LOS ANGELES -- Direct from Las Vegas, the musical THE RAT PACK will be mounted Jan. 13-18, 2004 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. It was the press that dubbed Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra the rat pack. Throughout the 60s they worked their magic, making squares feel hip and even warming the coolest of cats. They threw a party that lasted ten years--and there hasn't been one like it since. Relive the music, the comedy and the life style that made them legendary.

The Las Vegas Review Journal said, "The quality new arrival indeed captures the happiness of an era that many consider as Vegas' zenith. Times have changed, but the show is worth a look."

Kodak Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Call Ticketmaster or visit www.kodaktheatre.com

* * *

STARLIGHT EXPRESS ROLLS INTO TOWN

LOS ANGELES -- Andrew Lloyd Webber's STARLIGHT EXPRESS will roll into Hollywood for a limited 16-performance engagement at the Pantages Theatre, Jan. 27-Feb. 8.

Webber and fresh young Broadway talent David Yazbek (composer & lyricist of The Full Monty) have updated the musical's score, which includes music of nearly every genre--pop, rock, rap, blues and even country and western.

The all-new production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS features state-of-the-art technology, red-hot music, dazzling sets and costumes by John Napier. The show's set centers around a "half-pipe" and a lighting & sound effects system with more than 1,400 colors, pyrotechnics, lasers and optic effects combining to transform the roller-skating performers into wildly careening trains, each with its own personality.

Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. Call Ticketmaster at (213) 365-3500 or (714) 740-7878 or visit ticketmaster.com

* * *

BAZ LUHRMANN'S LA BOHEME CHECKS INTO AHMANSON

LOS ANGELES -- Baz Luhrmann's critically acclaimed production of Puccini's LA BOHEME will open Center Theatre Group's 37th season at the Ahmanson Theatre, running Jan. 18-March 7. This is the only U.S. enggagement scheduled for this production, which is being remounted just for L.A.

Considered by many to be the greatest love story ever, LA BOHEME tells the story of the doomed love affair between the seamstress Mimi and the writer Rodolfo set against a world of bohemian Paris. The new Broadway production, set in 1957, will be sung in the original Italian with English subtitles.

Luhrmann's production of LA BOHEME premiered in Australia in 1990 and became the biggest hit in the history of the Sydney Opera House. The production moved to Broadway on Dec. 8, 2002 and played through June, 2003, becoming the first opera ever nominated for a Best Musical Revival Tony Award.

The L.A. production features a multinational cast of young opera singers, with principal roles being performed alternately by multiple casts.

"When Puccini and his librettists created LA BOHEME, opera was actually the popular entertainment of the day," said Luhrmann. "With our cast of young singers, we hope to tell this story in a way that will appeal not only to the people who love Puccini's music, but to the younger audience who may never have seen an opera before. It's always our job as storytellers to re-enliven that story."

Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave. Call (213) 628-2772 or visit TaperAhmanson.com