<i> Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press. </i> : THE ARTS

‘Assassins’ Expanded: The Los Angeles Repertory Theatre Company’s hit production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins” has been extended at the Los Angeles Theatre Center for four weeks, through Feb. 12. But after nine sold-out weeks at LATC’s 99-seat Theatre 4, the musical black comedy will be open to a much greater audience. Beginning Jan. 17, the production will move to the LATC’s 498-seat Tom Bradley Theatre.

Soprano’s Square: Milan, Italy, home of the famed La Scala opera house, honored soprano Maria Callas on Wednesday when it renamed a new square after the diva. “It’s only right that a figure who gave so much to Milan and its people is still remembered with such affection,” said Mayor Marco Formentini. The new square, named Largo Maria Callas, is close to the city’s center and a block away from Via Puccini, named after the noted Italian composer. The U.S.-born Callas, who was first lady at La Scala from 1950 to 1961, died in 1977.

TELEVISION

Battle of the Doctors: In a rematch of their showdown earlier this season, TV’s two new medical dramas, “Chicago Hope” and “ER,” are going head-to-head again. NBC will rerun the two-hour “ER” pilot on Jan. 2 at 9 p.m., the same night that CBS is moving “Chicago Hope” to its new Monday at 10 p.m. slot. “ER” trounced “Chicago Hope” when the series were both on at 10 p.m. Thursdays during their premiere weeks. “Chicago Hope” currently airs Thursdays at 9 p.m., while “ER” has stayed in the 10 p.m. slot. NBC officials said the rematch is “coincidental,” and that the “ER” pilot rerun has been long planned.

Where Everybody Knows His Name: It’s Homer Simpson meets “Cheers” when several cast members of the former hit series--including Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt--make guest voice appearances on Sunday’s “The Simpsons.” In the episode, Homer gets banned from Moe’s bar and visits several potential new hangouts, including one with several familiar faces.

Coming Attractions: CBS will air “The Best of ‘Taxi,’ ” a 90-minute retrospective look at the classic TV series, at 9:30 p.m. on Monday. Marilu Henner hosts the special and will share memories with her former co-stars Tony Danza, Danny DeVito, Judd Hirsh, Carol Kane, Christopher Lloyd, Rhea Perlman and Jeff Conaway. . . . Cable’s Comedy Central will salute the 25th anniversary of Monty Python with a weeklong “Python-a-thon” from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2. Highlights include German TV specials that have never before aired in the U.S., new interviews with troupe members, and a New Year’s Eve presentation of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” . . . Director Michael Moore’s “TV Nation,” NBC’s comedic magazine show that drew critical praise but low ratings during its brief stint last summer, will return Dec. 28 with an hourlong “Year in Review” special.

MOVIES

Holiday Screenings: Though Orion Pictures has no plans, at present, to re-release the little-seen “Blue Sky” in the wake of the L.A. Film Critics best actress prize awarded Saturday to its star, Jessica Lange, the movie will be part of a year-end holiday roundup shown by Laemmle Theatres. Billed as a second chance for viewers to catch movies that “will probably surface on 10-best lists and critics polls” the roundup includes 11 a.m. screenings Dec. 23-Jan. 5 (excluding New Year’s Day) at two Laemmle theater complexes. Showing each day at Santa Monica’s Monica 4-plex: “Blue Sky,” “Where the Rivers Flow North,” “Vajna on 42nd Street” and the Gypsy music film “Latcho Drom.” Playing daily at West Hollywood’s Sunset 5: “Eat Drink Man Woman,” the civil rights documentary “Freedom on My Mind” and Henry Jaglom’s “Baby Fever.”

LEGAL FILE

Superstar Adulation: For the second time in two months, a Los Angeles man has been charged with trespassing at pop superstar Madonna’s Hollywood home. In October, Robert Wasserburger, 28, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and placed on probation for trespassing there. This time, he faces charges of both trespassing and probation violation. In a similar case, Todd Michael Lawrence, 26, was sentenced in August to a year in jail after pleading no contest to trespassing at Madonna’s residence last July 19.

QUICK TAKES

Musician David Crosby, 53, was released Tuesday from UCLA Medical Center following a Nov. 20 operation to replace a liver damaged by years of alcohol and drug abuse. A hospital spokeswoman said his outlook is considered good. . . . Computer-generated art by Grateful Dead lead guitarist Jerry Garcia will be exhibited today through Tuesday at the Gene Sinser Gallery, 331 N. Larchmont Blvd., to coincide with Grateful Dead concerts at the L.A. Sports Arena, tonight, Friday, Sunday and Monday.