PLAN AHEAD: NEXT WEEKEND

* American Ballet Theatre performs mixed repertory on Sept. 14 and the full-length “Giselle” Sept. 15-16 at the San Diego Civic Theatre, 202 C St., San Diego. $15 to $100. Opening night, $175 (includes reception). (858) 459-3728.

* “The Car Man,” Matthew Bourne’s dance drama, opens Wednesday at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. $25 to $70. Ends Oct. 28. (213) 628-2772.

* “Dance: The Spirit of Cambodia” presents classical and folk rarities on Wednesday and next Thursday at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Cal State Long Beach. $15 (children) to $30. (562) 985-7000.

* “A Life in the Theatre,” David Mamet’s drama starring Hal Holbrook and Rick Stear, plays Sept. 16-Oct. 21 at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Centro Ave., Pasadena. $15-$42.50. (626) 356-PLAY.

* “Falling Upward!, or to Eire Is Human, to Forbid Divine,” Ray Bradbury’s comedy about men in a small Irish village, plays Sept. 14-Oct. 14 at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd., L.A. $25. (323) 851-7977.

* “Childhood,” a seriocomic meditation for family audiences by dance theater duo Blue Palm, plays Sept. 15-Oct. 21 at the Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. $12.50. (818) 955-8101.