UApresents

This eclectic series celebrates its 10th season with the usual assortment of crazed Korean chefs, human pretzels and theater for the deaf. That would be "What's Cookin'?" (March 29-April 3), Pilobolus Dance Theater (Feb. 13) and "Big River" (Jan. 5-9). The menu at the University of Arizona's Centennial Hall is too extensive to give more than a taste of its offerings here, but they include music (classical, jazz, blues), dance (Irish, Chinese, Russian), world rhythm (African, American Indian) and family shows.

There are numerous options for single tickets or packages. Individually, events run from about $18 to $60. For information, call 621-3341 or visit uapresents.arizona.edu.

Arizona Theatre Company

The swordplay is all in fun in Gilbert & Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance" (Nov. 27-Dec. 22). The murderous intent comes later in the season with "Macbeth" (April 9-30). In the middle are "For Better or Worse," two one-act comedies based on plays by Georges Feydeau (Jan. 15-Feb. 5) and "Permanent Collection," billed as an "electrifying battle over race, art and personal power" (Feb. 26-March 19).

All performances are at the Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tickets, $26 to $48. For information, visit www.aztheatreco.org or call 622-2823.

Arizona Opera Company

Gioacchino Rossini's version of "Cinderella" (Nov. 12-14) doesn't have a glass slipper, but the mean stepsisters are intact. Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte" (Jan. 21-23) involves suitors seeking to seduce each other's fiancee. If following a plot is too demanding for you, "Encore! An Evening of Opera Favorites" (Feb. 7) offers an evening of ear candy. The season wraps up with Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Consul" (April 15-17) finishes the season with an English-language opera about a family trying to flee tyranny and getting caught up in a bureaucratic nightmare.

All performances at TCC Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets $25 to $115. Call 293-4336 or visit www.arizonaopera.com.

Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Roll over Beethoven, and tell Tchaikovsky the news: TSO will present Beatlemania! Feb. 12, with instrumental renditions of "A Hard Day's Night," "Yesterday," "All You Need is Love," "Penny Lane" and "Eleanor Rigby."

December continues the tradition of a community performance of Handel's Messiah at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive (Dec. 3-5). The orchestra runs several series: Classic, Masterworks Chamber, Pops and Ensemble. There are also Moveable Musical Feasts at various venues, including the Arizona Inn and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Beethoven and Tchaikovsky get their due, too, with two Beethoven Festivals (Feb. 10, 11 and 13; March 17, 18 and 20), and one Tchaikovsky (Jan. 5), featuring "classical music's hottest violin virtuoso," Joshua Bell. Oh, and there's a children's series as well. Most performances are at the TCC Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave., but community locales are also used. Tickets generally $21-$49. Call 792-9155 or visit www.tucsonsymphony.org.