GROWING UP IRISH Frank and Malachy McCourt grew up in poverty-stricken Limerick, Ireland, and eventually immigrated to Brooklyn, N.Y.

Frank wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angela’s Ashes,’’ and Malachy the New York Times bestseller “A Monk Swimming.’’

But before either of their novels were published, the brothers cowrote a two-man play, “A Couple of Blaguards,’’ about their young lives, adventures, and journeys.

Surprisingly, it’s a comedy.

The play is being presented in a limited run March 17 and 18 at the Larcom Theatre in Beverly.

Performances are 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday, which is St. Patrick’s Day, and 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $25 to $45. The theater is at 13 Wallis St.

Call 978-922-6313 or visit larcomtheatre.com.

A WORLD OF MUSIC The Cape Ann Symphony takes listeners on a global tour featuring music from Germany, Spain, and Japan during its March 20 concert in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

The program includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor; Russian guitar virtuoso Grisha Goryachev in his Cape Ann Symphony debut playing “Concierto de Aranjuez;’’ and the world premiere of “Araumi to Nagi (Stormy and Calm Seas)’’ from Boston-based Japanese composer Takashi Koto.

The concert is at 2 p.m. at Manchester Essex Regional High School, 36 Lincoln St.

Tickets are $40; $35 for senior citizens; $5 for age 18 and younger. Call 978-281-0543 or visit capeannsymphony.org.

BETS ARE ON The Saugus River Watershed Council hosts a fund-raiser, Casino Royale 2016, on March 18 in Memorial Hall, Melrose.

Professional gaming tables — managed by Boston Charity Casinos — feature roulette, black jack, craps, Texas hold’em, and poker.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door, and include admission to casino tables, gaming chips, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and prizes.

As a charity casino event, there are no cash prizes.

All proceeds support the Saugus River Watershed Council’s river restoration efforts and environmental education programs.

Checks with guest names can be sent to Saugus River Watershed Council, PO Box 1092, Saugus, MA 01906. Tickets also can be purchased online at saugusriver.org.

The event runs 7 to 11 p.m. Memorial Hall is at 590 Main St. Call 781-233-5046.

BEYOND THE FIDDLE Alba’s Edge — which fuses Scottish fiddle, jazz improvisation and harmony, funk bass lines, and rhythms of Latin America — performs at The Community House of Hamilton and Wenham on March 19.

The band is fronted by brother and sister Neil and Lilly Pearlman. Celtic influences were strong while they were growing up as the children of a fiddle player and step dancer.

Both have explored personal artistic journeys, leading them to develop their own music beyond the traditional.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at 284 Bay Road, South Hamilton. Tickets are $18 in advance at brownpapertickets.com; $23 at the door.

Call 978-468-4818 or visit communityhouse.org.

Wendy Killeen can be reached at wdkilleen@gmail.com.