Cornelius Davidson (left) and Ron Orbach star in “Ben Butler.”

Wednesday, September 26

Portland Stage opens its season with a production of Ben Butler, the historical drama about a runaway slave whose appearance at a Union Army fort leads to hard questions (and some good-natured laughs). It runs from Sept. 25 through Oct. 21; tonight’s preview performance is at 7:30 p.m. Tix: $31-$36. 774-0465. portlandstage.org.