The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 78

F2 FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2000 LOS ANGELF.S TIMES' Morning Report ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION'S PRESS. i fit MOVIES Mission Accomplished: starring Tom Cruise and directed by John Woo, got off to a slightly better start than the original "Mission: Impossible," which also debuted the Wednesday before the Memorial Day weekend in 1996. On a whopping 3,653 screens, brought in an estimated $12.51 million on its opening day, slightly ahead of the $11.7 million the original captured (which included Tuesday night previews). The sequel's start is the fourth-best midweek debut ever and the second-best in May behind "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace," which holds the record with $28.5 million, according to Exhibitor Relations. seems to be on a trajectory similar to the first film, which grossed just under $75 million in its first six days in 3,012 theaters and eventually grossed $181 million in North America (and $284 million overseas).

TELEVISION Ollt-Foxed: Michael J. Fox's farewell yielded a highest-ever rating for "Spin City," which drew an estimated 32.8 million viewers .1141.4 ''I A Fox 1 Wednesday ABC biggest audience in that time slot since "Ellen's" coming-out episode in 1997. In the show, Fox's character was forced to resign from the mayor's office, becoming an environmental lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Charlie Sheen will replace him next season, though Fox is scheduled to make occasional appearances on the program. With "Spin" as its lead-in, "2020" attracted 19.2 million viewers, the biggest audience for a newsmagazine this year.

Despite that competition, NBC's "Law Order" closed the season on a high note with an audience of 19.5 million, the show's best results of the 1999-2000 campaign. GARY FRIEDMAN Los Angeles Times Gray's expressive, soulful singing made up for her lack of expressive moves onstage during a 90-minute performance at the Greek Theatre. Homecoming Good for Her Soul PopJVlusic Review Macy Gray returns to giving a fluid, instinctive performance, despite some unusual stage moves that don't connect with her music. back-to-basics soul movement she's linked with, adding tastes of hip-hop and a hippie vjbe to a snapping, sizzling update of Al Green's sultry, gospel-drenched Her voice is unusual, and unusually expressive thin and raspy it somehow stayed in front of her large band's arrangements Wednesday, even though it never seems powerful, and with her fluid, instinctive phrasing Gray found her own turf somewhere between Billie Holiday and Jafois Joplin. Gray the lyricist is almost as good as Gray the singer, and she took things into the shadows with "Still" and "I've Committed Murder." Balancing that side with a disarming innocence, Gray treated Melanie's "Brand New Key" as a catchy trifle, and turned the old Doris Day liit "Que Sera Sera" (perhaps inspired by $ly Stone's recorded version) into a soulful showcase for her and her three backup singers.

The encore included a teaming of Gray ctnd the Los Angeles hip-hop group Black-Eyed Peas, performing a pulsating celebration they recently recorded together. In their own opening set, the Peas were chaotic and charismatic, and in the communal hubbub the group's singer Kim Hill asserted a striking, authoritative presence in a few, brief moments. By RICHARD CROMELIN TIMES STAFF WHITER The gospel according to Gray isn't exactly a book of revelations. As delivered on Wednesday at the Greek Theatre, soul singer Macy Gray's dissertation on the spirit and the flesh rang familiar to anyone who's listened to the likes of Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Prince and other explorers of that frontier. But maybe with the exception of D'Angelo, nobody is doing it in pop music's center ring these days, and certainly no woman has ventured into these waters with the individuality and imagination Gray shows in her best moments.

Near the end of the Greek show, the singer commanded the crowd to look up into the drizzle and say hello to their maker. Then she sang her "I Can't Wait to Meetchu," in which she looks forward to the death that will bring her to him. The lyric also notes that she loves the life she's living, and the bulk of the 90-minute show explained why, especially in such candid descriptions of lust and desire as "Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak" and "Caligula" and "Gray" weren't the only four-letter words being tossed around at the Greek). The show marked Gray's big-concert debut in her adopted hometown, and she went into it with some goodwill already built up by her underdog saga. After years of frustration, she finally got an album out, and the initial critical praise for last year's "On How Life Is" was followed by a commercial momentum that took the album into the Top 10 and earned Gray a Grammy nomination as best new artist.

It's a good thing that bond was pre-sold, because at the Greek Gray was a puzzling performer. She doesn't have any of the standard techniques of projection exciting, energetic moves, an expressive face, eye contact. She pretty much stamped around the stage, at least halfway into her own world. That kind of stance can be intriguing, but in Gray's case it kept her from completing the connection that her music made with emphatic strength. Gray brings an eccentric individuality to the Stealing 'Raymond': A truck containing 9,600 Emmy-consideration tapes for the CBS sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond" was stolen Wednesday night outside a mailing house in Hollywood.

Other vehicles in the lot where the truck was parked were vandalized, according to a spokeswoman for the production company. Producers are reduplicating the tapes and hope to send them out next week, still well in advance of June 5, when ballots will be mailed to Emmy voters. "I just hope the thieves were the young demographic that we're going for," quipped "Raymond" executive producer Phil Rosenthal. Denying Perry Rumor: Representatives for "Friends" star Matthew Perry are denying reports he needs a liver transplant, which have been running like wildfire through the London papers and New York tabloids in recent days. A statement released Thursday by his publicist at Wolf, Kasteler Associates said: "Contrary to what is being reported as fact in regard to Matthew Perry's health, it is completely untrue that he needs a liver transplant.

He has been out of the hospital for a number of days and is feeling much better." The 30-year-old Perry, who acknowledged fighting an addiction to painkillers in 1997, was recently admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital with severe flu and stomach pains. Perry was released from the hospital Saturday, according to his spokeswoman. Later that day Perry wrecked his Porsche when he swerved to avoid a car on the narrow streets of the Hollywood Hills, according to police, who said at the time there were no injuries reported and no evidence of wrongdoing. The six "Friends" cast members recently signed a two-year extension to continue with the series worth more than $40 million each. MUSIC New Chorale Master: The Los Angeles Master Chorale has named its new music director: Grant Gershon, who takes over the position July 1, 2001, when its current leader, Paul Salamunovich, retires.

Gershon, 39, a pianist as well as a conductor, was born and raised in Alhambra, educated at USC and served as assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1994 to 1997, where he led the orchestra during its regular subscription season, at the Hollywood Bowl and in community concerts. Salamunovich, 71, has headed the 120-voice Master Chorale since 1991. The chorale, founded by Roger Wagner in 1962, is one of the resident companies of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County and will present six subscription concerts next season. RADIO Of Music and Gas: As expected, KROQ-FM's (106.7) annual Weenie Roast concert will be held June 17 at Edison International Field in Anaheim. The lineup, announced by the station Thursday: Limp Blzklt, Horn, Eminem, Moby, the Offspring, No Doubt, Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Stone Temple Pilots, Cypress Hill, Creed, Gods-mack, Incubus and Lit.

In observance of the late Miles Davis' birthday today, KJAZ-AM (1260) will feature the jazz great's music from noon to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. To start the Memorial Day weekend, KIIS-FM (102.7) host Sean Valentine will broadcast live from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Union 76 gas station at 17300 Vanowen St. (at Louise Avenue), Van Nuys.

The station will provide each vehicle that shows up with up to $10 worth of free gas. -JUDITH MICHAELSON 'Bear's' Cozy World Draws in Toddlers Television Nominated for an Emmy in its fourth season, the series combines nostalgia with life lessons. By ERNESTO LECHNER SPECIAL TO THE TIMliS nography so unabashedly pastoral, it makes a lot of the other animated fare aimed at kids look like Quentin Tarantino movies by comparison. And yet, it is because of its emphasis on the cozier, most comforting aspects of existence that "Little Bear" has become such a hit with kids. Based on the classic series of books from the late '50s and '60s written by Else Holmelund Mina-rik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak (of "Where the Wild Things Are" fame), the series is an anomaly in the hyperactive world of contemporary television.

Its mood is so gentle and its ico "It's a very quiet show," Toper Taylor, president of Nel-r vana Communications, the com-, pany responsible for producing', the series. "The story lines are ex- tremely simple and have a gentle atmosphere about them. Theyr create an environment that paci- fies a child and pulls him into a warm and loving environment." The most remarkable aspect of "Little Bear" is its ability to catch' the attention of grown-ups asC well as toddlers. Taylor tells sto- 'r ries of adults he's met who recite lines from specific episodes or start humming the theme song of-the series as soon as they find what he does for a living. "Sendak will tell you that he doesn't write children's books," he explains.

"He just writes books that children happen like, by creating an experience; that is universal and evokes emo- i Please see 'Little F15 Its universe draws you in, like a long forgotten scent from childhood that makes you feel right at home. A sunny place where life is experienced at a leisurely pace and innocence is regained through the healing influence of warmth and friendship. It's the world of "Little Bear," i the animated children's series on I Nick the morning program-! ming block on Nickelodeon that's designed for younger children, i For the last five years, the show has captured the devotion of preschoolersand many of their parents. With a fifth season just about ready to go, and a direct-to-video movie scheduled for release next year, the show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy this year in the best animated children's series category. Nelvana 1 Decade Makes Its Mark on Pacific Symphony Liz Smith Reliving History and Tragedy NEW YORK From the new and thriving Miramax Books imprint: Simon Schama marked the anniversary of the French Revolution with his massive work "Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution." Coming this mi .11 11 1 1 hi tober is the first of his two-part epic, I "A History of Britain." It's been made I 14 int0 a SDecia for me BBC and me His" iuiy vnaiiiit'i as wen.

morn Ross one of the world's leading safari guides wrote an electrifying article for Talk magazine about the ill-fated African expedition during which eight tourists were murdered. It became an NBC "Dateline" special and has been optioned for the movies. In the fall, Ross' book about it all, "Dangerous Beauty," will be pub Ann-Margret, Presley Orchestra celebrates conductor Carl StClair's 10th season in a concert of inspirational works that displays the ensemble's heightened powers. Music Review By MARK SWED TIMES MUSIC CRITIC There have been larger, more ambitious, more ceremonial pieces of music written than Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. But when the occasion is an especially important one, solemn or celebratory, when the need to instill a genuine sense of hope and promise is crucial, the Ninth is the inevitable choice.

The wall in Berlin falls, and Bernstein is right there with the Ninth. Earlier this month, Simon Rattle conducted the Vienna Philharmonic in the Ninth on the site of the former concentration camp in Mauthausen, Austria, in an effort by that politically troubled country to come to terms with its past. In Japan, the Ninth is a New Year's ritual. Last summer at the Hollywood Bowl, the World Festival of Sacred Music spent a day surveying the globe's spiritual music, but culminated with the Ninth. Can you guess what symphony Esa-Pekka Salonen will use to mark his return, after a year's sabbatical, to the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the fall? And so Beethoven's Ninth it was Wednesday night at the Orange County Performing Arts Center to mark the end of Carl St.Clair's 10th show of spectacle than soul.

Bernstein's prayer was warmly sung by Kyle Ketelsen, a young baritone who won third place in the Loren'L. Zachery Society National Vocal Competition the Wilshire Ebell Theater on Sunday. But this is Bernstein, at the end of his life, with one last chance to seduce God, and St.Clair doted on its sentiment. Danielpour may arrive at alleluias in "First Light," but it is the getting there with a splash of rhythmic enthusiasm that gives the score its bright character, and that is where attention was focused on this occasion as the orchestra labored, perky but not quite secure, in the many metric shifts. St.Clair led the Beethoven without a score with what seemed to be as much momentum as he could muster.

And since he is a lively conductor, he managed to muster quite a bit. The rhythmic impulse was particularly strong and imaginative; there was a modern sense to the performance of Beethoven, as if playing 6ff Danielpour's chimerical meters. The Pacific Symphony has developed notably in the richness of its sound and power under St.Clair. It is now an orchestra that can play fast and together, and St.Clair had it doing quite a bit of that. The strings sounded beautiful in the magisterial Adagio.

The brass was loud and dramatic, even when that wasn't necessary. Besides Ketelsen, the other singers were Carmen Pelton, Emily Lodine and Michael Hen-drick; the large Pacific Chorale supplied the chorus. And all sounded thrilled to succumb to. St.Clair's sunny and optimistic drive. season as music director of the Pacific Symphony.

St.Clair came to Orange County as a young conductor with Leonard Bernstein's patronage as his strongest calling card. The Pacific Symphony, only a dozen years old at the time, had just moved from a high school auditorium to the new Scgerstrom Hall. Ambition was high, and conductor and orchestra were ready to grow. Wednesday night was a time to measure maturity. To put a personal stamp on the evening, St.Clair opened with late Bernstein, his "Benediction," in a revision for baritone and orchestra that the composer made in 1989 shortly before his death.

And St.Clair followed that with Richard Danielpour's "First Light." In 1988 Bernstein had brought three young composers and conductors together, Danielpour and St.Clair among them, and Danielpour is now the Pacific Symphony's composer in residence. Speaking briefly to the audience, Danielpour noted that something stronger tied the program together, that all three works were, in a sense, benedictions. Bernstein's short score sets a Hebrew prayer for baritone and orchestra. Danielpour was inspired by a Robert Duncan poem and ends his 13-minute piece with a series of alleluias. And Beethoven famously ends his symphony with a setting of Schiller's "Ode to Joy" for chorus and four vocal soloists, which is not exactly a benediction but is at least an ecstatic call for brotherhood that some conductors interpret with spiritual ardor.

But the evening's impression was more a lished. Astute movie mavens say I wasn't quite correct in my item Wednesday about Elvis Presley's leading ladies. They point out that Elvis had his fair share of famous co-stars though the most famous were much older and not playing his romantic interest: Barbara Stanwyck, Dolores Del Rio, Angela Lansbury. Only Ann-Margret, who was on the rise in "Viva Las Vegas," and Mary Tyler Moore, who was reaching a nadir with "Change of Habit," went on to really bigger and better things after their Presley flicks. For the Record Bowl tickets Tickets to the Tony Bennett and Diana Krall concerts Aug.

4 and 5 at the Hollywood Bowl are not sold out, as indicated in an article in Thursday's Calendar Weekend. Theater address The address for Actors' Gang, where "The Square" opens July 1, is 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. An incorrect address was reported in Thursday's Calendar Weekend..