most good artists, Vida (just Vida) wants to surprise you. For a previous Fringe project, she gilded pieces of trash — crumpled paper, etc. — and put it back on the ground. In its golden state, the debris was automatically more attractive, valuable even. This year, she's installing patches of lush green grass to create a piecemeal lawn on the sidewalks. So while you're Fringing, stop to admire this new bit of Old City horticulture.
--L.H.
Sept. 2-17, free, throughout festival, the streets of Old City.

Limelight Project
Limelight Project, Monica Bill Barnes' all-female romp, begins with multiple frolics in Love Park fountain, joined by some Frankford High kids. She's been sending her bathing-capped troupe into New York fountains, and creating a splash (sorry). So they're ready for Philly, where, if you want to know what it all means, she'll bring it together at Painted Bride with Thank You and Goodnight. Barnes hints at tragic undertones, but she also cites Esther Williams' influence.
--J.A.
Fountain Tour, Sept. 1, 1 p.m., Sept. 2 and 9, 12:15, 12:30 and 12:45 p.m., Sept. 10, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., free, Love Park, 15th St. and JFK Blvd., 12 min.; Thank You and Goodnight, Sept. 7, 9-10, 7 p.m., Sept. 11, 3 (with post-show discussion) and 7 p.m., $15, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 50 min.

Man or McEnroe
The career of tennis great John McEnroe was equal parts vitriol, showmanship, profanity and sheer talent. Just in time for McEnroe's U.S. Open commentary, Rutherford Chang presents Man or McEnroe, a funny look at The Brat's famous temper and controversial behavior through the performances of two actors who "insist the ball was on the line and they weren't hitting on your girlfriend, but it was and they were." Watch out for flying racquets.
--L.H.
Sept. 2-3, 8 p.m. and midnight, Sept. 4, 8 p.m., Sept. 7-8, 6 p.m., Sept. 9, midnight, Sept. 10, 4 p.m. and midnight, Sept. 11, 4 p.m., $5, MYX Gallery, 110 Church St., 50 min.

Medusa Sings the Blues
With a scowl and those signature serpentine locks, Medusa is reincarnated by local actress Hannah Tsapatoris as a cabaret diva. Bathed in blue light, she sings "I Will Survive" in a manner particular to infamously ugly, beheaded, snake-haired goddesses.
--P.R.
Sept. 8-10, 14-17, 8 p.m., $10, Medusa Lounge, 27 S. 21st St., 50 min.

Nudity Project: Performance and Workshop
In the buff, wearing one's birthday suit, au natural — however you call it, the act of being naked can evoke a slew of reactions. Enough so that Apparatus Collective has built an entire show based on responses received from various folks who were asked about their emotional and moral views concerning nudity and related issues. There's also a workshop on the how-to's of nude art-making. Both will no doubt be revealing.
--D.K.
Sept. 9, 9 p.m., Sept. 11, 4 p.m. (workshop) and 7 p.m. (performance), Sept. 17, 9 p.m., $15 performance, $10 workshop, Jim Graham Studios, 230 N. Second St., 55 min.

1WG… Melissa Gilbert, An Unauthorized Play
Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story, The Babymaker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story, Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story. Melissa Gilbert has starred in the made-for-Lifetime movies profiling these and so many more troubled women that it seems only fitting that she be the subject of a one-woman musical production. This one promises to be deliciously silly, with virtual appearances by Gilbert's famous real-life beau — keep your fingers crossed for Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise.
--N.A.
Sept. 11, 8 p.m., Sept. 12-15, 7 p.m., Sept. 14, 1 p.m., Sept. 16, 4 and 8 p.m., Sept. 17, 2 and 8 p.m., Sept. 18, 2 p.m., $15, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 90 min.

Pay Up
A few weeks before festival time, Pig Iron Theatre Co.'s Dito van Reigersberg is wandering around a large, empty room in the National Building that's been painted entirely white, talking about headphones, time clocks and marketplace values. The company's new show, Pay Up, is all about the bottom line. Pay your $15 at the door, get $5 back to spend however you'd like, as fast as you can, at 10 stations. They're calling it "choose-your-own-adventure experiential drama." We're calling it off-the-charts Pig Iron genius.
--L.H.
Sept. 2-4, 7-11, 14, 17, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 11 and 17, 2 p.m., Sept. 15 and 16, 9:30 p.m., $15, National Building, side door, 119 Arch St. 70 min.

Readers' Theatre: An Evening of Damon Runyon
Those who love Guys and Dolls will tell you that the reason is the talking. The snappy dialogue peppered with the vernacular of small-time crooks makes the musical that much more . . . well, musical. Damon Runyon's talent for creating a conversation worth listening to was honed in his short stories, promised here to be made larger-than-life.
--N.A.
Sept. 12, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Sept. 13, 9:30 p.m., free (suggested donation $15), Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St., 70 min.

Singles Improv: Get Caught In the Act of Being Yourself
Join psychotherapist (and improv coach) Susan Karol Martel for what appears to be two theatrical speed-dating sessions; the first meeting is for single men and women and the second is for lesbians only. And even if you don't meet that special someone, the experience alone will make a good story to tell your pals.
--N.A.
Sept. 11, 1 and 4 p.m., $10, Joe, A Fair Trade Coffee House, 1100 Walnut St., 120 min.

Tadhg Stray Wandered In
Tom Reing continues his mission to bring fresh Irish theater works to Philadelphia with this Michael Collins monologue play about a young man who leaves his hometown of Navan to chase after a girl. Eamon Owens (The Butcher Boy) starred in Dublin, but Philly's own Matt Pfeiffer can be counted on for a confident performance.
--L.H.
Sept. 9-13, 7 p.m., $10, The Adrienne Gallery, 2030 Sansom St., 65 min.

The Teachings of Chairman Rick
Nothing wrong with hitting the easy targets. Cabaret nutcase Tom Wilson Weinberg unearths hidden beauty in Sen. Santorum's speeches on everything from Terri Schiavo to gay marriage and sets them to a lively piano score. Stars Emmanuel Carrera, Melissa Kolczynski and Chy Spain.
--P.R.
Sept. 14-15, 8 p.m., Sept. 16-17, 7 and 9 p.m., $15, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., 60 min.