Theaters

The Australian hometown of the late actor Heath Ledger named a theater in his honor Tuesday for his commitment to acting. The $87-million, 575-seat Heath Ledger Theater in Perth is a fitting tribute because Ledger was always supportive of other young actors, Western Australia state Premier Alan Carpenter said. Ledger died at 28 of an accidental prescription drug overdose in New York in January.

Movie theater chain AMC Entertainment Inc. said it would spend $21 million over five years to modify 113 stadium-style theaters after a federal court ruled that it violated regulations regarding accommodations for people in wheelchairs. In January, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that AMC violated regulations involving parking areas, signs, ramps, toilet location and other factors.

Sumner Redstone's family-owned movie theater circuit, National Amusements Inc., has closed a deal to unload 29 of the 35 non-core cinema assets it is selling to Texas-based Rave Cinemas. Financial terms weren't disclosed. A transaction for the remaining six -- which includes the Bridge Cinema de Lux multiplex in Los Angeles -- is expected to be finalized in the next couple of weeks. Redstone will use the proceeds of the sale to help pay off National Amusements' outstanding debt.

Talk about giving away the plot: On Oct. 19, thousands of seats will come gratis at more than 50 stage companies in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. From Ventura to Anaheim, from Venice to Upland, the national "Free Night of Theater 2006" promotion will mean freebies for 5,000 or more playgoers in Southern California; the same terms are expected to apply at 500 theaters nationwide.

Within a year, Los Alamitos could have not one, but three new theaters to call its own. Eventually, the city could have an entire fine arts and performing arts complex. And it won't cost the city a dime. At least, that's what Fine Arts Commissioner Kent Johnson has in mind. Since joining the commission about 18 months ago, Johnson, a director of musical and community theater with more than 35 years' experience, has shepherded a five-year plan for the development of arts in the city.

Millikan Middle School hopes to receive city grant money to fund construction of a roller hockey rink and several outdoor theaters on campus, school administrators said. Mayor Richard Riordan's Commission on Children, Youth and Family has recommended to the City Council that Millikan, among others, be considered for a grant. The council has the final say. If successful, the project would receive Proposition K funds, which voters approved for the improvement of park and recreation facilities.

Where can you see the films and performances that received Oscar nominations? Many are still in theaters; others are out on DVD or will be soon. Here's a list of many of the movies that made the finals Thursday. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" : In theaters "Slumdog Millionaire" : In theaters "The Reader" : In theaters "Doubt" : In theaters "Frost/Nixon" : In theaters "Milk" : In theaters "The Wrestler" : In theaters "Rachel Getting Married" : In theaters "Revolutionary Road" : In theaters "Bolt" : In theaters "The Dark Knight" : Rereleased in theaters and on DVD now "The Visitor" : On DVD now "Wall-E" : On DVD now "Kung Fu Panda" : On DVD now "Tropic Thunder" : On DVD now "In Bruges" : On DVD now "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" : On DVD on Tuesday "Frozen River" : On DVD on Feb. 10 "Changeling" : On DVD on Feb. 17 "Happy-Go-Lucky" : On DVD on March 10

The UCLA Hammer Museum's Billy Wilder Theater, which is nearing the completion of its construction, will open to the public in early December. The $26.5-million project was designed by Los Angeles architect Michael Maltzan. The Hammer's public programs, including lectures, forums and readings, are currently being held in the museum's Gallery 6. These will move to the Wilder, which was conceived as a flexible space, in December. The UCLA Film and Television Archive will move there in February.

South Coast Repertory has raised 82% of the money it needs to build a new stage and to nearly double its endowment, officials of the Costa Mesa theater said Wednesday as they broke ground on a 336-seat theater set to open next fall. David Emmes, South Coast's co-founder and producing artistic director, said at a ceremony featuring champagne, confetti and a brass quartet that he is "immensely pleased" with the progress of the $40-million fund-raising campaign, which began in late 1998.

An Ocean Park neighborhood group presented its concerns about a contentious building proposal to the Santa Monica Planning Commission this week. The proposal to change the Edgemar building from a museum to a live performance theater and increase the size of a restaurant there sparked a heated debate in the community.