British composer George Stiles may not have the name recognition of Andrew Lloyd Webber, but the American Musical Theatre of San Jose plans to bring him some more American attention with the U.S. premiere of his musicalization of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers. Dianna Shuster directs the romantic thriller, running March 9-25, 2001.

Stiles took home the 1999 London's Olivier Award for the music in Honk! and already saw the American premiere of his Rudyard Kipling adaptation, Just So Stories, at the Goodspeed Opera House. His collaborators on Musketeers are Paul Leigh (lyrics) and Peter Raby (book). The musical placed second in the 1997 International Competition for Best New Musical held in Denmark.

The Barry Manilow musical, Copacabana, will make its West Coast premiere Jan. 9-28, 20001. Based on the Grammy Award-winning song of the tangled romance between showgirl Lola, bartender Tony and the evil Rico, Copacabana will launch a 40 week national tour beginning June 17, 2000 in Pittsburgh.

Also planned for AMT in 2000-2001 are the season opener, Victor/Victoria (Oct. 27-Nov. 12, 2000) and the Bay Area premiere of Singin' in the Rain (May 18-June 3, 2001).

Subscriptions to the season are available by calling (408) 453-7108. -- By Christine Ehren