The following events are planned for the week ahead throughout the region:
• People’s Light presents the one-man play “Small,” a coming-of-age story that explores the complex realities of pursuing a dream at all costs, at its Malvern theater through Feb. 4. The play, written and performed by stage, film and television star Robert Montano (“Cats” on Broadway, “Barcelona” at People’s Light), is about a Long Island boy, who, bullied for his size, finds purpose atop a racehorse. As the young jockey starts to literally outgrow his childhood dream, he resorts to more and more extreme measures to remain “small” before ultimately finding freedom in a new path. The show contains depictions of disordered eating and drug use and is recommended for ages 14 and older. For tickets and more information, see peopleslight.org.
• SALT Performing Arts presents “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony award–winning composer of “Rent,” from Friday through Jan. 21 at its West Chester location at 19 Hagerty Blvd. The show tells the story of an aspiring composer who questions his life choices on the eve of his 30th birthday. His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city, his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue, and yet Jon is still waiting tables and trying to write the great American musical. “The big life question many people ask themselves — “Do I compromise on my dream or persevere?” — is at the center of this buoyant, joyous musical,” said Lauren McComas, president and artistic director of SALT Performing Arts. “Even amid angst, stress, and pressure, the characters are in love with their craft, making the best of much of what is in their world. Tick, Tick…Boom! will resonate with anyone working towards a creative career and the struggles of poverty, relationships, and other real-world issues that come with it. However, these pressures are what make the musical work with both joyful highs combined with heavy emotional lows.” The cast is led by Cameron Mast as Jon, Josué Aviles-Rivera as Michael and Genevieve Kline as Susan/Karessa. This weekend’s show times are 7 p.m. Friday (Dressy Attire & Champagne Opening Night), 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information, see saltpa.com.
• The Philadelphia Auto Show opens Saturday and runs through Jan. 21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday, noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 20 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 21. Highlights of this year’s show include the return of global manufacturers to the nearly 600,000-square-foot exhibit floor, displaying an impressive lineup of their latest products to hit the market, an expanded Custom Alley Display and the return of the Hollywood Rides area. Tickets cost $20 for ages 13 and older, $12 for ages 7 to 12, $15 for ages 62-plus and military, and free for children 6 and younger. To reserve or for more information, visit phillyautoshow.com.
• The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, Harrisburg. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Saturday, when it closes at 5 p.m. The event is the largest indoor agricultural expo in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 12,000-plus competitive events and exhibits, plus nearly 250 commercial exhibits and hundreds of educational and entertaining events. Among the highlights are the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Circuit Finals Rodeo at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free and parking is $15. For more information, see farmshow.pa.gov.
• The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks hosts the Log Home and Timber Frame Show on Friday 1 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Canna World Fair Show on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Greenberg’s Train and Toy Show on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For tickets and more information, see phillyexpocenter.com.
• The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading will host its Second Sunday Studio Crawl on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Artists on the second and third floors will be in their studios sharing their works and their inspiration. Admission is free. For more information, see goggleworks.org.
• Ardmore Music Hall kicks off the weekend on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with Rock Through the Ages featuring Countdown to Ecstasy playing its tribute to Steely Dan), So. Cental Rain playing the music of R.E.M. and Mas Tequila Orchestra playing Rockpile. On Friday at 8 p.m., the all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band Lez Zeppelin will play the 1970 Royal Albert Hall concert in its entirety. On Saturday, the Ardmore Winter Beer Fest starts at 12:30 p.m. and features music by Dad & Company. That night at 8, Unforgettable Fire presents its tribute to U2, with opener Kenn Kweder. And on Sunday at 7 p.m., Crack the Sky headlines, with opener Ghost of the Mill. For tickets and more information, see ardmoremusichall.com.
• The Newtown Theatre presents a tribute to The Smiths and Morrissey by the band Caligula Blushed on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $37. And on Saturday, Puppy Pals Live comes to the Newtown for shows at 3 (sold out) and 7 p.m. Puppy Pals Live is a family friendly show featuring adopted and rescued dogs performing spectacular stunts. Puppies and the audience will be led through challenging and comical tricks as the pooches show everyone who is boss. Tickets are $32 for adults and $27 for ages 12 and younger at thenewtowntheatre.com.
• Pottstown artist and mother Juliana Laury will present a lecture on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, entitled “How to Share Yourself Without Losing Yourself.” Laury has been working out of The Upstairs Studio Artists in Phoenixville since 2019 and has become known in the community for her unique three-dimensional artwork using a material called encaustic. She is also an avid photographer and writer who considers herself an “analog soul in a digital world.” Her talk will center on her journey to stillness and lay out four tips for initiating change for a simpler and more grounded approach to work and life. Tickets cost $20 at thecolonialtheatre.com.