Cerritos Center Announces ‘98-99 Season

Patti LuPone, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Milton Berle, Mary Black, Tango Buenos Aires and Bill Cosby top the 1998-99 season at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

Singer-entertainer Harry Belafonte will open the season with performances Aug. 21-22. Other highlights:

* Flutist James Galway, with a “Bach Sonata Tour” (Oct. 1).

* Shirley Bassey and orchestra (Oct. 16-17).

* The National Acrobats of China (Nov. 12-15).

* The New York-based Acting Company (“Twelfth Night,” April 8-9; “Tartuffe,” April 10).

The St. Petersburg Philharmonic will be led by Yuri Temirkanov and spotlight pianist Jonathan Gilad on Oct. 23. Other classical music offerings include the St. Louis Symphony (Feb. 18), under conductor Hans Vonk and featuring pianist Garrick Ohlsson, and British violinist Kennedy (formerly Nigel Kennedy) performing works by J.S. Bach, Bartok and rocker Jimi Hendrix on Nov. 22.

Mary Black (Oct. 18) will sing as part of an Irish Series, which also features Doyle’s Irish Cabaret with the Celtic Sons, Paul Hennessey and Anarine McAllister (March 13) and the Chieftains (May 1).

Milton Berle, scheduled for a “90th Birthday Celebration” Jan. 30, shares the Comedy Series lineup with Jeff Foxworthy (April 17) and Cosby (Sept. 19).

Patti LuPone (Aug. 29) will lead off a Cabaret Series, which also features Vic Damone (Jan. 16) and Michael Feinstein (March 20).

World dance and music events include Tango Buenos Aires (Jan. 9), Ladysmith Black Mambazo (March 17) and Russia’s Moiseyev Dance Company (Feb. 20-21).

The center’s annual “Colors of Christmas” program (Dec. 18-20) this year will unite Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, Oleta Adams and Christopher Cross.

Subscription packages go on sale Tuesday; tickets to individual performances go on sale later. Information: (800) 300-4345 OR (562) 916-8500