ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

MOVIES

‘Apollo 13’ Makes One Giant Step to Imax

“Apollo 13,” the 1995 space drama starring Tom Hanks, will become the first 35-millimeter live-action film ever digitally remastered into the Imax theater format.

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Imax Corp. are behind the venture, which is expected to hit theaters in August. Other studios reportedly are engaged in talks for similar Imax relationships.

POP/ROCK

Songwriter Drops Claim Against Emilio Estefan

Grammy-winning songwriter Kike Santander dropped his claim that music mogul Emilio Estefan owed him royalties and took credit for his songs, and will pay Estefan’s companies a $1-million legal settlement, the two sides said Friday.

Estefan and his former protege said in statements released by their companies that they have dropped all claims against each other and ended their contract dispute.

“Kike feels sorry for alleging any wrongdoing on the part of Emilio or his corporate entities. Kike acknowledges that Emilio has been instrumental in the development of his career and those of many recording artists, songwriters and producers,” the statement from Santander’s Moon Red Music company said.

Estefan said Santander has no further contractual obligations toward his companies.

THEATER

SCR Announces 2002-2003 Season

New York City in the early 1900s is the setting for Richard Greenberg’s “The Violet Hour” and Lynn Nottage’s “Intimate Apparel,” world premiere productions announced Friday for South Coast Repertory’s 2002-2003 season.

Also among the five plays announced--four others will be chosen later--are “Major Barbara” by George Bernard Shaw, Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” and the West Coast premiere of “The Drawer Boy,” by Canadian playwright Michael Healey.

“The Violet Hour” (Nov. 8-24), opens South Coast’s new 336-seat space, the Julianne Argyros Stage. “Intimate Apparel” will play April 11 to May 11, 2003, on the former Mainstage, a 507-seat house that is being renovated and renamed the Segerstrom Stage.

“Major Barbara” (Oct. 18 to Nov. 17) and “Two Gentlemen of Verona” (Feb. 28 to March 30, 2003) play on the Segerstrom Stage; “The Drawer Boy” (March 21 to April 6, 2003) is on the Argyros Stage.

Also on tap are South Coast’s two holiday season perennials, “A Christmas Carol” and “La Posada Magica.”

QUICK TAKES

In an unusual move, network newsmen Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings will both anchor their evening news programs from Beirut next week, for the Arab League summit. There was no immediate word on Dan Rather’s plans at CBS.... Cher makes a return engagement on NBC’s “Will & Grace,” guest-starring as herself in the comedy’s one-hour season finale on May 16.... Influential painter David Salle will present a lecture April 2 at the USC Andrus Gerontology Auditorium.... The Distinguished Speaker Series of Pasadena has announced two coming appearances at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Maya Angelou will give an inspirational reading-performance on April 30, and Garrison Keillor will perform May 15. Tickets are on sale now.

Lisa Boone