LOS ANGELES -- Advance ticket sales for Art, opening Jan. 14 at the UCLA James A. Doolittle Theatre in Hollywood, have reached the $1.25 million mark, a record for a legit play in Los Angeles, announced the Center Theatre Group, which is producing in association with David Pugh, Sean Connery and Joan Cullman.

"While the figure is low for a musical, it certainly is a very impressive sum for a straight play," said a box office employee at the Shubert Theatre, which is the largest theatrical venue in Los Angeles.

Art, written by Yasmina Reza (and translated by Christopher Hampton), has won numerous awards since its first production in Paris in 1995. Last year it won Tony, Drama Critics Circle and Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement awards in New York.

Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina reprise their original Broadway roles in Los Angeles. The current New York cast features Joe Morton, Judd Hirsch and George Wendt.

Art runs through March 14, 1999 at the Doolittle Theatre, 1615 N. Vine St. Call (800) 447-7400.