Things to Do: A cabaret, a musical preview and a winter carnival

A rehearsal scene from “Arsenic and Old Lace” at The Grand. Photo by Kim Fitch

‘Arsenic and Old Lace’
7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. The Grand, 165 Main St., Ellsworth, $22, $15 students 17 and under. grandonline.org
You’ll find yourself entirely amused and entertained seeing the murderous drama unfold in the classic play “Arsenic and Old Lace.” The show, written by Joseph Kesselring, hit Broadway in 1941, and a New York Times review said it was “so funny that none of us will ever forget it.” One thing’s for sure, you’ll never look at a glass of elderberry wine the same way again. Bottoms up!

Signature cocktails at Maine Craft Distilling’s Winter Carnival. Photo by Caitlynn Willet

Winter Carnival
Friday through Feb. 26. Maine Craft Distilling, 123 Washington Ave., Portland. mainecraftdistilling.com
Maine Craft Distilling has caught winter fever and is going all-in for an entire week. Winter Carnival features live music, DJ sets, Nordic-themed drink and food specials, local art, outdoor games and activities for all ages, pig roasts, ax throwing, local art and distillery tours. Have an extra coat kicking around? Bring it for ongoing coat drive aimed at helping make sure every Mainer stays warm. The fun forges ahead regardless of what Old Man Winter has in store, so bundle up and be ready to revel.

See a preview of “Rhapsody in Black” in Kittery. Design by Stu Dias

‘Music From Rhapsody in Black’ – A Play By Najee Brown
7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Dance Hall, 7 Walker St., Kittery, $20. thedancehallkittery.org.
Make your way to Kittery to see a preview of Theater for People’s production of the musical “Rhapsody in Black,” written by Najee Brown. The show is all about Trinidad-born Hazel Scott, a champion for civil and women’s rights who moved to the U.S. when she was 4 years old in 1924 and played her first piano recital a year later. By 1938, Scott was cast in the Broadway musical “Sing Out the News,” recorded her first album and appeared in her first film. While her star rose, Scott made the news both for her work and her refusal to play for segregated audiences. During MLK’s historic March on Washington in 1963, Scott led one of her own in front of the American Embassy in Paris. The evening will highlight some of the show’s musical numbers sung by Ysanne.

Shannon Thurston in “Men: Things That Go Bump in the Night.” Photo by Steve Underwood

‘Men: Things That Go Bump in the Night’
7 p.m. Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Good Theater at St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland,$24. goodtheater.com
Shannon Thurston stars in a sassy and smart musical cabaret featuring Great American Songbook numbers like Rodgers and Hart’s 1943 tune “To Keep My Love Alive” and the more modern “Secret of Happiness” from the 2015 off-Broadway show “Daddy Long Legs.” “Men: Things That Go Bump in the Night” is an empowering show for feminists and their allies of all genders who want to laugh, feel good and tap their toes along to music that’s propelled by Thurston’s powerful pipes.