Scene from the Portland Stage Production of “Saint Dad” by Monica Wood.
‘Saint Dad’
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday (among other dates and times). Through Nov. 19. Portland Stage, 25 Forest Ave., Portland, $25 to $51. portlandstage.org.
Maine novelist and playwright Monica Wood strikes gold again with “Saint Dad,” directed by Sally Wood. The play examines Maine through the lens of class, family and cultural change as adult children are thrust into the difficulties when a deathly ill parent beats the odds to recover. Despite the seemingly dark subject matter, “Saint Dad” is actually a comedy which Wood, who has lived in Portland for more than four decades, wrote during the pandemic.
Jesse Thorn (left) and John Hodgman. Photo by Ibarionex Perello
Judge John Hodgman
8 p.m. Thursday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $30, $70 VIP meet & greet. statetheatreportland.com.
Fans of the long-running Judge John Hodgman podcast will want to grab tickets for the Maine stop of the show’s Van Freaks Road Show. Humorist, writer and actor Hodgman and his bailiff friend, Jesse Thorn, will crack you up while ruling on cases with a sense of legalese that is tongue in cheek and hilarious. If you’re going and would like to submit a case, head to maximumfun.org/jjho and submit your situation to the funny and fake internet judge.
Jennifer Porter and Dana Packard star in “Outside Mullingar.” Photo courtesy of Saco River Theatre
‘Outside Mullingar’
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Road, Buxton, $15. sacorivertheatre.org.
Anthony and Rosemary live on neighboring cattle farms in Ireland where a land ownership controversy has created a decades long rift, but that hasn’t stopped Rosemary’s crush on him. In John Patrick Shanley’s “Outside Mullingar,” you’ll grieve, laugh and be moved. The play, starring Dana Packard and Jennifer Porter, is a nod to the power of love. If your wallet is running on empty, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the production. Thursday night is pay-what-you-can.
A Dia de los Muertos altar will be part of the celebration at Urban Farm Fermentory in Portland on Saturday. Jorge A. Delgado/Shutterstock.com
Dia de Los Muertos
5:30 to 11 p.m. All ages until 8 p.m. Saturday. Urban Farm Fermentory, 200 Anderson St., Portland, free. wmpg.org.
Dia de los Muertos: A Celebration of Remembrance, Culture and Community is being presented with WMPG in collaboration with local members of the Latino community and the Department of Intercultural Affairs at the University of Southern Maine. Pam Chevez is curating. All are invited to gather at Urban Farm Fermentory. Lost ones will be remembered and you’re welcome to bring photos, flowers, mementos and offering that can be placed on a community altar, a practice that’s common in Mexico. Potluck dishes are also welcome. The evening also features storytelling, and after 8 p.m., music and dancing for those 21 years and older with music from WMPG’s Latine DJs.
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