8 pm: Theater

Noted director Martin Magner celebrates his 99th birthday by staging the West Coast premiere of Thomas Hurlimann’s drama “The Envoy,” about the power of darkness as a Swiss official risks doing evil to save his country when Nazi occupation threatens.

* “The Envoy,” Lee Strasberg Creative Center, Marilyn Monroe Theatre, 7936 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. through May 22. $15. (323) 660-8587.

7:30 pm: Student Opera

Handel meets hip-hop in the hands of students from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Under the direction of mezzo-soprano Stephanie Vlahos, 22 14- to 17-year-olds will re-create the story of “Alcina,” an enchantress who lures sailors to her island. Since Handel wrote the opera 365 years ago, it’s only been performed twice in the United States--although this production undoubtedly goes beyond what the composer had in mind: eight dancing geese on a hip-hop adventure with “Star Wars” overtones.

* “Alcina,” Luckman Theatre, Cal State L.A. Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. $10. (323) 343-2659.

8 pm: Pop Music

The operatic/Broadway/cabaret/pop of Rufus Wainwright has placed the young performer on the fast track with critics and his cult, and there are signs that word is spreading. Australian wunderkind Ben Lee joins Wainwright at the Henry Fonda Theatre.

* Rufus Wainwright, Ben Lee, Henry Fonda Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 8 p.m. $21. (323) 480-3232.

8 pm: Dance

Merce Cunningham turns 80 Friday, no longer feared or futuristic, but simply an artist who has lived long enough to see his once-startling innovations in movement sequencing, the use of space, reliance on technology and concepts of collaboration become accepted and even copied as hallmarks of Modernism. An early experimenter with film- and video-dance, he now choreographs with the aid of computer software, but his work remains humane and gentle as it evolves from one magical link between dancers to the next--always celebrating the moment and the act of dancing in some new or special way. Lucky the century that holds such a visionary, lucky the audience that can share a milestone in such an eventful life.

* Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood. 8 p.m.: “Windows,” “Pond Way,” “CRWDSPCR.” Also Saturday, 8 p.m.: “Rondo,” “CRWDSPCR,” “Ground Level Overlay.” $25 to $40. (310) 825-2101.

8:15 pm: Pop Music

Dru Hill has racked up eight No. 1 singles in its short career, and the Baltimore R&B; group comes to town headlining a potent bill that also includes Faith Evans and Total. Though known as a vocal ensemble, the Dru crew will flash its instrumental chops on some custom-made dragon guitars.

* Dru Hill, Faith Evans, Total, Case, Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 8:15 p.m. $43.50 and $48.50. (818) 622-4440.

8 pm: Theater

The West Coast premiere of “Two Planks and a Passion,” a comedy by Academy Award-winning director Anthony Minghella (“The English Patient”), will be presented by California Repertory Company. Set in 1392 York, the play revolves around a visit by Richard II, his queen, Anne, and the earl of Oxford, a trio up to mischief as dignitaries and villagers vie for their attention.

* “Two Planks and a Passion,” Edison Theatre, 213 E. Broadway, Long Beach, Wednesdays-Thursdays, 6 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends May 8. $20. (562) 432-1818.

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FREEBIES: The Mozart Casual Co., an ensemble of two flutes and cello, appears at the Sierra Madre Public Library, 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. (626) 355-7186.

Trumpeter Dave Scott and saxophonist Tony Malaby lead their free-thinking jazz quartet at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 5:30 p.m. (323) 857-6000.