BEST BETS / DECEMBER 12, 1999

MOVIES

Patrick Goldstein is a Times staff writer.

“Anna and the King,” a fact-based story about a 19th century British governess, Anna Leonowens (Jodie Foster), hired by the King of Siam (Chow Yun-Fat) to teach his 58 children. Leonowens’ experiences also inspired the musical “The King and I.” Filmed in Malaysia. Opens in general release Friday.

*

“Bicentennial Man” stars Robin Williams as an android purchased as a robot programmed to perform household chores--but this ‘droid proves to be no ordinary automaton. Directed by Chris Columbus. Opens in general release Friday.

THEATER

“La Posada Magica,” the Christmas musical by Octavio Solis and Marcos Loya about a young girl on a magical journey, returns to South Coast Repertory’s Second Stage for its sixth annual presentation. Set on Christmas Eve, it’s loosely based on the Latin American posada, commemorating Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. Opens today.

ART

In 1984, the then-fledgling Museum of Contemporary Art scored a coup by purchasing 80 pieces of Abstract Expressionist and Pop Art by nine artists from Italian collector Giuseppe Panza di Biumo. The highly regarded Panza Collection, which was last displayed at the Temporary Contemporary in 1985, will go on view today at the Museum of Contemporary Art and will include works by Jean Fautrier, Franz Kline, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Mark Rothko, George Segal and Antoni Tapies.

MUSIC

The L.A. Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella series takes over Zipper Hall at the Colburn School of Performing Arts Monday for a program of unfamiliar works by Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutoslawski, the Basque composer Ramon Lazkano--his “Bihurketak” in its U.S. premiere--and the 42-year old Texan, Edmund Campion.

DANCE

The varied, restlessly creative La Danserie collective offers a new slate of choreography Thursday through Saturday at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica. Patrick Frantz’s “Pointillism” receives its premiere, with Vanessa Jue’s “Fake Heels,” Jennifer McDonald Wilson’s “Variegated” and Sayhber Rawles’ “R.E.M.” also on the program.

JAZZ

Barbara Morrison swings jazz standards, adds soul to ballads and puts sincere feeling into the blues. Her recent release for the Chartmaker label has been well-received. The singer performs three nights this week at the Club Brasserie, starting Thursday.

VIDEO

Just five weeks after it aired on ABC, the acclaimed “Wonderful World of Disney’ version of the musical “Annie” comes to home video. Directed by Tony Award-winning Rob Marshall, this delightful, spirited fable features splendid performances by Kathy Bates, Alan Cumming, Victor Garber and little Alicia Morton as the wide-eyed orphan. The family film arrives Tuesday in video stores.

POP MUSIC

It’s been six years since Bette Midler has taken her brash brand of music and comedy on the road, so the fans should be panting when the Divine Miss Millennium Tour hits Southern California for three dates: tonight at the San Diego Sports Arena, Tuesday at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim and Thursday at Staples Center.