Before Forever Tango, there was Tango x 2, an evening of dance and music returning to Los Angeles, and to New York as part of the 1997-98 City Center season. Tango x 2 opens Sept. 16 at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre (6233 Hollywood Blvd.) for a limited two week engagement ending Sept. 28. Tickets ($22-$48) are now available at the theatre box office or by calling (213) 365-3500.

The Argentinean dance revue was created in 1988 by Miguel Angel Zotto and Milena Plebs, stars of Tango Aregentino. They are joined on-stage by Natalia Games & Gabriel Angio, Carlos & Alicia and Erica Boaglio & Adrian Aragon. The show has had several seasons in Argentina and has toured Germany, Spain, Columbia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, France and Greece.

Musical director and bandoneon player Daniel Binelli leads Julio Grana and Oscar Ruben Caffieri on violin, Jorge Rutman on piano, Leonrado Martin Keledjian on double bass, Marcelo Chiodi on saxophone and flute and Oscar Gonzalez on bandoneon. Singer Roxan Fontan joins the band to accompany the dancers in this production "that explores the history of the art form in all its elegance, humor and eroticism." Costume are by Zotto, Plebs and Renata Schussheim with lighting by Colette Barni.

Tango x 2, a hit last year at New York's City Center, returns Nov. 18-30. Also returning to City Center is Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert. Three rarely heard musicals, to be announced by the end of the year, will be given staged readings in the fifth season of this popular series. The concerts are scheduled for Feb. 12-15, March 26-29 and April 30-May 3.

For tickets or more information on all City Center events, call (212) 581-1212. --By Laura MacDonald