PICK OF THE DAY
Something’s fishy
Men cast the lines, but it’s mostly women who work the line in the Gloucester fish-processing plant in Israel Horovitz’s “North Shore Fish.” And it’s not local fish, it’s frozen fish from Japan. In his Pulitzer-nominated black comedy, Horovitz asks: “What happens to people’s dignity when their work is no longer useful or available?” Pictured (from left): Nancy E. Carroll, Thomas Philip O’Neill, and Lowell Byers. 8 p.m. (through Aug. 4). $40, $35 students and seniors, pay-what-you-can performance July 20 at 3 p.m. Gloucester Stage, 267 East Main St., Gloucester. 978-281-4433. www.gloucesterstage.com
THURSDAY
A visit to the other side At the annual Japanese Bon Festival, folks send messages to their departed loved ones. The Jamaica Plain Lantern Festival draws from this tradition with Japanese dance, Irish music, Gospel music, and paper lanterns. 6-9 p.m. (rain date July 25). Free ($10 donation requested per lantern; bring a flashlight). Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave., Jamaica Plain. 617-524-3150. www.foresthillstrust.org
Their storied pasts There’s no competition at this All Star Storytelling Show Time benefit for massmouth. Nosiree, the All Stars of massmouth who have already won story slams will tell their audience faves. 7-9 p.m. $20, $25 at the door. Davis Square Theatre, 255 Elm St., Somerville. 617-942-2553. www.massmouth.ning.com
Fathers and sons We miss his crusty Toby Ziegler from “The West Wing,” but actor Richard Schiff is here to star in Chaim Potok’s “The Chosen,” a story about two boys, two fathers, and two Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Schiff plays Reb Saunders, a religious fanatic and controlling father. 8 p.m. (through Aug. 3). $15, $20 (previews through July 20); $20 and up; $34 (matinees) and $39 for seniors. Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. 413-236-8888. www.barringtonstageco.org
Institute of sound Students, alumni, and faculty from Berklee College of Music are all over the city this summer, including the Institute of Contemporary Art. HarborWalk Sounds presents jazz, world, pop, folk, and Thursday’s double bill of We Avalanche and The Dwells. The former has been described as your favorite band that “forgot how to play their instruments.” 6-8:30 p.m. Free (galleries free from 5-9 p.m.; series runs through Aug. 29). The Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. 617-478-3100. www.icaboston.org
FRIDAY
Dishing You might shake your head in agreement at Nora & Delia Ephron’s “Love, Loss, and What I Wore.” Based on Ilene Beckerman’s book, the stories cover everything from first bras to outfits that caused your mother to remark that you would not leave the house wearing that.
July 19 at 8 p.m. (through Aug. 3). Pay-what-you-can performances (donations of gently worn clothing welcome). First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough St., Boston.
www.hubtheatreboston.ticketleap.com
SATURDAY
Guess who’s coming to the Calderwood Think of this as a recital at the end of the year where you get to see the result of hard work. For two weeks, members of the Huntington Theatre Company’s Playwriting Fellows program have been writing, rewriting, and giving legs to four original plays. First up at The Huntington Theatre Company’s Summer Workshop Readings is Lenelle Moïse’s “The Many Faces of Nia” about a Jewish housewife who finds out her son is dating a black woman.
July 20 at 5 p.m., July 21 at 2 p.m. Free (reservations required). Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St., Boston. 617-266-0800. www.huntingtontheatre.org/summerworkshop
