Boston can always count on a few things happening in March: A massive St. Patrick’s Day parade in Southie, an excess of green-clad revelers in local pubs, and a handful of sell-out shows from the Dropkick Murphys.

Speakeasy Stage Company’s next production is a big one—in more ways than one. Starting on March 7, they’re staging Samuel D. Hunter’s The Whale, a tragicomedy about a morbidly obese man making one last desperate attempt to connect with his teenage daughter. We chatted with the star of the show, John Kuntz, about smells, prosthetics and the fat suit.

BroadwayWorld Boston recently announced the winners of its 2013 Theater Awards, as voted by the public. The American Repertory Theater dominated the competition with awards for Pippin (Best Actress in a Musical Rachel Bay Jones, Best Costume Design, Best Musical, and more), All the Way (Best Actor Bryan Cranston, Best New Play, pictured) and The Glass Menagerie (Best Actress in a Play Celia Keenan-Bolger, Best Director John Tiffany, Best Sound Design).

Tracy Morgan, who rose to fame on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock,” is at the tail end of his Excuse My French tour, which makes a stop at the Wilbur Theatre on March 1.

 Whether you love it or hate it, you've got to admit that the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy practically invites parodies—and there are plenty to choose from. Playing at the Wilbur on Sun. Feb. 23, Spank! Harder is the sequel to 2013's musical satire Spank! We chatted with Michelle Miracle (yes, that's her real name), who plays the author, "E.B. Janet."

 As far as Paul Wahlberg is concerned, his brothers Mark and Donnie can have Hollywood; he’s perfectly happy in Hingham. The chef and owner of South Shore restaurants Wahlburgers and Alma Nove has never felt the urge to follow in his little brothers’ footsteps, so it’s a bit ironic that he’s now co-starring in a new reality TV show.

 If The Three Stooges decided to multiply and create a circus company, it would probably end up being a lot like Circus Oz. The Australian company was founded in 1977, and its most recent show, “Cranked Up,” was inspired by the iconic "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper" photo.

How does comedian Mike Birbiglia know his career is in a good place? Because his audiences actually recognize him. “These days people come out to see me on purpose,” he says, laughing. “I feel like I’ve weeded out the people who aren’t into it and now it’s just people who are excited to be there. It’s a lot more like performing for your friends than it was when I started.”