Plan Ahead: Next Weekend

* Theater. Disney’s long-awaited Broadway smash, “The Lion King,” officially opens next Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, playing Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 and 6:30 p.m., with occasional 2 p.m. Wednesday shows, through June 30. $12 to $77; special VIP tickets, $127. (213) 365-5555, (714) 703-2510.

* Dance. Elizabeth Streb’s new “ActionHeroes” pays homage to famous daredevils on Oct. 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. in the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Road, Irvine. $30 to $35. Special abridged family performance, Oct. 22, 3 p.m.: $15 for children; $30 for adults. (949) 854-4646.

* Dance. San Francisco’s notorious punk-lyric dance company, Nesting Dolls, makes its local debut Oct. 19 through 21 at 8 p.m. at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. $12. (310) 315-1459.

* Art. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents its largest exhibition ever as “Made in California: Art, Image and Identity, 1900-2000,” a survey of 20th century art and pop culture featuring more than 800 works, opens Oct. 22 and runs through Feb 25. LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Adults, $7; seniors and students, $5; children, $1. (323) 857-6000.

* Film. “Cult Movies Convention 2000,” a reel extravaganza for movie nuts, will run Oct. 20 through 22 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Among the highlights: a Bela Lugosi tribute, Troma Team exhibit and awards ceremony at which Times movie critic Kevin Thomas will receive the Cult Movie Critic of the Century Award. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (310) 324-3106.