Cerritos Center

* Theater. International City Theatre's 15th anniversary season opens Feb. 11 at Center Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach with Michael Frayn's backstage farce "Noises Off," playing Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 5. $25 to $35; opening night, $40; with reception, $60. (562) 436-4610. * Theater. Gold Coast Plays presents Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd," with Amanda McBroom and George Ball, opening Feb.

Doudou N'Diaye Rose and the Drummers of West Africa have canceled their Jan. 20 performance at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts because of logistical problems. They will perform there as scheduled Jan. 21. Ticket holders for the Jan. 20 performance may transfer their tickets to the Jan. 21 show or obtain refunds. Information: (800) 300-4345.

The cast of performers may change, but the annual "Colors of Christmas" show at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts has become a familiar seasonal event, its individual elements as predictable as the arrival of Santa Claus. On Thursday, for example, in the opening performance of a four-night run, the show once again featured Peabo Bryson, who has starred in every "Colors" presentation since 1992.

Heart is rarely noted as an influence on contemporary female rockers. Not like Chrissie Hynde or the Runaways. But back in the '70s, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson at the band's creative core were forcefully taking on Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith with a blend of hard rock and acoustic torch songs.

Michael Crawford put on a great show at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts ("Crawford Skillfully Mines Range of Musical Material," by Don Heckman, Aug. 16). Songs from "Phantom of the Opera" ("Music of the Night", "All I Ask of You") as well as other favorites, such as the spiritual "On Eagle's Wings," the rousing "Don't Let the Parade Pass Me By" and the touching "Scarlet Ribbons," all interspersed with funny behind-the-scenes stories, captivated the crowd, which gave him a standing ovation.

The Orange County area's swankier concert houses are trolling for that prize box-office catch, the well-heeled baby boomer. To lure it in, along with some younger, rock-loving brothers and sisters from Generation X, the Irvine Barclay Theatre and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts are experimenting by booking rockers who emerged in the '70s, '80s and '90s. Pat Benatar, a dominant figure on the charts during the '80s, will play the Barclay's first full-on rock show Sunday.

Tenor Jose Carreras, comedians Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, country's Willie Nelson, pianist Ivo Pogorelich, rockers Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart and the Dance Theatre of Harlem headline the wide-ranging 1999-2000 season at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Michael Crawford, Broadway's original "Phantom of the Opera," will open the season Aug. 13 with a concert performance. Other highlights: * Singer Tom Jones (Aug. 27-28). * Soprano Kathleen Battle (Oct. 20).

Tenor Jose Carreras, comedians Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, country's Willie Nelson, pianist Ivo Pogorelich, rockers Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart and the Dance Theatre of Harlem headline the wide-ranging 1999-2000 season at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, announced Sunday. Michael Crawford, Broadway's original "Phantom of the Opera," will open the season Aug. 13 with a concert performance. Other highlights: * Singer Tom Jones (Aug. 27-28). * Soprano Kathleen Battle (Oct. 20).