By Gloria Hayes Kremer
Correspondent

No need to zip over to New York to see a play or musical to satisfy your theatrical longings. Right here in our area, curtains are about to rise on an exciting fall season filled with great music and masterful performances — from the creative Philadelphia Live Arts Festival to the incomparable Philadelphia Orchestra performances to the extraordinary Cirque du Soleil. Here are some of the highlights.

— “Chicago”: What a dynamic, toe-tapping musical this is — it’s got everything … and now stars Jerry Springer. The production plays Sept. 15 to 20 at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1955.

— “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”: A fun-filled musical comedy about two con men on the Riviera who try to out-con each other. The Walnut Street Theatre production runs Sept. 8 to Oct. 25 at 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-574-3555.

Also, “Oliver,” Nov. 10 to Jan. 10.

— “An Evening with Mitch Albom and Friends”: The author of “Tuesdays with Morrie” brings James McBride (“The Color of Water”), popular TV personality Bob Costas and other celebrities in a benefit performance for three children’s charities. To celebrate Albom’s new book, “Have a Little Faith,” audience members receive a copy of the book. Reception and performance at the Bellevue, Broad and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia; 800-745-3000.

— “Boeing-Boeing”: Called “a delicious, delirious comedy” by The New York Times, you’ll enjoy watching a playboy in Paris played by the versatile Tony Braithwaite. The Act II Playhouse production runs Sept. 22 to Oct. 18 at 56 E. Butler Ave., in Ambler, 215-654-0200.

Also, “On Golden Pond,” Nov. 17 to Dec. 13.

— “The First Day of School”: “A soccer mom sex farce” in suburbia offers a comedy of parental manners. The 1812 Productions play runs Oct. 1 to 25 at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia; 215-592-9560.

Peter Nero & The Philly Pops: The popular “Broadway Showstoppers,” an exhilarating, fast-paced concert, features outstanding vocalists. The program runs Oct. 4 to 10 at the Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1955.

Also, “Menopause: The Musical,” Perelman Theater at the Kimmel, Sept. 29 to Oct. 4.

— “Alegria” by Cirque du Soleil: This amazing group of performers brings an awe-inspiring evening of almost unbelievable acts, from Oct. 13 to 15, at the Liacouras Center, Temple University campus, 1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia; 1-800-298-4200 or www.cirquedusoleil.com/alegria.

— “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity”: Good versus Evil is explored in the world of wrestling in this new drama by the InterAct Theatre production. which runs Oct. 23 to Nov. 22 at 2111 Sansom St., Philadelphia; 215-588-8079.

— “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”: Never too early for this classic holiday musical filled with sparkling singing and dancing. The new production runs Nov. 24 to 29 at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1955.

— “Humor Abuse”: An award-winning Off-Broadway play about the complexities of a father/son relationship. The Philadelphia Theatre Company production runs Sept. 25 to Oct. 25 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard streets, Philadelphia; 215-985-0420.

Also, “The Light in the Piazza,” Nov. 13 to Dec. 13.

— “How Theater Failed America”: This Philadelphia Live Arts Festival event is a serious yet comedic solo performance by Mike Daisey, running Sept. 4 and 5 at the Suzanne Roberts Theater, Broad and Lombard streets, Philadelphia; 215-985-0420.

— “Sweeney Todd”: The dark, stunning musical is another unforgettable creation by Stephen Sondheim. The Bucks County Theater production runs Oct. 1 to Nov. 8, at 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2041.

— “Nathan the Wise”: In the city of Jerusalem in 1192, there was apparent harmony among the divergent religions. The People’s Light & Theatre Company production runs Sept. 16 to Oct. 11 at 39 Conestoga Road in Malvern; 610-644-3500.

— Also “Absence,” Oct. 14 to Nov. 8.

— “The Philly Fan”: For sports enthusiasts, this journey through Philadelphia sports is a delight by playwright Bruce Graham. Actor Tom McCarthy truly delivers, Sept. 15 to Oct. 4 at the Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol, 215-785-0100.

Also, ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ Nov. 3 to 22.

— “Coming Home”: Master playwright Athol Fugard explores the hopes of a South African woman for a better life. The Wilma Theater production runs Oct. 14 to Nov. 15 at 265 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; 215-546-7824.

— Philadanco: This marvelous dance company offers a world premiere to celebrate its 40th anniversary season, Nov. 12 to 15 in the Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1955.

— “Madama Butterfly”: This glorious Puccini opera is sung in Italian with English translations. The Opera Company of Philadelphia production runs Oct. 9 to 18 at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; 215-732-8400.

— “Love’s Labour’s Lost”: The world-famous Shakespeare Globe Theatre brings this critically acclaimed production from London, Oct. 28 to 31 at the Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-898-3900.

— “Broadway: A Celebration”: A collection of Broadway favorites by the Dramateurs at Shannondell, 10000 Shannondell Drive, Audubon, Sept. 12 and 13; 610-539-BARN.

— “Night Watch” A dramatic suspense thriller produced by the Stagecrafters runs Sept. 8 to Oct. 3 at 8130 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill; 215-247-8881. — “Dial M for Murder”: Always a gripping and engrossing drama, this timeless play runs Sept. 24 to Nov. 1 at the Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley, Media; 610-565-4211.

— “Harvey”: The ageless comedy, perfect for all ages, is performed Sept. 18 to Oct. 4 by the Playmasters, 3401 State Road in Bensalem; 215-245-7850.

— “Bus Stop”: The riveting drama of lonely souls plays from Sept. 11 to Oct. 3 at 124 N. Main Street at The Montgomery Theater in Souderton; 215-723-9984.

— “Little Shop of Horrors”: Everybody had better beware as a life-sized plant turns carnivorous in the Theatre Horizon production, running Sept. 11 to Oct. 4 at Montgomery County Cultural Center, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown; 610-28302230.