CalRep previews season

The California Repertory Company brings to its stages this season a gamet of traditional and modern musical and theatrical performances.

The 1994-95 program includes the world premiere musical "Bird of Quintain," Shakespeare's tragedy "Macbeth," the Christmas tale "An O. Henry Christmas," a new comedy "CEO" and the romantic adventure "Cyrano de Bergerac."

CalRep is the professional arm of the Cal State Long Beach theater department and features students in the master's of fine arts program.

The premiere of "Bird of Quintain" will kick off the new se ason in the University Theater on Sept. 24 and will run through Oct. 22.

The musical, by Howard Burman, CalRep's artistic producing director, is based on the life of Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly alone across the Atlanic in 1932, said Davi d Gray, CalRep's director of publicity. Earhart vanished in 1937 along with her navigator, Frederick J. Noonan, as they attempted to fly around the world.

Sheri Nichols stars as Earhart and Robert Baker stars as her husband and promoter, G.P. Pu tnam, Gray said.

"Macbeth," Shakespeare's saga of a Scottish King and his conniving queen, opens Oct. 7 and runs through Oct. 29 in the Studio Theater. This play, as well as the others left on the program, have yet to be cast, Gray said.

As its Christmas presentation, CalRep will perform "An O. Henry Christmas," a play based on the short stories of O. Henry, the pseudonym of William Sydney Porter. Henry is best known for his simple stories with surprise endings. The play, also written by B urman, will be performed in the University Theater, Dec. 2 to17.

"CEO" is a new comedy by Fernac Molnar that focuses on a chaotic day in the fast-paced world of a corporate leader. The play will be presented Feb. 10 through March 4 in the Universit y Theatre.

Edmond Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac," a play about an elegant and poetic, long-nosed swordsman, is the final production and runs April 21 to May 13 in the Studio Theatre.

Performances run Wednesdays through Sundays in their resp ective theaters, which are located in the Theater Arts Building, between East and West Campus, on 7th Street.

Season ticket subscriptions can be purchased for $50 and single tickets are $15. For performance times and more information, call the CalR ep box office at (310) 985-7000.