Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

MOVIES

O.C. Theatre District: The Edwards South Coast Plaza triplex, at Bristol Street and Sunflower Avenue in Costa Mesa, will be converted into a single-screen, 1,000-seat stadium-style movie house as part of a newly announced Orange County Theatre District, which also encompasses South Coast Repertory and the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

“We believe it will be the largest stadium theater in the world, certainly in California,” James Edwards III, president and chief executive officer of Edwards Theatres Circuit Inc., said Wednesday at a news conference to announce the district. Its formation is part of an effort to promote the area as an arts destination.

Renovations on the movie house, to be called the Palace at South Coast Plaza, will begin in the spring.

TV

‘New’ Sullivan Show: Taking a page from recent commercials, the UPN network will feature the late Ed Sullivan “hosting” a prime-time special in May. Through computer technology, Sullivan’s likeness will introduce contemporary acts on “The New Ed Sullivan Show.” The fledgling network also confirmed plans for a series revival of “The Love Boat” to premiere in April, with casting still to be determined.

Kids’ Fare Changes: CBS, the lowest-rated network in the Saturday morning race, will dump its entire Saturday kids’ lineup next fall, ordering six new animated programs. Five of the series--”The Dumb Bunnies,” “Guardians of the Legend,” “Franklin,” “Anatole” and “From the Files of the Flying Rhinoceros”--are based on popular children’s books. The sixth is “Birdz.” CBS said the shows will all meet FCC educational guidelines.

THE ARTS

Proposed ‘Investment’: State Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), chairman of the Joint Committee on the Arts, called Tuesday for the state to spend at least $1 per resident on the arts to “ensure that we can maintain and expand art-related industries such as film and television.” Described by Schiff as “an investment in California’s future,” the proposed SB 1373 would increase the California Arts Council’s budget from $12.7 million to $35 million.

QUICK TAKES

“L.A. Confidential” added to its accolades Wednesday when it nabbed USC’s 10th annual Scripter Award, honoring the year’s best realization of a book as a film. . . . “Hercules” star Kevin Sorbo wed actress Sam Jenkins on Monday in a private ceremony in Pacific Palisades. . . . The Rolling Stones canceled a concert in Syracuse, N.Y., on Wednesday after Mick Jagger came down with laryngitis.