THAT'S THE TICKET.

Byline: Reed Johnson and Fred Shuster Daily News Entertainment Writers

Book 'em, Danno.

We're not talkin' suspects, we're talkin' tickets. With the new fall season in opera, theater, dance, art and music upon us, this is the time to start planning ahead.

Now that the year's best beach days have waned, the months of September through December have traditionally been the time to rediscover the arts. And in a city as jam-packed with stuff to do as Los Angeles, the choices are as vast as the freeway system that carries us to our destination.

Another good thing about our city is the sense of informality that goes hand in hand with even the classiest occasions. In some cities, classical music or opera performances are viewed as quasi-religious events.

Not so in Los Angeles, where a relaxed atmosphere often prevails in such hoity-toity venues as the Music Center downtown. Of course, that doesn't mean T-shirt and jeans are acceptable for every event, but one can usually get by in any outfit that's neat, clean and comfortable.

Some of the seasonal highlights this fall include the musical ``Fosse: A Celebration in Song and Dance'' at the Ahmanson Theatre, the L.A. Opera's ``Fantastic Mr. Fox,'' the ``Sunshine & Noir: Art in L.A. (1960-97)'' exhibit at the Armand Hammer Museum and Cultural Center and the acclaimed New York City Ballet at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

In the popular-music world, fans are anticipating evenings with Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach, PJ Harvey, Celine Dion, Christian McBride, Massive Attack and Lucinda Williams, to name a few.

Here are some fall picks, a listing of upcoming events and forthcoming album releases.

THEATER

HIGHLIGHTS

``If Memory Serves'': Sept. 20-Oct. 25, Pasadena Playhouse - Brooke Adams stars as a former TV celebrity in Jonathan Tolins' comedy about memory, mothers and the culture of complaint. By the author of ``The Twilight of the Golds.''

``Ubu and the Truth Commission'': Sept. 25-27, Schoenberg Hall, UCLA - South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company combines original music, live actors, animation and film footage to create this multimedia updating of ``Ubu Roi,'' set in post-apartheid Johannesburg.

``The Little Foxes'': Oct. 9-Nov. 29 - Lillian Hellman's popular tale of family betrayal in the Old South, A Noise Within, Glendale.

``The Speed of Darkness'': Sept. 25, Royce Hall, UCLA - L.A. premiere of an 80-minute performance work by high-tech priestess Laurie Anderson, using the models of a theater, a mental hospital and a control room to talk about late 20th-century techno-culture.

``The Last Night of Ballyhoo'': Oct. 11-Jan. 3, Canon Theatre - Rhea Perlman and Peter Michael Goetz star in a comic drama by Alfred Uhry (``Driving Miss Daisy'') about family entanglements and Jewish-Southern culture in pre-World War II Atlanta.

``Fosse: A Celebration in Song and Dance'': Oct. 14-Dec. 6, Ahmanson Theatre - A Broadway-bound tribute to the choreographic genius behind ``All That Jazz'' and ``Chicago.''

``Putting It Together'': Oct. 22-Nov. 29, Mark Taper Forum - Carol Burnett stars in this ultra-urbane revue of Stephen Sondheim songs in a new version of the show.

``The Cripple of Inishmaan'': Oct. 28-Nov. 22, Geffen Playhouse - L.A. gets its first look at the work of Martin McDonagh, one of Ireland's most acclaimed new theatrical voices.

ALSO COMING UP

``Much Ado About Nothing'': Sept. 25-Nov. 22, Shakespeare from classical repertory troupe A Noise Within, Glendale.

``The Merchant of Venice'': Sept. 25-Nov. 8, Knightsbridge Theatre, Pasadena.

``Death of a Salesman,'' with Jack Klugman: Sept. 18-Oct. 25, first in-house production by Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre, Burbank.

``The Woody Guthrie Show'': An annual tribute to America's populist troubadour, Sept. 27, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum.

``Tainted Blood'': A combination drawing-room comedy, detective story and gothic horror tale, Oct. 2-Nov. 22, The Road Theatre Company, Lankershim Arts Center, North Hollywood.

``The Music Man'': Oct. 3-11, Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center.

``I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change'': Oct. 7-Nov. 29, Coronet Theatre.

``Damaged Care'': San Francisco Mime Troupe, Oct. 8-11, Los Angeles Theatre Center.

Comedian Rita Rudner: Oct. 10, Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University.

``Exit the Dragon'': Oct. 14-24, East West Players, David Henry Hwang Theatre.

``Dinner With Friends'': West Coast premiere of Donald Margulies' play, Oct. 23-Nov. 22, South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa.

``Another Part of the Forest'': Oct. 30-Nov. 29, A Noise Within, Glendale.

``But Not For Me'': World premiere of Keith Reddin comedy, Nov. 6-Dec. 6, South Coast Repertory Theatre.

``Of Thee I Sing'': Nov. 11-22, Part of the Reprise! series, Freud Playhouse, UCLA.

``Only a Kingdom'': Nov. 15-Dec. 20, Pasadena Playhouse.

CLASSICAL AND CHAMBER MUSIC

HIGHLIGHTS

Los Angeles Philharmonic: Oct. 8-14, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - To open the season, L.A. Phil music director Esa-Pekka Salonen will unveil his latest work, ``Gambit,'' followed by a screening of Victor Seastrom's silent film classic ``The Wind'' (1928), starring Lillian Gish, to the music of Sibelius.

Terry Riley: Oct. 9, Schoenberg Hall, UCLA, and Kronos Quartet with pianist Margaret Kampmeier - Oct. 11, Royce Hall, UCLA - An unusual opportunity to see two late 20th-century musical innovators in a two-day span. Kronos is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Arditti Quartet with pianist Ursula Oppens: Nov. 22., Caltech - The eclectic-minded group will perform a new work for piano and string quartet by Elliott Carter, America's foremost living composer, who turns 90 this year.

ALSO COMING UP

``Movie Night - On the Bowl's Big Screen'': Sept. 18, Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra: Season opener with music by Mozart, Beethoven, Barber and Ginastera, Sept. 26, Royce Hall, UCLA.

Camerata Pacifica: Sept. 27, Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks, Civic Arts Plaza.

The Bach Sonata Tour: With James Galway, Oct. 1, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

Glendale Symphony: Season-opening concert with music by Weber, Bruch and Beethoven, Oct. 3, Alex Theatre, Glendale.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: Music by Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann, Oct. 4, Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine.

Los Angeles Philharmonic: Season-opening concert with music by Poulenc, Saint-Saens and Stravinsky, Oct. 5, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Nouvel Ensemble Modern: performs Elliott Carter's Clarinet Concerto, Oct. 5, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Angeles String Quartet: Oct. 7, Bing Theatre, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Pianist Alexander Markovich: Oct. 14, Bing Theatre, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Los Angeles Philharmonic: Music by Berlioz and Debussy, viola soloist Evan Wilson, Oct. 16, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Los Angeles Children's Choir: Oct. 17, California Plaza.

Long Beach Symphony: Pianist Horacio Gutierrez, Oct. 17, Terrace Theater, Long Beach.

The Lark Quartet: Opens Coleman Concerts series, Oct. 17, Caltech.

Pasadena Symphony: Season-opening concert, all-Bernstein program with violin soloist Robert McDuffie, Oct. 17, Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

New West Symphony: Oct. 17, Fred Kavil Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Viva Klezmer: Oct. 18, Luckman Theatre, California State University, Los Angeles.

Eroica Trio: Oct. 18, Schoenberg Hall, UCLA.

Mary Black: Irish singer, Oct. 22, Royce Hall, UCLA.

St. Petersburg String Quartet: Season opening of Da Camera Society's Chamber Music in Historic Sites, Oct. 23, Doheny Mansion.

L.A. Philharmonic New Music Group: Three works by HK Gruber, Green Umbrella season opener, Oct. 26, Japan America Theatre.

L.A. Master Chorale: Nov. 1, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Pacific Chorale: Nov. 1, Orange County Performing Arts Center.

New York New Music Ensemble: Nov. 2, Bing Theatre, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Sydney Symphony: Edo de Waart conducts, Nov. 7, Royce Hall, UCLA.

Los Angles Philharmonic: Piano soloist Mitsuko Uchida. Nov. 7 and 8 Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Midori: Violinist in recital, Nov. 8, Royce Hall, UCLA; also Nov. 12, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa.

Romanesca: Chamber Music in Historic Sites, Nov. 10, Viennese Room, Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel.

L.A. Chamber Orchestra: Nov. 13, Royce Hall, UCLA; also Nov. 14, Alex Theatre, Glendale.

Kathleen Battle: The renowned soprano performs Nov. 14, Royce Hall, UCLA.

ART

HIGHLIGHTS

``Sunshine & Noir: Art in L.A., 1960-1997'': Oct. 7-Jan. 3, UCLA Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center - A large survey of the bleak artistic visions that have thrived here in the land of sun and fun.

``June Wayne: A Retrospective'': Nov. 19-Feb. 15, Los Angeles County Museum of Art - A 50-year survey of works by the Hollywood-based founder of L.A.'s Tamarind Lithography workshop, which pushed the revival of lithographic printing in the United States and brought legitimacy to all print media.

Richard Serra: Sept. 20-Jan. 3, Museum of Contemporary Art - Monumental works by the controversial contemporary steel sculptor.

ALSO COMING UP

``An Expressionist in Paris: The Paintings of Chaim Soutine'': Sept. 20-Jan.4, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

``M.C. Escher: A Centennial Tribute'': A new look at an artist whose popularity has been an obstacle to serious critical interest. Oct. 3-Jan. 3, San Diego Museum of Art.

``In the Polka Dot Kitchen'': Artists examine the pleasures of food and eating, Oct. 11-Dec. 31, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena.

``Common Threads: Navajo and Pueblo Textiles in the Southwest Musuem'': Oct. 15-Jan. 31, Southwest Museum's new location at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, in the former May Co. building.

``A Practical Dreamer: The Photographs of Man Ray'': Exhibition includes a number of outstanding works by the American expatriate surrealist. Oct. 27-Jan. 17, J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Center.

Charles Ray: Midcareer survey of the Los Angeles artist, Nov. 15-March 14, Museum of Contemporary Art.

``The Making of a Medieval Book'': Nov. 17-May 30, J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Center.

``American Photographs: The First Century'': Nov. 21-Jan. 31, Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

DANCE

HIGHLIGHTS

Ballet Preljocaj performs ``Romeo and Juliet'': Sept. 17-19, Royce Hall, UCLA - French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj's production set in a futuristic, oppressive police state.

New York City Ballet: Oct. 13-18, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa - The illustrious company performs works including Jerome Robbins' ``Brandenburg.''

Wofa - Music and Dance From West Africa: Oct. 23, Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College, Torrance - An unusual encounter with authentic tribal music from the West African nation of Guinea.

ALSO COMING UP

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico: Sept. 18-20, Universal Amphitheatre, Universal City.

Collage Dance Theatre: Sept. 25, 26, Watercourt at California Plaza.

Donald Byrd's ``Jazz Train'': Oct. 2, Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College, Torrance. Also Nov. 12-15, Wiltern Theatre.

Mark Morris Dance Group: Oct. 9, 10, Royce Hall, UCLA.

The Whirling Dervishes of Turkey: Spirituality is inseparable from movement in this ritualistic art form, Oct. 17, 18, Royce Hall, UCLA.

Donald Byrd's ``Harlem Nutcracker'': A reinterpretation of the holiday favorite by the formerly L.A.-based choreographer. Nov. 12-15, Wiltern Theatre.

OPERA

HIGHLIGHTS

``Fantastic Mr. Fox'': Dec. 9-22, Composer Tobias Picker adapts Roald Dahl's children's story about a fox battling to save his family from some vengeful farmers. Designed by Gerald Scarfe, L.A. Opera, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

``Falstaff'': Oct. 28-Nov. 14, L.A. Opera, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

``Madama Butterfly'': Nov. 3-8, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa.

MUSIC

HIGHLIGHTS

Jazz

Jim Hall/Dave Holland: Sept. 22, 23, Jazz Bakery - The cool-toned Hall, a harmonically advanced and subtle guitarist, teams up with one of the top avant-garde post-bop bassists.

Christian McBride Quartet: Sept. 22-27, Catalina Bar & Grill - Everyone's favorite young acoustic hard-bop bassist recently released a funk album.

Pop

Elliott Smith: Sept. 22, 23, the Roxy - Oscar-nominated Smith began attracting attention last year when some of his moody songs appeared on the ``Good Will Hunting'' soundtrack. He's just released his major label debut, ``XO.''

Celine Dion: Oct. 21, Forum - The French-Canadian chanteuse has never been more popular, especially since she crooned the ubiquitous ``Titanic'' theme song.

Rock

Page/Plant: Sept. 19, Hollywood Bowl - Led Zep fans will rejoice at the return of some old favorites doing new material and reworked versions of familiar tunes.

Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach: Oct. 20, Universal - This unusual but high-profile pairing will preview songs from their forthcoming album, ``Painted From Memory.''

Hip-hop

Sugarhill Gang: Oct. 9, House of Blues - These old-school rappers kicked off the hip-hop era with their 1979 single ``Rapper's Delight,'' which borrowed the break from Chic's ``Good Times'' and became a worldwide smash.

Jagged Edge/Destiny's Child: Oct. 15, Greek Theatre - Jagged Edge has been making waves on the urban scene since the February release of its debut album, ``A Jagged Era,'' which has racked up sales of nearly 500,000 copies.

Country

Lucinda Williams: Sept. 29, Wiltern Theatre - Folk-country diva Williams' resonant current disc, ``Car Wheels on a Gravel Road,'' is considered to be one of the year's best.

Lyle Lovett: Oct. 14-15, Wiltern Theatre - The eclectic and witty cowboy will preview tracks from his upcoming double-disc tribute to Texas songwriters, ``Step Inside This House.''

ALSO COMING UP

``A Tribute to Blakey, Mingus & Dizzy'': Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring the Jazz Messengers, Mingus Big Band and Paquito D'Rivera & the United Nation Orchestra.

Des'ree: Tonight, House of Blues.

The Knack/Wondermints: Sept. 18, Troubadour.

Brian Auger's New Oblivion Express: Sept. 18, the Mint.

Roy Gaines: Sept. 19, Cozy's Bar & Grill.

Phantom Planet: Sept. 19, Whisky.

Newport Folk Festival 1998: Sept. 20, Greek Theatre, featuring Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, John Hiatt, Wilco, Richard Thompson and others.

Tori Amos: Sept. 23, Greek Theatre.

Liz Phair: Sept. 24, Mayan Theater.

Creed: Sept. 25, Palace.

Jennifer Kimball: Sept. 26, Troubadour.

Crystal Method/Josh Wink: Sept. 26, Shrine Expo Hall.

Massive Attack: Sept. 27, Hollywood Palladium.

Garbage: Sept. 28, Hollywood Palladium.

Soul Coughing: Sept. 28, Palace.

DJ Spooky: Sept. 29, Viper Room.

Royal Crown Revue: Sept. 30, Palace.

Harvey Danger/Creeper Lagoon/Spoon: Oct. 1, Hollywood Athletic Club.

Bonnie Raitt/Taj Mahal: Oct. 1, Greek Theatre.

Transglobal Underground: Oct. 1, Troubadour.

Eagle-Eye Cherry: Oct. 3, El Rey Theatre.

Mudhoney: Oct. 5, Roxy.

Prince/Chaka Khan: Oct. 6, Forum.

Average White Band: Oct. 7, House of Blues.

L.A. Guitar Quartet: Oct. 10, McCabe's.

Third Eye Blind: Oct. 10, Universal Amphitheatre.

George Jones: Oct. 11, House of Blues.

Bob Mould/Varnaline: Oct. 12, Palace.

Juliana Hatfield: Oct. 13, Troubadour.

Air: Oct. 15, Anson Ford Amphitheatre.

Candlebox: Oct. 16, Palace.

Mary Black: Oct. 22, Royce Hall.

Mary Chapin Carpenter/Catie Curtis: Oct. 23, Wiltern Theatre.

Reel Big Fish: Oct. 23, Hollywood Palladium.

PJ Harvey: Oct. 24, Wiltern Theatre.

Joe Satriani: Oct. 25, Wiltern Theatre.

Gregory Isaacs: Oct. 25, House of Blues.

Bow Wow Wow: Oct. 31, Roxy.

Henry Rollins: Nov. 3, House of Blues.

Barenaked Ladies/Getaway People: Nov. 3, Universal Amphitheatre.

Skatalites: Nov. 4, Ventura Theatre.

ALBUMS

HIGHLIGHTS

Joni Mitchell: ``Taming the Tiger'' (Reprise), a haunting, lush collection of new songs; Sept. 29.

R. Kelly: ``R'' (Jive), he's still riding high after the smash ``Space Jam'' soundtrack; Sept. 29.

Sheryl Crow: ``The Globe Sessions'' (A&M), the singer's third album; Sept. 29.

PJ Harvey: ``Is This Desire?'' (Island), her jarring, blues-tinged songs are laced with electronica; Sept. 29.

Tony Bennett: ``The Playground'' (Columbia), songs designed for parents and kids; Sept. 29.

Various: ``Red Hot + Rhapsody'' (Verve/Antilles), a tribute to composer George Gershwin on the 100th anniversary of his birth with tracks by more than 20 artists, including David Bowie, Natalie Merchant, Sinead O'Connor, Luscious Jackson, Duncan Sheik, the Roots, Morcheeba and Finley Quaye; Oct. 6.

Seal: ``Human Being'' (Warner Bros.), the pop-r&b crooner's first album in four years; Oct. 6.

Shawn Colvin: the folkie's first release since her Grammy-winning ``A Few Small Repairs'' is due in October.

Beck: ``Mutations'' (DGC), the post-modern whiz-kid releases his third major-label album; Oct. 20.

Reel Big Fish: ``Why Do They Rock So Hard?'' (Mojo/Universal), the Orange County ska act does rock hard on its sophomore release; Oct. 20.

R.E.M.: ``Up'' (Warner Bros.), down to a threesome, the band is enthusiastic about this collection of new songs, their first without drummer and founding member Bill Berry; Oct. 27.

U2: ``U2: The Best Of 1980-1990'' (Island), the first greatest-hits package from the Irish superstars will initially come with a limited-edition bonus disc; Nov. 3.

Alanis Morissette: Advance information is scarce - not even the title is known; Nov. 3.

Jewel: Expect her sophomore release in November.

Bruce Springsteen: A four-CD box filled with official versions of oft-bootlegged material is due in November.

CAPTION(S):

Drawing, 5 Photos

Drawing: (Color) Cultural Oasis

Quench your thirst for the arts in L.A.

Jon Gerung/Daily News

Photo: (1) Top: Valarie Pettiford and the company perform ``Bye Bye Blackbird'' from ``Fosse: A Celebration in Song and Dance.''

(2) Desmond Richardson in ``Fosse: A Celebration in Song and Dance.''

(3) Ballet Folklorico de Mexico.

(4) Christian McBride

(5) Jorge Mester is music director of the Pasadena Symphony.