Arts Center Adds Kitt and Caboodle to New Season

The Orange County Performing Arts Center has added cabaret and Broadway-style nightclub performances to an expanded 1997-98 Founders Hall subscription season.

A center spokesman announced today that Eartha Kitt, Barbara Cook and Weslia Whitfield will headline a newly created cabaret series; Melba Moore and Carol Lawrence will star in a new Broadway Songbook series.

Also announced were the schedules for the Jazz Club at the Center, the chamber music series and a special performance by electronic composer Morton Subotnick, playing a new work in its West Coast premiere.

Concert pianist Emanuel Ax and solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie also have been booked for special performances in Segerstrom Hall.

The jazz series comprises the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, the Nicholas Payton Quintet, the Diana Krall Trio and Charlie Haden with Kenny Barron. The chamber music series includes the Emerson String Quartet and the Bartok Quartet.

Broadway Songbook Series:

* Nov. 13-16: “A Swell Party--The Cole Porter Songbook,” with Melba Moore and a cast of six.

* March 5-8: “Puttin’ on the Ritz: The Irving Berlin Songbook,” with Carol Lawrence and a cast of six.

Series tickets: $84 (on sale). Single tickets: $42 (on sale four to six weeks before the show).

Cabaret Series:

* Dec. 11-14: Eartha Kitt.

* Jan. 8-10: Barbara Cook.

* Feb. 26-28: Weslia Whitfield.

Series tickets: $116 (on sale). Single tickets: $36-$40 (on sale four to six weeks before the show).

Jazz Club at the Center:

* Oct. 17-18: Cyrus Chestnut Trio.

* Jan. 2-3: Nicholas Payton Quintet.

* Feb. 20-21: Diana Krall Trio.

* April 3-4: Charlie Haden with Kenny Barron.

Series tickets: $112 (on sale). Single tickets: $30 (on sale four to six weeks before the show).

Chamber Music Series:

* Oct. 4: Eroica Trio: Mozart’s Trio in G, K. 564; Shostakovich’s Trio No. 2; Brahms’ Trio No. 2.

* Oct. 16: Orion String Quartet: Beethoven’s Quartet No. 16; John Corigliano’s String Quartet No. 1; Ravel’s Quartet in F.

* Jan. 15: American String Quartet, with guest violist Brian Dembow: Mozart’s Quintet in E-flat, K. 614; Bartok’s Quartet No. 5; Dvorak’s Quartet in D minor, Opus. 34.

* Feb. 5: Emerson String Quartet: Beethoven’s Quartet No. 5; Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 8; Beethoven’s Quartet No. 15.

* March 2: Bartok Quartet: Mozart’s Quartet in G, K. 387; Bartok’s Quartet No. 4; Beethoven’s Quartet No. 14.

* May 12: Pianist Emanuel Ax (in Segerstrom Hall). Program to be announced.

Series tickets: $153 (now on sale). Single tickets: $24, except for Ax, $15-$60 (on sale four to six weeks before the recital).

Special Performances:

* Oct. 10-12: Electronic composer Morton Subotnick: “Intimate Immensity.” $25.

* Feb: 8: Solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie (in Segerstrom Hall). Program to be announced. $15-$40.

* May 12: Pianist Emanuel Ax (in Segerstrom Hall). Program to be announced. $15-$60. This recital also will be offered to subscribers as part of the Chamber Music Series.

Information for all series: (714) 556-2787.