‘Between the Covers’

7 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Through Oct. 3. Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, $25. thefootlightstheatre.com.

The Footlights Theatre kicks off its 14th season on a comedic note with Burke Martin’s “Between the Covers.” The fast-paced, naughty comedy centers around the members of a women’s book club, who rarely discuss what they’re actually reading. Instead, secrets are revealed and lives are deconstructed as friendship is celebrated with nonstop laughs.

8 p.m. Friday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $25-$45. statetheatreportland.com.

Bluegrass singer-songwriter and mandolinist Sierra Hull hits the State Theatre stage on Friday. The two-time Grammy nominee’s six-album discography includes last year’s “A Tip Toe High Wire.” Known for her virtuosic level of musicianship, Hull has worked with the likes of Alison Krauss, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton and Bobby McFerrin, among others. Hull’s latest release is the single “Feelin’ Good Again,” a collaboration with Turnpike Troubadours.

Puppet Motion’s ‘Judy Punches Back’

6 p.m. Friday. Congress Square Park, Portland, 10 a.m. and noon Saturday, Deering Oaks Park, Portland, free, RSVP appreciated. porttix.com.

Massachusetts-based Puppet Motion’s “Judy Punches Back” is a modern take on the British puppet show “Punch and Judy.” After four centuries of being pushed around, hand puppet Judy reaches her breaking point. Her quest for respect, justice and a much-needed nap is a laugh-inducing farce suitable for all ages. “Judy Punches Back” has a 45-minute runtime.

The Umbilical Brothers

7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21. Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water St., Gardiner, $40. johnsonhall.org.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. Sanford Performing Arts Center, 100 Alumni Boulevard, Sanford, $38-$58. sanfordpac.org.

Physical comedy duo The Umbilical Brothers bring their entertaining antics to Maine for performances in Gardiner and Sanford. (Courtesy of The Umbilical Brothers)

Australian comedy duo The Umbilical Brothers are David Collins and Shane Dundas. You’ve got two chances to see them perform shows that combine physical comedy, vocal sound effects and verbal interplay. The show is called The Best of The Worst of The Best and will showcase the many reasons the pair are an international sensation. Grab a ticket to either Gardiner or Sanford, and try to keep up with their blazing shenanigans.

Vigorous Tenderness: A Fall Equinox Concert

5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. Old Town House Park, Route 9, North Yarmouth, sliding scale, $30 recommended donation. vigoroustenderness.org.

Tracy McMullen playing soprano sax at Old Town House Park in Yarmouth where the Vigorous Tenderness immersive concert will take place on Sept. 22. (Photo by Jan Piribeck)

Vigorous Tenderness is immersive, outdoor musical performances that take place four times a year at the start of each season. Their purpose is to amplify marginalized voices in classical music and democratize new, experimental music. The fall equinox concert features more than 16 Maine musicians, including Brian Shankar Adler, Ellie Bergeron Aker, Nick Bear, Maggie Cerjan and Sophie Flood. As you roam around Old Town House Park, you’ll encounter seven chamber ensembles playing pieces by Jonathan Bailey Holland, Yoshi Weinberg and Salina Fisher, among other composers. Rain date is Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Liz Phair

8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $55 in advance, $60 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.

Singer-songwriter Liz Phair released her critically acclaimed debut album “Exile In Guyville” in 1993. Home to songs like “6’1″,” “Never Said” and “Divorce Song,” the album made it onto several end of year “best of” lists. Six albums have followed, so Phair will have plenty of tunes to choose from when she takes the stage in Portland. Frankie Cosmos, the moniker of Greta Kline, opens the show.

History Through Performance: 200th Anniversary of First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Portland Benefit Concert

7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., Portland, $25. eventbrite.com.

Help First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in downtown Portland mark its 200th anniversary. The evening features spoken word and music from Christian Clough (organist), David Lonebear Sanipass (native flute player and storyteller), Palaver Strings (string ensemble), Samuel James (blues musician, storyteller), students from The Telling Room and singer-songwriter Max Garcia Conover with guests. The weeklong celebration runs from Sept. 20-27, and includes a panel discussion of leading historians in partnership with the Maine Historical Society and Longfellow Books on Sept. 22, public church tours, a garden party, special services and a collaboration with State Theatre and Portland Ovations to present “Travesty” with drag artist Sasha Velour on Sept. 25. See the full schedule at firstparishportland.org.