MISS SAIGON RETURNS TO L.A.

MISS SAIGON, the hit musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, returns to L.A.'s Pantages Theatre for two weeks only, June 16-27, with a cast headed by Jon Jon Briones (The Engineer) and Jennifer Paz (Kim). Both have starred in previous incarnations of the musical.

Set in 1975 during the final days leading up to the American evacuation of Viet Nam, MISS SAIGON tells the story of two young lovers torn apart by the fortunes of destiny and held together by a burning passion and the fate of a small child.

The musical is directed by Mitchell Lemsky, with the help of Jodi Moccia (musical staging). Performances are Tues.-Friday evenings at 8 PM; Sat. at 2 PM & 8 PM; Sun. at 1 PM & 6.30 PM. There will be a special weekday matinee on Thurs. June 17 at 2 PM.

Pantages, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Call Ticketmaster or visit www.BroadwayLA.org

STONES IN HIS POCKETS

Set in an Irish hamlet in County Kerry, STONES IN HIS POCKETS, follows the misadventures of two hapless lads, Charlie and Jake, who have been hired as extras in a big-budget Hollywood epic that has a quaint Irish village as its backdrop. Charlie, Jake and most of the villagers are happy to serve as local color for their sorely needed "40 quid a day."

All of the numerous characters in this Irish comedy are brought to life by two actors.

Written by Marie Jones and directed by Neel Keller, STONES IN HIS POCKETS will open June 10 at the Mark Taper Forum and play through July 18. 135 N. Grand Ave. Call (213) 628-2772 or visit TaperAhmanson.com

THEATRICUM BOTANICUM'S NEW SEASON

Two plays by William Shakespeare, followed by Dylan Thomas' UNDER MILK WOOD and Lillian Hellman's WATCH ON THE RHINE are Theatricum Botanicum's picks for its 2004 season.

"Our theme this year is 'one magical location, three brilliant playwrights, infinite reasons to enjoy,'" said artistic director Ellen Geer. "But, as always, I like to choose plays that reflect the current state of affairs in our society--plays that force audiences to think at the same time they offer pleasure."

THE WINTER'S TALE opens the season at the outdoor theatre on June 6 and is followed by A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (June 12). Thomas's famed tone poem opens July 10, Hellman's WW II drama Aug. 7. The four plays will alternate in repertory through the summer, directed by Geer, Melora Marshall and Helen Heidi Davis. Among the actors are Alan Blumenfeld, Abby Craden, Thad & Willow Geer, and Earnestine Phillips.

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 14l9 N. Topanga Blvd., Topanga. Call (310) 455-3723 or visit theatricum.com