Sign in to your TheaterMania account

For most, a pig would seem like the worst of suitors -- mired in muck that would sully even the most resilient bride and her gown -- but New Victory Theatre will host a British transplant that just might convince a few detractors. A co-production from The Opera Group, ROH2 at the Royal Opera House, and the Young Vic, The Enchanted Pig (February 5-21) is an off-beat fairytale opera about the young Princess Flora and her boar of a fiance. When she discovers that there's a handsome prince buried under all that mud, she decides to take a trip to the pigsty to rescue him from the horrible hex that has kept him so portly.

Further south, Madison Square Garden will host everyone's favorite red furry friend in When Elmo Grows Up (February 4-15), a musical show-and-tell with Elmo and all his Sesame Street Live friends. Join the gang as they talk about their dreams, and learn about perseverance, teamwork, and the power of imagination.

For another sideways tale, take a trip to Vital Theatre Company's Uncle Pirate (through February 28), and join Wilson when he discovers that his uncle is a real-life pirate. If witches are more of the right speed, Tribeca Performing Arts Center will host a musical production of Strega Nona (Febuary 6), an adaptation of the book by Tomie dePaola about a friendly magical witch who strives to cure the ills of her tiny Italian town of Calabria. When Big Anthony messes with her magical pasta pot, an ocean of pasta threatens to engulf the town unless Strega Nona can save the day.

Manhattan Children's Theater's will add a new frame to Margery Williams' classic tale in Chris Alonzo's adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit (February 27-April 18), the story of a stuffed rabbit's longing to be something more than sawdust and velveteen. In MCT's re-telling, two adult brothers rediscover the book while packing up their childhood home, and take a nostalgic joyride through the lively, funny, and heart-achingly beautiful story. Literally Alive will bring a different story of dreams in the face of adversity with their production of Cinderella (January 31-April 25) at Players Theatre. Created by Michael Sgouros and Brenda Bell, this new musical follows Cinderella from the cinders where her stepmother makes her sleep to the Prince's ball where she will capture his heart.