COMEDYMatt&:ImprovComedy with an Audience MemberSunday, 7 p.m.Adrienne Theater2030SansomSt.Free,contact@phillyimprovtheater.comphillyimprovtheater.ticketleap.comIdeas from the audience are often the catalysts for a round ofimprov-— some games even involve bringing an audience member onstage — but this show pushes that concept to the limit. It’s just the PhillyImprovTheater’s Matt Holmes, one-on-one with a single audience member, for the whole hour. Other than that, it could go anywhere — most likely somewhere funny.MOVIES‘Which Way Home’Friday, 5 p.m.Nationalities Service Center, 1216 Arch St.Free, 215-893-840www.ncsphila.orgNationalities Service Center screens this 2009 documentary by RebeccaCammisa, which follows three boys as they embark on the dangerous border crossing from Central America to the United States on a freight train called The Beast. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the human side of the current immigration debates should check it out. A discussion follows the screening.‘TheNeverEndingStory’Saturday, 2 p.m.International House3701 Chestnut St.$5, 215-387-5125www.ihousephilly.orgThis screening of the wonderfully weird 1984 fantasy classic “TheNeverEndingStory” is timed for kids, but we’d be surprised if a few nostalgic adults didn’t show up too. Fun fact: MichaelEnde, the author of the novel on which the film was based, was deeply disappointed with the adaptation and sued to stop production.MUSICHeartbeatThursday, 7:30 p.m.Temple Performing Arts Center1837 N. Broad St.Free, 800-298-4200www.templeperformingartscenter.orgThis program brings together Israeli and Palestinian youth to form musical groups, demonstrating the possibility of peaceful, productive interaction between the two historically opposed peoples.FaustFriday, 8 p.m.Christ Church Philadelphia20 N. American St.$18-$30, 800-838-3006www.brownpapertickets.comConcertOPERApresents CharlesGounod’soperatic adaptation of the legend of Faust, the man who sells his soul to the Devil. A second performance takes place at International House on Sunday, and includes a preshow talk by Penn professor Christopher Pastor. Check the website for full details.THEATER‘MickleStreet’Through March 8Walnut Street Theater825 Walnut St.$30, 800-745-3000www.ticketmaster.comDuring one of his popular lecture tours, Oscar Wilde stopped in Camden to visit Walt Whitman, an elder and equally notorious writer whom he greatly admired. “I come as a poet to call upon a poet,” he supposedly said by way of introduction. This play by Michael Whistler, a world premiere, imagines that meeting.‘Stairs to the Roof’Through SundayLatvian Society531 N.7thSt.$10-$25, 267-273-1414www.egopo.orgEgoPoClassic Theater presents this lesser-known Tennessee Williams play, written before his more famous Southern gothic works. It’s a lighter play with fantasy and comedic elements, set in a dystopian future marked by industrial alienation, telling the story of a frustrated office clerk who discovers an escape from drudgery.BOOKSCatharinePriceThursday, 6 p.m.Penn Bookstore3601 Walnut St.Free, 215-898-7595www.upenn.bncollege.comCatharinePrice will discuss her most recent book,“Vitamania,” which explores the history of the vitamin and the vitamin supplement in America, separating science from marketing flimflam.DANCENora Gibson Contemporary BalletFriday and SaturdayThe Performance Garage1515 Brandywine St.$13-$18, 800-838-3006www.brownpapertickets.comChoreographer Nora Gibson presents her latest work, a piece for four dancers. Its subject, according to the synopsis, is “the beauty and opacity of prime number theory,” and it’s named for the largest prime number known: 2^57885161-1. Electronic composer Michael McDermott provides an original score. The evening also includes a performance from New York choreographer BrainKoulman, with live classical music accompaniment.ARTMaps forEarthmatesThursday through March 26Locust Moon Comics34 S.40thSt.Free267-403-2856www.locustmoon.comFor this series of images, local artist JoeyHartmann-Dowtook a bunch of maps and traced the geographic features on them as outlines for imaginary creatures, both human and animal. The hope is that we might better be able to relate to the earth as a cradle of life, rather than just a blue-green rock.FESTIVALMummers Mardi Gras ParadeSaturday, 10 a.m.to noonMain Street inManayunkwww.mummersmardigras.comThe weather may have stopped the party temporarily, but it can’t stop it forever. Celebrate a slightly belated Mardi Gras this Saturday with Mummers’ string bands as they sashay down Main Street fromShur’sLane to Green Lane. At the end of the parade, the bands will disperse to various area establishments to keep the party going. After all, this is Mardi Gras — it can’t just end at noon!
