8 pm: Theater

Joe Pintauro’s drama “The Dead Boy” is about a charismatic priest accused of sexual impropriety with a teenage boy. Making its U.S. premiere, the play features Stephen Nichols.

* “The Dead Boy,” Laurelgrove Theatre, 12265 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, Thursdays to Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. (except this Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m.) through August; then Fridays to Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Sept. 30. $20. (818) 760-8368, (818) 906-0675, (323) 930-9304.

8 pm: Jazz

The Jazz Bakery presents “A Midsummer Night’s Jazz,” starring pianist-composer Kenny Barron, an eight-time Grammy nominee, paired with violinist Regina Carter, plus Chilean singer Claudia Acuna and her quartet, at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.

* “A Midsummer Night’s Jazz,” John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, 8 p.m. $16 to $125. (310) 271-9839.

8 pm: Pop Music

As the story goes, Los Munequitos De Matanzas began the beat in a bar in Barrio Marina in Matanzas, Cuba. A group of young musicians there began pounding out a rhythm on dishware, bottles and tables while listening to a song by Arsenio Rodriguez, and the impromptu performances soon became a troupe of dancers, percussionists and singers that earned a reputation as one of Cuba’s most popular rumba bands. Maybe they’ll break some plates when they play the Wilshire Ebell Theater on Friday.

* Munequitos, Wilshire Ebell Theater, 4401 W. 8th St., L.A., 8 p.m. $16 to $26. (323) 855-3131.

8 pm: Dance

Showcasing California classical companies, BalletFest 2001 takes place all weekend in the Luckman Fine Arts Complex and Gallery at Cal State L.A. Besides summer workshops for the Royal Academy of Dancing and an exhibition of dance photographs by Donald Bradburn, three programs are scheduled. The participating companies Friday include L.A. Chamber Ballet, Pasadena Dance Theatre and San Pedro City Ballet. On Saturday, the lineup changes to Inland Pacific Ballet, California Ballet, Pasadena Dance Theatre, Francisco Martinez DanceTheatre and Sacramento Ballet. On Sunday, expect Francisco Martinez DanceTheatre, California Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Pasadena Dance Theatre and Inland Pacific Ballet.

* BalletFest 2001, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Different programs on Saturday, 8 p.m., and Sunday, 3 p.m. $25 to $30. (323) 343-6600.

8:30 pm: Music

John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra revive the program “The Great American Concert” this weekend, appending the qualifier “Heroes and Superheroes” as the program salutes war veterans, heroes of Broadway and cartoon-type superheroes. The program features vocal soloists Marin Mazzie and Rodney Gilfry and narrator William Warfield.

* “The Great American Concert,” Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 8:30 p.m. $3 to $85. Also Saturday, 8:30 p.m. (323) 850-2000.

7 pm: Jazz

For those who prefer their jazz with an ocean breeze, the 14th annual Long Beach Jazz Festival opens at Rainbow Lagoon Park on Friday with Michael Franks, Richard Elliott and Fattburger taking the stage. Saturday’s lineup will feature Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rick Braun, Arturo Sandoval, Roy Ayers, Eloise Laws, Chris Ho and the Los Angeles All Stars. Closing out the three-day event on Sunday will be Kirk Whalum, Wayman Tisdale & the Group Kombo, Poncho Sanchez, Nnenna Freelon, Barbara Morrison & the Al Williams Jazz Society, Marcus Miller and David Benoit.

* Long Beach Jazz Festival, Rainbow Lagoon Park, Shoreline Drive at Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, 7 to 10 p.m. Also Saturday and Sunday, 2 to 10:30 p.m. $30 to $150. (562) 424-0013.

*

Freebies

* The Hawaiian music and dance ensemble Hula Halau O Lilinoe performs mele chants sung to the accompaniment of gourd drums as part of the outdoor Grand Performances series at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A., noon. (213) 687-2159.

* Los Angeles mystery writer Robert Crais signs his latest thriller, “Hostage,” at Brentano’s Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., 7 p.m. (310) 785-0309.