OPENING
"The Belle of Amherst": Diana Carter Anderson stars in ASATAD Production's presentation of William Luce's drama about American poet Emily Dickenson, 8 p.m., Windward Community College Little Theatre. Directed by Eden-Lee Murray. Tickets $15, $13.50 seniors, $10 students, with special rates available for groups and fund-raisers. Repeats 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 9. The Feb. 1 performance will be a benefit for the People With AIDS Coalition. Call 247-6939.
Lyle the Crocodile: The adventures of a jazz loving, cat terrorizing, soft-spoken crocodile in New York City are dramatized in a Honolulu Theatre for Youth production, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Adapted by Kevin Kling from the books of Bernard Waber and directed by Peter C. Brosius. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Repeats Jan. 25. Tickets $10 adults, $7.50 for high school and college students with I.D., $5 for ages 4 to 12 and over 60. Call 839-9885.
CONTINUING
"Painting Churches": A painter on the verge of artistic celebrity agrees to help her parents move to their summer cottage, 7:30 p.m. today, Manoa Valley Theatre. Dave Donnelly, Jo Pruden and Maureen Borromeo star in Tina Howe's humorous family portrait. Repeats 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 2. Tickets $23 to $25; discounts available. Information: 988-6131.
"Twilight Crane": Shakuhachi music accompanies this Japanese tale of a bird-woman and her husband, 8 p.m. Jan. 15, Kennedy Theatre. Story explores the nature of animal and human worlds, and the conflicts from their meeting. With Emily Beth Grush, Carlos Thelin and Cora Yamagata. Directed by Tony Rivard. Repeats 8 p.m. Jan. 15 through 18 and 2 p.m. Jan. 19. Admission $7; discounts available. Information: 956-7655.
"Wild Meat and the Bullie Burgers": A Hilo girl somehow forges a strong sense of identity in a world bubbling with images that clash with her life, 8 p.m. today, Kumu Kahua Theatre. John H.Y. Wat and Keith Kashiwada adapted Lois-Ann Yamanaka's satiric novel for the stage. Repeats 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 9; no performance Jan. 26, added show 8 p.m. Feb. 5. Admission $12 general, $10 students on Wednesdays and Thursdays; other days, $15 general, $12 seniors, $10 students. Information: 536-4441.
DANCE
"A Night of Romantic Ballet": The Infinity Dance Company and the West Hawaii Dance Theatre present dances from "Romeo and Juliet," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Le Corsaire," 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Kauai's War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue. Tickets $10 general, $5 children and seniors in advance.The company performes on Maui show at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, Castle Theatre in Kahului. Tickets $18 adults, $12 children. Call 242-SHOW (242-7469), Maui.
For details on Infinity's classes in classical ballet technique, call the West Hawaii Dance Academy at 329-8876, Big Island.
Shapiro & Smith Dance: Seven-member modern dance company from New York City performs 8 p.m. Jan. 17 and 18 at Leeward Community Theatre. The premiere of a new duet, "Piano," will be performed by the company's artistic directors and founders Danial Shapiro and Joanie Smith. Tickets $15 adults; $12.50 students, seniors and military. Call 455-0385.
SPECIAL
Performance workshop: Act One Children's Theater workshop features acting, singing, dance, comedy, how to audition and more. Classes begin Jan. 21 at Castle High School Little Theatre. Call 261-0457.
"Tosca" preview: Jim Becker conducts a preview of the Hawaii Opera Theatre production at 10 a.m. Jan. 22, Honolulu Academy of Arts Theater. Admission $3. Call 532-8700.
Performing arts classes: A brochure for the winter schedule is available from Diamond Head Theatre. Classes for adults and children begin in January, with such subjects as acting, vocal technique, Broadway jazz, tap, flamenco and set design and construction.
An audition is required for Annie MacLachlan's Level II acting class for children. Tuition for the classes, which end in early or mid-March, is $80 to $125. Call 734-8763.
AUDITIONS
Show Kidz: Performers ages 7 to 16 can try out for membership 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Moiliili Community Center. Bring sheet music and prepare to dance. Call Dawe or Jade Glover at 836-1699.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream": Roles for all ages, including children, both male and female, are available in Hawaii Pacific University Theatre's production of William Shakespeare's romantic comedy. Auditions 7 p.m. Jan. 24, and 1 p.m. Jan. 25 and 26 at the Windward Campus Theatre, 45-045 Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe, will consist of readings from the script, but prepared monologues from Shakespeare are welcome. The play will run April 11 through May 4. Call the director, Joyce Maltby, at 254-0853.
Honolulu Boy Choir: Open auditions for the choir's spring season will be held Jan. 25 and 26. Membership is free and open to boys 7 through 12 years old. Musical training not necessary. To schedule an audition or for more information, call 596-SING (596-7464).