WAR AND ‘WOOD’ Actor Samuel Calderon was playing a soldier in a play at the Haifa Theater in Israel when the Yom Kippur War broke out in 1973. He was soon drafted to fight, and he befriended a soldier who had the same name as the character he had portrayed onstage. It took Mr. Calderon two decades to feel comfortable sharing his experiences. The result is “Knock on Wood,” which is currently in its world-premiere run. Ruth Dytches directs. Through Saturday, June 11, Tuesday-Saturday, 7 p.m., 13th Street Repertory Theater, 50 W. 13th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-352-3101, $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

WHALE WIT A one-man version of “Moby-Dick” opens today. Playwright Christopher Moore portrays Ishmael, Quee-Queg, and Captain Ahab in the hourlong show. Previews begin: Today and tomorrow, 8 p.m. Opens: Thursday, 8 p.m. Runs: Through Sunday, June 19, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m., Metropolitan Playhouse, 220 E. 4th St., between avenues A and B, 212-995-5302, $15 general, $12 seniors and students.

AFTER THE REVOLUTION Joanna Chan’s new drama “Ren Ah, Ren” (“You, O You Humans”) is based on a 1980 novel by Dai HouYing about life in China after the Cultural Revolution. Ms. Chan directs for the Yangtze Repertory Theater of America. The play is performed in English. Tomorrow through Sunday, June 19, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m., Theater for the New City, Johnson Theater, 155 First Ave. at 10th Street, 212-254-1109, $15 general, $10 seniors and students.

To submit an event for consideration for the Calendar, please wire the particulars to calendar@nysun.com, placing the date of the event in the subject line.