Jean Tafler stars as Margaret Hamilton in “My Witch.” Photo by Michael Eric Berube
‘My Witch: The Margaret Hamilton Stories’
7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Carousel Music Theater, 196 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor, $25. boothbaysummertheater.com
Snowlion Repertory Company presents a bewitching one-woman show starring New York City’s Jean Tafler as character actress and part-time Mainer Margaret Hamilton (1902-85). Hamilton is best known for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz” but had an extensive career in other film, TV and theatrical productions. Tafler will regale audiences with tales about Hamilton’s career and life, and during “My Witch: The Margaret Hamilton Stories,” you’ll learn how Hamilton went from a kindergarten teacher to playing an unforgettable role. Grab tickets soon, my pretty!
PortFringe
Tuesday to Sunday. East Bayside locations, Portland, $15. portfringe.com
PortFringe is an annual non-mainstream theater festival that happens at multiple locations over several days in Portland. This year, five East Bayside venues will host performances of 16 shows, including “Go Bananas” by Amanda Huotari and “Story Time” by Brian Daly. You’d be wise to approach all of them with an open mind and an appetite for the offbeat. Grab tickets in advance, or show up 15 minutes before curtain for last-minute entry, depending on availability.
Phil Thompson as Norman and Barb Stauble as Ethel in “On Golden Pond” at Deertrees Theatre. Photo by Gail Phaneuf
‘On Golden Pond’
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday. Deertrees Theatre, 156 Deertrees Road, Harrison, $30. deertrees-theatre.org
Spend an evening or afternoon in Harrison with the aging couple Normal and Ethel Thayer (played by Phil Thompson and Bard Stauble). “On Golden Pond” tells the story of the Thayer’s 48th season in their Maine summer home and the navigation of Norman’s memory loss. Complicated family relationships arise when the Thayers’ daughter, Chelsea, arrives with her fiancé, Billy Ray, and his son.
You’ll be entertained by several adorable dogs during the Puppy Pals Live show on Friday in Portland. Annette Shaff/Shutterstock.com
Puppy Pals Live
7 p.m. Friday. Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, $32.75, $35.75. porttix.com
If you’re a dog owner or dog lover, you’ll be barking up the right tree by heading to Merrill Auditorium on Friday. Puppy Pals Live features adopted and rescued dogs performing stunts and tricks and living their best lives on stage. You’ll see several very good boys and girls led by trainer Wesley Williams performing feats of athleticism, speed and gravity defying aerodynamics. Rudy, Cash, Gizmo and Bindi are among the canine stars of the show, and they’re pawfully excited to see you.
Wavy Days Beer Fest
Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Thompson’s Point, Portland, 21-plus. mastlandingbrewing.com
Mast Landing Brewing presents its third annual Wavy Days Beer Fest. Tickets include unlimited samples of beers from more than 55 breweries, including Finback (New York), Ology Brewing Co. (Florida), Modist Brewing (Minneapolis) and Hoof Hearted Brewing (Ohio). There will also be at least nine food vendors and plenty of live music.
Maine Oyster Festival
Saturday and Sunday. Downtown Freeport. visitfreeport.com
The 3rd annual Maine Oyster Festival opens up on Friday from 5:30-9:30 p.m. with a gathering at Freeport Oyster Bar at 45 Main St. Enjoy samples, chats with farmers, live music and cocktails. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday with sea farmer meet-and-greets, all sorts of oysters, live music, and the Oyster of the Year awards ceremony. On Sunday, catch the speed-shucking contest at noon.
Magdelys Savigne and Elizabeth Rodriguez of OKAN. Photo courtesy of the artist
Okan
7:30 p.m. Saturday. Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave., $15 in advance, $30 day of show. boothbayoperahouse.com
Set your Saturday night on fire with music that fuses Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms. Canadian-based duo Okan is violinist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist Magdelys Savigne. Both sing, are Cuban-born and are Grammy nominees. You’ll hear tunes from the duo’s 2020 Juno award-winning album “Espiral,” home to the spellbinding songs “Trocada” and “Mercedes.” Last year, Okan released “Okantomi.”
Kathleen Madigan
7 p.m. Saturday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $34.75 to $69.75. statetheatreportland.com
At this point, there are only upper balcony seats left, but you’ll laugh just as hard during comic Kathleen Madigan’s visit to Portland as part of The Potluck Party tour. The wisecracker and host of “Madigan’s Pubcast” has been in the funny business for decades and has recorded multiple stand-up specials for HBO, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, among other platforms.
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