WHAT'S HAPPENING\FILM.

Byline: Bob Strauss

Birds of a feather: The venerable French drag farce "La Cage aux Folles" gets a fine feathered facelift with "The Birdcage." Directed by Mike Nichols ("The Graduate") and scripted by his old stand-up partner Elaine May, this literally laugh-a-minute remake is both faithful to the original and cleverly Americanized.

Did we mention that it's also perfectly cast? Robin Williams plays the Miami nightclub owner whose star female impersonator and longtime companion (Nathan Lane) is the most effeminate of neurotics. To put even more stress on their volatile relationship, Williams' son announces that he's engaged - and his intended's father, a right-wing senator (Gene Hackman), and mother (Dianne Wiest) are coming to visit.

The gay couple's effort to act straight for the meeting is a source of much amusement, but the up-to-the-minute political satire is just as humorous. Yes, "The Birdcage" is an unabashed plea for tolerance and acceptance of all lifestyles. But the main point here is that laughter is a great antidote to prejudice.

Saintly fare: Choosing to hold its St. Patrick's Day celebration tonight instead of the 17th is St.Moritz, the Swiss-continental restaurant in the Toluca Lake Tennis Club facility at 6711 Forest Lawn Drive, Toluca Lake.

From 5 to 9 p.m. the St. Moritz kitchen will be dishing up corned beef and cabbage with boiled potatoes as part of a prix-fixe dinner priced at $17.50 per person.

For those who prefer fish, fresh Lake Superior whitefish with lemon butter and capers is available.

A bouquet of vegetables will be served with both entrees.

The meal begins with such greenery as a spinach salad or split-pea soup and will end with green creme de menthe pie and coffee or tea.

Patrons may also order dinner from the regular St. Moritz menu.

Reservations: [phone].

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PHOTO

Photo (1) Cho-Liang Lin performs Christopher Rouse's Violin Concerto tonight with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Tickets range from $6 to $58. (2-3) This Japanese bronze Koro in the form of a sleeping cat from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) will be among the items featured at the Arts of Pacific Asia Show at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Among the items on display at the show, which begins today, is this Japanese Noh theater mask from the Edo Period. (4) "The Birdcage" updates "Le Cage aux Folles" with Nathan Lane, left, and Robin Williams in the title roles. (5) Steven Sennett and Darlene Kegan star in "Idle Wheels," a play about a dysfunctional family's life in a cramped Alaska trailer.