Briefly in Datebook

Symphony offers Lukas Foss series

The Pacific Symphony Orchestra will host a weeklong series of concerts,

previews, educational events and a free symposium with American composer

Lukas Foss from Tuesday through April 30.

The composer’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and No. 2 will be performed by the

symphony at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursdayat the Orange County Performing

Arts Center. Foss will appear at the preview talk at 7 p.m.

Symphony music director Carl St.Clair will conduct the concerts, with Jon

Nakamatsu and Yakov Kasman -- Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

winners -- as soloists.

On Tuesday, Foss will take part in a free symposium, which is open to the

public, at Founders Hall at The Center. That evening, students will

participate in an orchestra rehearsal. Other events will take place at

the University of Southern California and Cal State Fullerton.

Concert tickets are $18 to $50 and may be purchased through TicketMaster

at (714) 740-7878 or at the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s box

office, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

For more information, call (714) 755-5799.

SCR now rehearsing ‘The Beginning of August’

South Coast Repertory has begun rehearsals for its world premiere of “The

Beginning of August,” which runs April 28 through May 28.

The play by Tom Donaghy, author of the hit “Minutes for the Blue Route,”

looks at the American family in transition. The play stars Jeff Allin,

Todd Lowe, Mary McCann, Geoffrey Nauffts and Barbara Tarbuck with Neil

Pepe directing.

Tickets are $18 to $45 with discounts for students, seniors and groups of

15 or more. A “pay what you will” performance will be at 2 p.m. April 29.

South Coast Repertory is at 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. For more

information, call (714) 708-5555.

The Center announces new cabaret series

The Orange County Performing Arts Center has announced its 2000-01

cabaret season, which will include performances by six singers and actors

who have worked on Broadway and in other musicals throughout the world.

The Cabaret Series in Founders Hall begins with Broadway Hall of Famer

Barbara Cook from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. She has won the Tony, Grammy and

Drama Desk awards and has recorded eight original cast and live concert

albums.

Next on tap is Australian David Campbell from Nov. 2 to 5, praised for

his performance in Stephen Sondheim’s “Saturday Night.” The series

continues with Kristin Chenoweth from Jan 18 to 21, who stole the show in

recent revival of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” three-time Tony

Award-winner Audra McDonald on Feb. 24 and 25 and Faith Prince from March

8 to 11, who won a Tony for her role as Miss Adelaide in the revival of

‘Guys and Dolls.”

Closing out the series is Keely Smith on Nov. 24 and 25, a swing-era

singer who has been dubbed the Queen of Swing.

Subscriptions to the entire series are $190 to $210. Tickets to Smith’s

performance are $54. The Center is at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

For more information, call (714) 556-2746.