8 pm: Pop Music

No special effects, no guest stars, not even a title for the tour--just classic Eric Clapton, with the singer-guitarist dividing the evening into acoustic and electric portions.

* Eric Clapton, with Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack, Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., L.A., Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. $40 to $85. (213) 742-7340.

8 pm: Theater

“Tennessee Williams’ 27 Wagons ... and More,” directed by Avner Garbi with a cast of stage and screen veterans, presents three of Williams’ plays: “A Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot,” about women seeking diversion at a convention; “The Lady of Larkspur Lotion,” set in a New Orleans boarding house; and “27 Wagons Full of Cotton,” about a dark relationship that develops between the wife of a farmer and the manager of a farm.

* “Tennessee Williams’ 27 Wagons ... and More,” Egyptian Arena Theatre, 1625 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Sept. 23. $15. (310) 289-2999.

8 pm: Theater

Terrence McNally’s controversial off-Broadway drama “Corpus Christi,” making its L.A. premiere, is a retelling of the Christ story in which a young man, isolated and tormented because he is gay, leaves his 1950s Texas town to carry a message of love and tolerance. The production features stage direction by Kristin Hanggi and a score by Damon Intrabartolo, the creators of the hit pop musical “bare.”

* “Corpus Christi,” Lillian Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, Thursdays to Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends Oct. 21. $27.50. Information: (310) 289-2999.

8:30 pm: Music

A Latin Festival at Hollywood Bowl this weekend features pop-jazz soloists Albita and superstar trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, who join conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in music by Chabrier and Joaquin Rodrigo and a pop melange. Also on the bill: the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

* Los Angeles Philharmonic and guest soloists, Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m. $3 to $100. (323) 850-2000.

8:30 pm: Performance Art

Performance artists Raquel Salinas and Consuelo Flores reinterpret religious icons and confront cultural and societal expectations to empower women in a double bill, “La Virgen y la Santa,” featuring Salinas’ “La Virgen de Guadalupe” and Flores’ “Santa Divorciada.”

* “La Virgen y la Santa,” Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica, Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m. $12. (310) 315-1459.

all day: Movies

On a Greek island during World War II, a musically inclined officer in the occupying Italian army (Nicolas Cage) falls for a local (Penelope Cruz). Their romance is interrupted, however, when the conflict reaches the island’s shores in “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.” John Madden (“Shakespeare in Love”) directs Shawn Slovo’s adaptation of Louis de Bernieres’ novel.

* “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” rated R for some violence, sexuality and language, opens Friday in general release.

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Freebies

* Flamenco dance diva La Tania performs two programs in the Grand Performances series at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A., noon and 8 p.m. (213) 687-2159.

* “Beverly Hills Collects,” a new loan exhibition featuring works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Francesco Clemente, Alexis Smith and others, opens Friday at the Beverly Hills Municipal Gallery, City Hall, 450 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, 3 to 8 p.m. Other hours include Aug. 25, 3 to 8 p.m.; Sept. 1 and Oct. 6, 1 to 5 p.m.; Sept. 9, 3 to 6:30 p.m. (310) 285-1035.