‘An Empty Plate in the Café Du Grand Boeuf‘

Opens Thursday. Performances run through May 17. Mad Horse Theatre Company, 24 Mosher St., South Portland, pay-what-you-can, reservations required. madhorse.com.

Mad Horse Theatre Company presents the Maine premier of Michael Hollinger’s “An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf.” Set during a summer night in Paris in 1961, the absurdist tragicomedy is centered on restaurant owner Victor and his decision to starve himself rather than face financial ruin. As the night unfolds, a cast of eccentric diners and staff remind Victor that life can still be worthwhile, even during hard times. Director Stacey Koloski said the play manages to be both “deeply philosophical and wildly entertaining.” During the run, Mad Horse will hold a food drive for the Maine Locker Project. Audience members are encouraged to bring a nonperishable donation.

Celtic Woman: A New Era

7:30 p.m. Friday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $45-$75, $100 meet & greet upgrade. statetheatreportland.com.

Get swept away by A New Era, the latest show from the internationally known ensemble Celtic Woman. With a nod to Irish music and cultural heritage, the evening features huge vocals, a band, dancers and a dazzling stage production. Sopranos Mairéad Carlin, Muirgen O’Mahony, Caitríona Sherlock and fiddle player Ciara Ní Mhurchú will put on a show that will include Enya’s “Orinoco Flow,” Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and traditional songs like “The Parting Glass” and “Amazing Grace.”

James Austin Johnson

7:30 p.m. Friday. The Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro, $41 in advance, $46 day of show. thewaldotheatre.org.
7 p.m. Saturday. Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St., Bangor, $27.35-$37.60. crossinsurancecenter.com.

Comic and actor James Austin Johnson is known for many things, including his portrayal of President Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.” Johnson has been an SNL cast member since 2021. In 2024, he voiced a character in “Inside Out 2” and made a cameo in the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” Other acting credits include “Better Call Saul,” “She Said” and “Hail, Caesar!” Here’s a chance to see Johnson perform stand-up live in two Maine venues.

Pine State Expo

4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Brick South at Thompson’s Point, 15 Resurgam Place, Portland, $20 Friday, $30 Saturday, $25 Sunday, $55 for weekend pass, $75 for three-day pass, $100 VIP, $10 kids 12 and under, kids 4 and under admitted free. vacationlandent.org.

Pine State Expo is a three-day pop culture convention that invites fans of comics and cosplay to have one heck of a good time. Celebrity guests include Richard Horvitz (voice of Alpha 5 on “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”), David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown in the “Terrifier” film franchise) and Melissa Fahn (voice of Gaz Membrane in “Invader Zim”), among several others. The gathering features artist and vendor booths, video games, panel discussions and the chance to snag autographs and photos.

‘Once Upon a Mattress’

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through May 3. Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., $37-$59. watervillecreates.org.

Head to Waterville for the delightful musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress.” Set long ago in a distant land, the show spins the tale of Queen Aggravain, who declares marriage illegal until her son, Prince Dauntless, finds a bride. When swamp princess Winnifred the Woebegone arrives, things take a very silly turn as the classic tale of “The Princess and the Pea” is transformed into a hilarious romp.

‘End of the World Never Minding’

7:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland, $25 in advance, $28 at the door, pay-what-you-can available. mayostreetarts.org.

Vermont puppet troupe Bread & Puppet Theatre is back in Portland with “End of the World Never Minding.” The show centers on rats who are tasked with spreading a plague and the topsy turvy toll it tales on mankind. With Bread & Puppet’s cardboard and papier-mâché creations, you had best buckle up for a weird and wonderful ride featuring stark honesty, humor and unflinching political wit.

Tig Notaro

9:30 p.m. Saturday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $39.50-$69.50, recommended for 18-plus. statetheatreportland.com

Grammy, Emmy and Oscar-nominated comic, writer, actress, podcast host and producer Tig Notaro brings her Out of Nowhere tour to Portland. While the early show is sold out, there are still plenty of tickets left for the late show. Notaro’s long list of career highlights includes Rolling Stone naming her one of the 50 best stand-up comics; several TV and film roles, including the semibiographical Amazon Prime Video series “One Mississippi;” and her New York Times bestselling memoir “I’m Just a Person.” Notaro has also recorded several stand-up specials, including “Boyish Girl Interrupted” and the animated “Drawn.”