THEATER/SNEAK PEEK : S.T.A.G.E. BENEFIT FOR HIV, AIDS CARE IN ITS 14TH YEAR.

Byline: - Reed Johnson 

It's the greatest show David Galligan wishes he never had to do.

This weekend, the L.A.-based director will be helming the 14th annual S.T.A.G.E. benefit (Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event) at the Luckman Theatre at California State University, Los Angeles.

As usual, the event will raise money for organizations that provide services to people living with HIV and AIDS.

As usual, a powerhouse lineup of performers is scheduled to participate, including Joely Fisher, Betty Garrett, Dorian Harewood, Shirley Jones, William Katt, Shaun McDermott, Donna McKechnie, Michelle Nicastro, Brock Peters and Roger Rees.

And, as usual, although Galligan loves working with the talent, he wishes it wasn't necessary in the first place.

``Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to do this?'' Galligan said, reached by phone between rehearsals earlier this week.

``It gets harder and harder, because so many people think they've found a cure for AIDS. Raising money for AIDS has become more difficult in the last two years, so we try and remind them through letters and through various spokespeople. But it is harder, and it's also harder in that we live in Los Angeles and there's a benefit every night. I use that term comically, but it's true.''

At 14 years and counting, S.T.A.G.E.'s benefit claims to be the world's oldest continuously running AIDS fund raiser. Some cast members have been performing in it for years, and Galligan seldom receives a ``no'' when he asks for volunteers.

This year's 2-1/2-hour show will pay tribute to Alan J. Lerner, Frederick Loewe and Burton Lane, whose songs will be interpreted in a spirit of reverent tongue-in-cheek. ``Wouldn't It Be Loverly?'' from ``My Fair Lady'' will be performed with Eliza Doolittle as a down-and-out New York street musician. ``C'est Moi,'' from ``Camelot,'' will be done ``with lots of hairspray'' and ``end up in Chippendales land,'' Galligan said. A recording is to be released later on the Varese Sarebande label.

``I think next year will probably be my last year at this particular kind of show,'' said Galligan, whose previous productions have paid homage to Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim (three times), Jule Styne, Jerry Herman, Kander and Ebb, the troika of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen and Cole Porter.

``I think we'll probably go out with Jerome Kern.''

And after that? Galligan isn't sure, but there's talk of doing a Beatles tribute.

``As time progresses I find people ask me who Lerner and Loewe is. I feel so old,'' he said, only half-kidding.

``It worries me because (musicals) are so expensive to produce. As far as I can see this is the only art form that is peculiar to America. The musical comedy is, I think, ours. I mean, jazz may be ours, too, but it's rooted in African rhythms. So I think somebody should be taking care of it.''

The Luckman Theatre is located at 5151 State University Drive. Performances are 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30, $60, $100 and $150. Call [phone] or [phone].

An encore for ``Reprise!''

The ``Reprise!'' series of staged concert musicals will open May 6 with ``Pajama Game'' followed by ``The Threepenny Opera'' Sept. 9 and the Gershwins' Pulitzer Prize-winning ``Of Thee I Sing.'' No casting has been announced. For information, call [phone].

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Photo

Photo: (1) Betty Garrett

Lined up to perform