The Best Events This Month in Philadelphia
Our highly curated, strongly opinionated guide to things to do this month.
Wicked / Photograph by Joan Marcus
Theater
What the Constitution Means to Me • Philadelphia stage veteran Jennifer Childs directs this one-woman play about the fight over abortion. This is expected to be one of the most-produced plays in America next year. Through December 10th at the Arden.
Wicked • The musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz, which focuses on the early relationship between the two witches of that tale, is wicked good fun. November 1st through 26th at the Academy of Music.
Macbeth in Stride • A rock musical of the Bard’s tale, seen through the lens of Lady Macbeth. November 2nd through 19th at Philadelphia Theatre Company.
Fat Ham • Speaking of Shakespeare adaptations … From the mind of South Philly Pulitzer-winner James Ijames, it’s Hamlet transported to the backyard barbecue of a Black family down South, where Ijames grew up. November 24th through December 17th at the Wilma.
Company • Years before he wrote Sweeney Todd and Sunday in the Park with George, Stephen Sondheim penned this tale about love and marriage, most notable for the novel non-linear approach he takes to storytelling. November 28th through December 10th at the Forrest Theatre.
Comedy
“The Feast” • An evening of daring and experimental local comedy at an 11th Street modern art gallery. Three shows in one night. All are pay-what-you-can. November 18th at Vox Populi.
Tim Meadows • Best known for his hilarious portrayals of Oprah, Michael Jackson, and O.J. Simpson during his long tenure on SNL. November 24th through 26th at Helium.
Pete Davidson • My kids are totally and utterly heartbroken that this show featuring the former SNL cast member and also former Kim Kardashian bedfellow is for ages 21 and up. November 25th at Rivers Casino.
Museums
“Wondrous Space” • A new permanent exhibit at everybody’s favorite science museum focusing on fun subjects like black holes and space exploration. Opens November 4th at the Franklin Institute.
“Stephen Burks: Shelter in Place” • An exhibit focusing on the work of the New York-based industrial designer, who just won the 2023 Collab Design Excellence Award. Opens November 19th at Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Meshell Ndegeocello / Photograph via the Kurland Agency
Concerts
The Last Dinner Party • A quickly rising five-piece from Britain known for their innovative live shows that mix elements of theater and poetry with music featuring synths, lush guitars, and even a little flute and mandolin. Definitely nothing cookie-cutter about them. November 4th at Johnny Brenda’s.
Rod Wave • Probably not the first name that comes to mind when you think of hip-hop, but the fact is, he’s had three number one albums in three years, his recent Nostalgia having knocked Olivia Rodrigo out of pole position earlier this fall. November 9th at the Wells Fargo Center.
Exit Zero Jazz Festival • Exit Zero being the Garden State Parkway exit for Cape May, which is where this biannual music fest takes place. I’m most excited about Meshell Ndegeocello, but, this being a festival, there are plenty of other acts to see. November 10th through 12th at various locations.
10,000 Maniacs • Talk about a blast from the past. (Okay, not as much of a blast from the past as, say, Debbie Gibson and Taylor frigging Dayne, both of whom also hit the area this month, but still.) November 11th at Colonial Theater and November 12th at Ardmore Music Hall.
Tool • For fans of really, really loud and obnoxious and not particularly good songs with charming titles like “Hooker With a Penis” and “Prison Sex.” November 16th at the Wells Fargo Center.
Chicago & Friends • Those friends being everybody from guitar virtuoso Steve Vai to Robin “Blurred Lines” Thicke to pedal-steel wizard Robert Randolph. November 17th and 18th at Ocean Casino Resort.
Rosanne Cash • As in the daughter of Johnny. November 21st at World Cafe Live.
Monica • The return of the singer who gained fame and critical acclaim in the mid-’90s with her debut album Miss Thang. November 22nd at the Met.
Lil Uzi Vert • Yes, the Philly rapper who claimed to have a $24 million diamond embedded in their head. Just think of all the stories you’ll have to tell the next day at the Thanksgiving table. November 22nd at the Wells Fargo Center.
Anita Baker • Truly a class act. November 24th at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Sarah Brightman • The British singer has had quite the varied career. Disco in the ’70s. Then starring roles in Cats and Phantom of the Opera (granted, two of the worst big shows ever to open on Broadway — in my not-so-humble opinion). Then a classical-tinged solo career featuring her soaring soprano voice. This is her “Christmas Symphony” show, so you know what to expect. November 25th at Ocean Casino Resort.
Sports
Cowboys vs. Eagles • Let your hatred runneth over. November 5th at the Linc.
Celtics vs. Sixers • The rivalry continues. November 8th at the Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia Marathon Weekend • On your mark … November 17th through 19th in various locations.
Raging Bull / Photograph via Getty Images
Movies
The Nightmare Before Christmas • I’m not generally a fan of these movies with live Philadelphia Orchestra accompaniment. I mean, do we really need the music of Home Alone being played by our world-class symphony? I think not. That said, the score of this Tim Burton classic is as memorable as the animation. So, rare exception granted. November 24th through 26th at the Kimmel Center.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail • All together now: “Help! Help! I’m being repressed!” November 24th through 26th at the Colonial Theatre.
Raging Bull • One of Martin Scorsese’s greatest works. His Taxi Driver also screens here November 8th and 12th. November 29th and December 4th at Bryn Mawr Film Institute.
Published as “The Hit List” in the November 2023 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
