The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 78

2 Part VI Tuesday. March 21, 1989 lloa Angeles Stoma STAGE REVIEW Grove's 'Requiem' a Contender, but No KO By RAY LOYND equiem for a Heavy weight" is a play dancing Jn a clinch with its ghost MORNING REPORT Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press. FIRST OFF Randall Dale Adams, who was imprisoned for 12 years for the slaying of a police officer but whose guilt was questioned in the film "The Thin Blue Line," wm ordered released Monday by a judge In Dallas. He was to be released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond, and was expected to be freed later in the day. Adams served 12 years in a Texas prison for the 1976 slaying of Dallas police Officer Robert Wood.

Originally sentenced to death, the sentence was commuted to life in 1980, but his conviction was unanimously overturned by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on March 1. The appeals court reviewed the case on the recommendation of state District Judge Larry Baraka of Dallas, who said after a hearing in December that Adams did not receive a fair trial. The Dallas County district attorney has not made a decision whether to retry Adams. His case was resurrected with the help of New York film maker Errol Morris, whose documentary "The Thin Blue Line" strongly suggested the slaying was committed by the prosecution's chief witness, David Harris. Harris, who is on Death Row for another slaying, was not charged in the shooting of Wood.

Physically, the production is on the dank and austere side. The costumes (by Karen Weller) and the set design (Gil Morales) are unnecessarily drab. A boxing ring-shaped platform is a nice idea, but why docs the protagonist open the play taking blows in the ring from an invisible opponent? This is not the time for an abstraction. The production needs a few more smelling salts, a little less shouting, and a little more passion. At 12852 Main Garden Grove, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m., with 3 p.m.

performance April 9 and 7:30 performances March 26, April 2, through and April 15. Ends April 15. Tickets: (714) 636-7213. Jazz vocalist Carmen McRae is at the Catalina Bar and Grill. OPENINGS engrossing, not exasperating.

As the titled over-the-hill big lug, Harlan (Mountain) McClin-tock, the heavyweight 'ho came "that close" to winning the title, actor Jim Boeke is quite affecting and credibly mush -mouthed from "18 years of cuts" in the ring. Makeup designer Gary Christenscn has given Boeke a twisted eye, ear and nose job that makes you flinch. Boeke's tentative scenes with the lady employment officer (Marianne Ludwig) who tries to help him are genuinely touching. On the other hand, Boeke looks too old for the role (the toll of beatings on the character notwithstanding), and there's a glazed, puppy-dog side to Boeke's sweetness that too often suggests Lenny from "Of Mice and Men" instead of this caged fighter forced to quit the ring to save his eyesight Like Brando's in "A Streetcar Named Desire," this is indeed a role that will seem forever the property of Jack Palance's bloody figure (with apologies to Anthony Quinn's strong performance in Columbia's 1962 movie, co-starring Jackie Gleason as the manager). But Boeke's fade-out at the Gem Theater, as he leaves to fight a humiliating wrestling match in coonskin cap and mountain man cape in order to save his unworthy manager's scalp, is a raw, redeeming moment There's a flawless performance from Ree Johnson's loyal and burnished ring handler.

Johnson's dexterity and stamp of authenticity, including a comical turn as an indecisive card player, is the class portrayal of the show. NWM(liiaW him Cm from "Playhouse 90." The production by the Grove Theater Company jabs and throws a few uppercuts that do manage to buckle your legs but there's no knockdown at the Gem Theatre in Garden Grove. Rod Serling's theatrical adaptation of his 1956 "Playhouse 90" classic about a washed-up fighter and his corrupt manager adds a darker ending to the seminal tele-play. Otherwise, the stage version repeats the plot made famous by Jack Palance and Keenan Wynn on that famous live CBS broadcast the nightofOct.11,1956. Serling told this reviewer in the late '60s that he wanted "Requiem for a Heavyweight" to be his introduction to Broadway.

He died in 1975 and didn't live to see "Requiem" ever produced on a stage. (Or its failure on Broadway in 1985, where, despite a Tony-nominated performance by John Lithgow as the boxer, the play bombed and closed after three days). The play today is only a curiosity because of its lineage. Its story of betrayal and redemption is not dated, but its devices creak a lot. And the Grove's staging, by director Thomas F.

Bradac, tends to the melodramatic. The thugs and hustlers are too cartoony and Daniel Bryan Cartmell's performance as the hero's dishonest manager Maish Resnick is stridently off key. The manager's villainy should be JAZZ CARMEN McRAE (Catalina Bar and Grill. 1640 N. Cahuenga Hollywood.

(213) 466-2210). The lady's one of the undisputed queens of jazz song. 9 p.m. Also Wednesday-Sunday. MUSIC CATHERINE GAYER (Schoenberg Institute.

USC, (213) 743-7111). The Deutsche Oper soprano sings Aribert Reimann's Six Songs from "Ariel." accompanied by the composer, while pianist Axel Bauni backs her in songs by Schoenberg. Webern. Eisler, Szyma-nowski and Turcke. 8 p.m.

POPROCK LET'S ACTIVE (Ventura Theatre. 26 S. Chestnut Ventura. (805) 648-1936). "Every Dog Has His Day" is the latest offering from singer-songwriter-producer Mitch Easter's band.

8 p.m. Also Thursday at the Bacchanal. 8022 Claire-mont Mesa San Diego. (619) 560-8022. 9 Friday at Club Lingerie.

6507 Sunset (213) 466-8557. 9 p.m.; Saturday at Bogart's. Marina Pacifica Mall. 6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway.

Long Beach. (213) 594-8976. 9 p.m. ERIC BURDON (Strand. 1700 S.

Pacific TV VIDEO KSLD-TV Channel 62, the first new TV station in the Los Angeles market in years, went on the air Monday night with programming supplied by Home Shopping Network, instead of Spanish-language programming as originally announced. Station president Jack Hodin said he made the change after he was unable to secure enough Spanish programs. "The group I had a prospective contract with was simply not prepared to get started," Hodin said. KSLD will broadcast from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. until April 3, when it will increase to 24 hours daily.

Hodin said his station's Home Shopping programming is "differently packaged and presented" than that carried on Channel 46. TOM HANKS A UNfVHtSAL RELEASE tet it i Coeags iMOumooo 4teW 0MV-M0Mt AMCOwttb ((U)N)M0 COUON GCCUorc (M)JJ0H6 stars from the offbeat comedy "A Fish Called Wanda" won acting awards: John Cleese (best actor) and Michael Palin (supporting actor). Best actress awards winners were Maggie Smith, for her starring role as a spinster piano teacher in Dublin in "The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne," and Dame Judi Dench, for her supporting role as the pushy mother in "A Handful of Dust." Best original screenplay went to "A World Apart," while "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" won best adapted screenplay. Louis Malle took directing honors for "Au Revoir Les Enfants." This year's best picture Oscar nominees were ineligible because they were not released in Britain during 1988. MEDICAL REPORT Carroll O'Connor, who had been scheduled to be discharged Monday from Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after coronary bypass surgery on March 11, instead underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder Monday morning.

Later in the day, a hospital spokesman said the new surgery had been uneventful and that the 63-year-old actor had tolerated it "very well." O'Connor was taken to general intensive care and is expected to be hospitalized for another week to 10 days. He developed abdominal discomfort Saturday, and when the symptoms did not resolve with medical therapy, the surgery was recommended. Physicians said the gallbladder problem was not directly connected to O'Connor's re tfOOMOOKACN M24W OUJNOMUS Uft-ttH omv-ion in J4S ttflO WftM UCftCMfQI MOCMV-lttltt fdMKkCooiatl (rte)i tufl COtMMttt UAOami factW Arm tekCrdiMlkeii UtAKO MCUtnortl MMPuarv tWrWrp (HtjAe-JiA (M)9USi; ABC will send John Ritter's comedy series "Hooperman" on "technical hiatus" and put "The Robert Guillaume Show" in the 9:30 p.m. Wednesday time slot 4 fbc-tifcratal OwpMOOsonttiva tokiwiui muntiCr frweMMJftfrttH) VMUM MOMHOumOOO ftxit0Mi IMWMttaO (fc)WUMS (Ml M4U ftKiOK Oimmjm Coast Highway. Redondo Beach.

(213) 316-1700). The singer wrote a book last year about his experiences in the influential English Invasion band the Animals. 8:30 p.m. Also Wednesday at the Coach House. 33157 Camino Capis-trano.

San Juan Capistrano. (714) 496-8927. 8:30 p.m.; Thursday at the Ventura Theatre. 26 S. Chestnut Ventura.

(805) 648-1936. 8 p.m. STAGE "THE CARBONELL SISTERS OF OBISPO" (Burbage Theatre. 2330 Sawtelle (213) 478-0898). A Discover Series reading of a comedy by Raul De Cardenas.

7:30 p.m. Guillaume UftCACraffo Lttuademo (7U)e)M1 (e)NM DtllV)levm 03 WOOOUMHUS GCCfcJtxx (I) EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT NOW PLAYING Mill MtO MfDeej BEVERLY HILLS DAILY 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 Beverly Center Cineplex 652-7760 FRI SAT LATE SHOW 12:00 Wafck flu teademv Awards Oscsf WsdMStfay March 29 ABC WOODTAIUN KKmAIQlM HAFAKKW QANCAHflQAOTfl JUUMI NONOH TALIASKDEE 'NEW YORK STORIES IS A MUST!" IrU tlMUt. ftMelte I 4n Truw unique stories in one wry special mow picture rant irifi I NEW YORK STORIES starting April 5. Guillaume, known from "Soap" and "Benson," is cast as a divorced marriage counselor who's attracted to his white secretary (played by Wendy Phillips, who was Anne Gardner in NBC's "A Year in the Elizabeth Taylor will begin work in May on a new production of Tennessee Williams' "Sweet Bird of Youth," a $4-million Kushner-Locke Co. movie for NBC.

This will be Taylor's third starring role in a Williams production. She was nominated for Oscars for her roles in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 1958 and "Suddenly Last Summer" in 1959. Officials of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting are casting a worried glance at the sky. The satellite whose transponders relay TV signals to public radio and TV stations around the country is due to fail in 1991. So CPB is urging Congress to take action soon in order to get a replacement up and operating in time to prevent serious disruption to public broadcasting service nationwide.

Congress last year authorized $200 million to replace the satellite, but thus far it has appropriated only $56.81 million for fiscal 1991 for the project, CPB said. CPB President Donald Lcdwig said failure to receive the satellite money would "force the public broadcasting system to divert scarce resources away from programming and into satellite replacement" and that would "seriously disrupt and adversely affect public broadcasting's programming nationwide." MOVIES "The Last Emperor," last year's big winner at the Academy Awards, was named best film Sun day night by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Two cent bypass, adding that in fact, having had the coronary obstructions corrected, he could more safely tolerate the additional surgery. RADIO KGIL radio (1260 AM) on Wednesday will present 12-plus hours on "Abortion 1989: Both Sides Now," the first time the station has devoted a full broadcast day to one topic. Prom 5:30 a.m.

to 6 p.m., the regular program hosts will be talking to guests about legal issues and recent court decisions, rights of the unborn, the aftermath of abortion and personal stories of women who have had abortions. Mike Lundy, the station's director of programming and operations, said recent activities of anti-abortionists and "the changing climate on the issue were the catalysts" for the special. "We decided this would be an opportune time to really do an in-depth examination." COMING ATTRACTIONS Chow Down: When the California Restaurant Writers Assn. hands out its 21st annual awards Monday at the Century Plaza, Mayor Bradley will be on hand to proclaim it Restaurant Day in Los Angeles and declare Los Angeles "the dining capital of the world." Along with making annual wining and dining awards, the group will present $5,000 in scholarships to aspiring chefs and management trainees. ALEENE MacMINN irwoowN hwMK If ALIENS WKW If 5C0K235 II 0KWT5 'If till lift mmmrnmm ZUt i'mmmtmmm OOMT MSS TMf NEW WHEN VISITINa WWJ OtSNEY WOW.D CNt MAY 1 Gicmtm tuwoKBi KJENA VUTA HCTUUS DBTIUMmON.

DC NOW PLAYING ANTON tefuV(Mv hufcix. iwi twIIIIIN Me MM WttTlMAMnil.lt Imchlvwooi tMMrMplkM HwWM nt9w mil KMfiet ite ie 1M in dmi in ft in WllUtMIMM HI II WUH 14 III smut tr im ii in an WIMUNTm MM DiiintMt fij a wa i4t rut utMii JOBS IK WIHOUT St WB HUB tTDWI M0XUB CiVOTSMAn lUCX CDrKW SOW GDffOU TfWGOTTCU OETOWKB I WS ACt 10QUSI0 w'JJI WTCt ASC CBBl CEDHJ A13 tti tM-mr Mortiia.Lt tMLfmmmt If HI) lit UM ililiUM Meiet neiwUM awo'ic amnot eaiUJ IUjr-iiW I Ifieii AMCMar-wut ejoenClMI MMM VltMCM mmwmrmntm 1'itiWM teaim-m mommoLvnmxm imnmww mmM Htem IMW-II Cl wvmi mttmmt nui tmtUeiMt iJTirZS' K0-TIM0M IMluaOMM) WCTOKVK.Lt UHUM iMDMl temtM4 4M tHleN OOtTABflW t-ereQmnaOi M4t7t4l41 COSTA MM tneiuiw ftvaimitriMi ucimmii if mi i jn vrntmeem Pmt i L4 Hbea niIMM IJWWHMLt JI4AW tBMtl CWTWJC Ml mnmtni iruitMuw tWMlHtlMttJ OMQMCOI Jml'rni4t wtiTwoo wbl HdUTwom ctuwtott tomwuem onum imiwomn 1tiCa fMkiQMM MCCfleMfte ItMM MCMmfMl hht mmi gHMi mm i tn etut csmt mm i mv lei in mmmi im iam mmwnimmBH "vT i aiw Pwie mem i MMMI HIT I Till IMNTMTOM MACN WWHU tTUBBCnt HlH iuiKew ji4iMiit uuiiD.Li m-lM mm rmmt jurmDot miim ITsmTom uimi i k. imm cat mm IMMOi nH flMlitllit tfteitMMII OMTGLMI BBflfl MONO IA WNM rMiMW MONKS WCTOWUI iveICM ftokiulfe IsUiCeMeOta MCMStMif MIMJt toM0ian IUWM mumtiMn ifiejeVM etmwiew MA NtLtaTOH UMPMtHAOl fW.m MTCOeW fiutuk iim tiMtearmi otiwpm sMii 0mm tm trnmAmm mnuim' ummnnm nun trm-im1 mmimm BBWB II in ft I UM1III MOUl nlftiW hwPMIWWf hH mm-m mat-an wmmim WEEKEND BOX OFFICE ifieiWMI i MM Mil iriintMI LAMCATrM NlMJU MMICMtt Mwm mhm mX rm -Dlsncylanxi. -ir Weekend Gross Screens Weeks Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average in Release 1. "Fletch Lives" $jTo 1.479 (Universal) $8.0 $5.440 2.

"leviathan" $5.0 1.393 1 (MGMUA) $5.0 $3.610 3. "lean On Me" $3.6 1,107 2 (Warners) $15.9 $3.273 4. "The Rescuers" $3.6 1.446 1 (Disney) $3.6 $2.496 5. "Rain Man" $2.9 1.501 14 (MGMUA) $130.2 $1.918 Rooftops" $1.1 1.043 1 (New Visions) $1.1 $1,054 Why shodd'Headies bejDur next movie? Just askanyone whols seen it. 5 THREEFUGmVES WL BEACHES PG-I3jj ft Dtwowsat nninmt Cfl IN A LIFETIME YOU MAKE A FRIENDSHIP THAT LASTS FOREVER mnrooo Hourwooe rtoko miovoc imiww tatmbmm hokifnwi HMSaMd Mttal hi i ii mrnnmin "CO mrmk tnvuan DUMVlltW KM wnii.ie nawn IMt it' carrajun UUU CXX TOM cnrwrraTT MOUTwaae 1 amux Mon iAjm mm IK Cll 14 HI II 1WI I MiMa IXUMip "IT "I III! M.

II tm 4U-MI I Mtl4M I 7UT H)W1 mi i i tmiMmi mikiui ewuw I 1 1 MIItKHII aWMMM nximtut iwmmuii 0i araoaootuoi tmwn Imwito ww IMIMI nMN -r I nvft mm ii4imiar mrnua wuii iMMtsMiM coitoa win txioonon iiiui voonMvm.LS xu rKAtu i i me i il liUitewwavM Kf imiw Chevy Lives 'Rooftops1 Collapses The Chevy Chase name still appears to guarantee a big opening. Chase's "Fletch Lives" enjoyed the second largest opening of the year so far. behind Tom Hanks' "The "burbs." "Fletch Lives" grossed $8 million at 1.479 screens, or $5,440 per screen. That's a strong showing, considering this is a a slow time of year for the movie business. It's also slightly better than "Fletch" did when it opened in spring.

1985. Columbia's "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen." now playing on 46 screens, dropped 26 from the previous week, grossing $432,1237 for a current total of $1.2 million. The opening of "Rooftops" was not an auspicious one for the newly reorganized New Visions Pictures. The film grossed only $1.1 million, despite a wide release to 1.043 theaters. NINA J.

EASTON mim SMWt fMt 7V4M lM IMt eiin wit "IBM tin IHI MM. MAC 44lW4M CWW MhiMw vmihim waa inum tumiiNW inonui Mint Ml VMiMMCB nbii IMMinM (IHIIM-Ua LOMMiCI Ita r5 2 Watch tht Atademj Jhranh oa Oscar Wednesdaj March 23.