PLAN AHEAD: NEXT WEEKEND

* Madonna kicks off the first of four sold-out L.A. shows on Sept. 9 as her “Drowned World” tour arrives at the Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., L.A. Other dates are Sept. 11, 13 and 14. $45 to $250. (213) 742-7340.* The Fountain Theatre presents Maria Bermudez in “Sonidos Gitanos/Gypsy Flamenco” on Sept. 7, 8 and 9 at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. $30. (323) 461-3673.

* “Spinning Into Butter,’ Rebecca Gilman’s play about political correctness at a small private college plays Sept. 8 through Oct. 7 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. (949-497-2787.* Reprise! Broadway’s Best’s production of “1776,” the Sherman Edwards-Peter Stone musical about the Declaration of Independence, plays Sept. 4-16 at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse, Westwood. $55 to $60. (310) 825-2101.

* “New Brain,” the musical by William Finn and James Lapine, has its L.A. premiere Sept. 8 through Dec. 16 at the West Coast Ensemble, 522 N. La Brea Ave., L.A. $30. (323) 525-0022.

* “Milton Glaser: Art is Work,” runs Wednesday through Sept. 22 at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, 2525 Michigan Ave., G-1, Santa Monica. Free. (310) 586-6488.