Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

STAGE

Whoopi-ing It Up: The consensus? Yes, a funny thing did happen on the way to the forum. Whoopi Goldberg drew rave reviews for her debut Thursday night in Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” with the New York Times’ Ben Brantley saying she “marked her claim to the territory of [Broadway’s] St. James Theater like a cat taking over a chair in an unfamiliar apartment.” And Newsday’s Linda Winer-Bernheimer called Goldberg “altogether charming, genial, respectful enough of the material. . . . She is a pro, an original.” The critics--impressed by the ease with which Goldberg slid into a role that won many Tonys for both of her male predecessors, Zero Mostel and Nathan Lane--were even willing to overlook her less-than-perfect singing skills, with the Associated Press’ Michael Kuchwara, for instance, noting that “although Goldberg has a small singing voice with limited range, she gets by on charm, talking her way through some of [Stephen] Sondheim’s trickier lyrics without missing a beat.” Goldberg’s ad-libbing was also appreciated, including the insider’s line: “What am I gonna do with that old white man? I’ve got one at home”--a reference to her well-publicized romance with actor Frank Langella.

TV Stars on Stage: Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf of “Roseanne” fame will join most of the original cast of Justin Tanner’s “Pot Mom” in six performances of the award-winning comedy, as a $50-per-ticket benefit for the Cast Theatre, April 11-13 and 18-20. That original cast also includes French Stewart of “Third Rock From the Sun,” Mary Scheer of “Mad TV” and Laurel Green, who just won the L.A. Drama Critics’ Natalie Schafer Award for outstanding upcoming comic actress. Ellen Ratner also returns in the title role. Performances will be at the Cast-at-the-Circle Theatre in Hollywood.

TV & RADIO

Fox Moves: Fox has renewed “Party of Five,” its Wednesday night drama that has recently graced the covers of several national magazines including People and TV Guide, for a full 22-episode fourth season. The network has also given a vote of confidence to its Friday night time-traveling series “Sliders,” which was to go off the air later this month to make room for “Lawless,” a new drama starring Brian Bosworth and Glenn Plummer. Because “Sliders” has gained viewers in recent weeks, the network will keep the series on, moving “Lawless” to Saturdays at 9 p.m., starting March 22. That will pair “Lawless” with “Cops,” which will air only at 8 p.m., and “America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back,” which cuts back from an hour to a half-hour and will air at 8:30 p.m.

The 411 on Real Estate: Century 21 has launched “Real Estate USA,” billed as the first national real estate call-in show. The live two-hour program, hosted by syndicated real estate columnist Ilyce Glink, offers information on topics including buying, selling, trading up, renovating, new construction, credit and financing. The show airs locally on KWPA-AM (1230) on Sundays from 7-9 a.m.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Opera Pacific Appointment: Orange County’s Opera Pacific has named John DeMain as music director, a new position created by general director Patrick L. Veitch, whose predecessor handled both roles. DeMain, a former director of the Houston Grand Opera, led Opera Pacific’s inaugural production in 1987. He is also director of the Madison Opera and Madison Symphony in Wisconsin, positions he will retain concurrent with his Opera Pacific post.

QUICK TAKES

Country singer Garth Brooks will be named “Blockbuster Artist of the ‘90s” during the third annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, airing Tuesday on the UPN network. . . . KABC-AM (790) talk radio host Larry Elder will fill in for Geraldo Rivera all next week as guest host on CNBC’s “Rivera Live” (weekdays, 6-7 p.m.). . . . Although it won its 10 p.m. time period, NBC’s new cop drama “Prince Street,” in a preview Thursday, slipped well below average ratings for “ER” repeats. In addition, more than 1.8 million homes tuned out from the first to the second half-hour, though the program still was watched by more than 16 million people. The show shifts to Wednesdays next week, when “Law & Order” begins a monthlong run in “ER’s” time slot. . . . Popular stand-up comics including Kevin Meaney, Wendy Leibman, Cathy Ladman and Judy Gold started production this week on a ‘90s version of the classic game show “Make Me Laugh,” scheduled to air this summer on cable’s Comedy Central. . . . L.A. Philharmonic Managing Director Ernest Fleischmann has received the Republic of Germany’s Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit in recognition of his life’s work. The award was presented in Los Angeles Friday by the German consul general. . . . A Reno judge has dropped robbery, drug and false imprisonment charges against Victor Willis, the “cop” from the ‘70s group the Village People. Authorities couldn’t find his accuser, Sonja Howard, but a prosecutor said the charges could be refiled. . . . AIDS Project Los Angeles has postponed its April 3 fund-raising gala, “A Ten Year Commitment to Life,” for later in the spring to accommodate the schedule of volunteer performers. Already-purchased tickets will be accepted when the event is rescheduled. . . . Academy Award nominee “Secrets & Lies” is due out on home video on April 29.